Closed ’till Nov 27
I’m very sorry to report that due to overwhelming demand, Caplansky’s dive bar deli will be closed until Thursday Nov 27. Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience this may cause and know that it hurts me more than you – if that’s any consolation.
It seems like we’ve been hit by a “Perfect Storm” of media coverage starting with the Toronto Life and followed by Now Magazine, Joanne Kates’ Globe and Mail review, Blogto.com and finally the National Post on Friday. We’ve simply been selling too much too fast and the current batch of meat simply isn’t properly pickled. It takes three weeks for our meat to be properly cured and we’ll need until Thursday to get back to that level.
In my wildest dreams I never imagined we’d be this busy. Its gotten to the point where the kitchen simply can’t make food fast enough and I’ll have to accelerate plans to move to larger digs. I pray customers will bear with us and be patient in this time of growth.
All of that being said, I confess that a few days’ break will do wonders for the mental and physical health of my staff and myself. Once I put out a proper sign on the door, I’ll be busy cleaning my place and my car and might even get to the gym for the first time in ages. Although I consider myself a hard worker, I have never worked with the kind of intensity of the last 6 months. I love what I do but I’m only human and the incident with my back last week indicates I need some balance in my life. I hope you’ll understand.
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Those of us who truly appreciate what you have brought to Toronto will always understand and be grateful for someone who would rather close than sell inferior product. You’ve got to take care of yourself. We want to bring our hypothetical children to enjoy smoked meat one day.
November 23rd, 2008 at 2:16 am
Thanks for the heads up! I strolled in today around 2 p.m and the place was packed! So I thought I’d wait ’til later in the day, and I saw your sign that you’d run out of food! While sad about missing my weekend dose of awesome, I’m thrilled it’s been going so well. Whatever you do in terms of a new digs, don’t stray too far from where you’re at! A little selfish, because I don’t live too far from you, but I needs me my sandwich fix! See you Thursday.
November 23rd, 2008 at 11:12 am
You will be shocked to read that I agree with Carolyn.
I’m sure it’s got to be stressful for you right now… but like she said, you’ve got to take care of yourself. And as insanely busy as you’ve been, I shudder to think of the lineups you’ll have when you re-open. Smoked meat withdrawal can be a tough thing to have!