Caplansky's Deli or Reggie's Sandwiches ??

[james t kirk]

So I'm watching this restaurant show on Rogers last night cause it's friday and I worked something like 80 hours last week and I fell asleep at 6 pm after losing a bid, then woke up and the TV is on, and my contacts are in welded to my eyes, my clothes are on, and I don't know where I am, nor even what day it is, or if I've missed some meeting. Christ I hate when that happens. But ths restaurant show is on......

Gradually, it all comes back to me. Phew.

Anyway, so I am watching this restaurant show and they do this bit on Caplansky's Deli on College Street

http://caplanskys.com/

And I'm thinking, hmmm, that looks GREAT. Love a good Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich. Driving to Swartz's is usually out of the question and I'm watching this and thinking - yay, a Jewish Deli in Downtown Toronto, not too far from where I live? Fuck, I'm there.

So today I google it and there are these review sites that allot people post on - like TERB I guess, and allot of posters are saying it's shit. So now I'm disappointed.

Now I know what you're thinking - take one for the team, it's only 15 bucks for a sandwich and fries, it's not like some SP in the back of NOW for $200 for an hour here.

Well, yeah, you'd be right. I will take one for the team, but I was wondering if any other mongers have been to this place and could give me the skinny on it.

I know there is also Dunn's on King at John which is pretty good, but something about Dunns makes it ok at best. Can't really put my finger on it. Maybe cause it's such a huge restaurant. Dunno.

And then, while I'm googling Caplansky's I come across "Reggies Old Fashioned Sandwiches" Hmmm, looks good. AND THEY ARE OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY!!. There are times when man can not stomach another bowl of noodles at 2 a.m. at Swatow (yes, that's me by myself at that table fucking with my blackberry until my noodles come - working late again and starving and feel like eating) and the only place that I can think of that is open is The Grill on the Queensway and Swatow and Swatow usually wins.

So, Reggies.......

http://www.reggiessandwiches.com/

Anyone been there?

If so, what's it like?

I need a good sandwich at 2 a.m. sometimes.

 

[kojak]

I've been to Reggie's once and I didn't think that it was all that great. Definitely nothing that would bring me back there, unless it's late and nothing else is open.

 

[luckyjackson]

I've been to Caplansky's...but it was on Clinton, in the Monarch tavern. I didn't know they had a place on College.

They made me wait a long time for the sandwich. I found it pricey for what you get...but it is good. Avoid the "lean" meat choice. If you're going to sin, do it right.

I'd probably only return if I was REALLY craving a smoked meat sandwich, considering it's right next door to the best sandwich Toronto has to offer.

 

[Insidious Von]

I don't know about Capalnsky's but Yitz's on Eglinton west of Avenue Rd is very good. There's nothing better than their pastrami on rye with a bowl of borsch on a cold winter's day.

http://www.yitzs.ca/

 

[luckyjackson]

I've been to Yitz's too. I agree it's good.

 

[WhaWhaWha]

Wolfies on 670 Sheppard Avenue West
Get the regular smoked meat sandwich with a Latke or the Knish on the side.
The sandwiches are piled so high he gives you two extra slices of bread so you can split off the meat into two sandwiches if you prefer.

 

[Questor]

I've never tried any of those. Thanks for the suggestions. Just looking at the menus, Reggies looks better than Caplinsky's but kojak and luckyjackson suggest otherwise. Caplinsky's location is much more convenient for me too.

I've read good reviews for California Sandwiches, which is Italian rather than deli style. Anyone tried it? http://californiasandwiches.ca/menu.htm Its at Claremont north of Dundas. More or less in Little Italy.

 

[luckyjackson]

Actually, I didn't say Caplansky's is better than Reggies, since I've never tried the latter. I just said the sandwich was good.

California sandwiches is excellent. Way better than Caplansky's, I didn't compare the two because they make such different sandwiches. But my favourite is a steak sandwich from the original San Francesco's on Clinton, right next door to the Monarch Tavern, where you can also get a Caplansky sandwich.

 

[Questor]

Actually, I didn't say Caplansky's is better than Reggies, since I've never tried the latter. I just said the sandwich was good.

I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. You said Caplansky's was good. Kojak said Reggies was not so good. Based on that, I'd go to Caplansky's.

California sandwiches is excellent. Way better than Caplansky's, I didn't compare the two because they make such different sandwiches. But my favourite is a steak sandwich from the original San Francesco's on Clinton, right next door to the Monarch Tavern, where you can also get a Caplansky sandwich.

But based on this, I think I'll try California Sandwiches before either of the other 2.

Too bad Mel's on Bloor closed down. It had a decent smoked meat.

 

[luckyjackson]

Get the veal.

 

[LiveInTorontoPartyInMontreal]

http://www.dunnsfamous.com/montreal_smoked_meat.htm

1249 Metcalfe , Montreal
Skip the sandwich.... get the platter ! Mmmm !

 

[shack]

Anyway, so I am watching this restaurant show and they do this bit on Caplansky's Deli on College Street

yay, a Jewish Deli in Downtown Toronto, not too far from where I live? Fuck, I'm there.

So today I google it and there are these review sites that allot people post on - like TERB I guess, and allot of posters are saying it's shit. So now I'm disappointed.

Now I know what you're thinking - take one for the team, it's only 15 bucks for a sandwich and fries, it's not like some SP in the back of NOW for $200 for an hour here.

Well, yeah, you'd be right. I will take one for the team, but I was wondering if any other mongers have been to this place and could give me the skinny on it.

Allow me to get back on topic.

I was weaned on pastrami and corned beef and I was intrigued seeing this Jewish deli right next to San Fran's Clinton every time I went for a veal, which is pretty often.

I was quite disappointed. It was salty as opposed to spicy and it was a bit on the dry side. Consistency was pretty good, but I don't think the portion was as big as advertised. Price was reasonable ($15 seems a bit high, from what I recall, but I may be wrong). The saltiness reminded me of the corned beef that comes out of a can with a picture of a head of cattle on it, I think it was Argentinian.

For frame of reference, Pancer's pastrami has been the gold standard in my family for as long as I can remember and I still go there regularly. The original Shopsy's (cafeteria style) on Spadina was always a special treat. And finally, if I'm in the area, Centre Street Deli makes an awesome smoked meat sandwich, that is very juicy and has the extra feature of being hand cut. I'm only mentioning these, not necessarily as recommendations, but as comparisons to my Caplansky's experience.

Never tried Dunn's or Reggie's.

 

[thonglover]

Take it from a real foodie:

Veal Sandwich - Vinny's Panini 787 Dupont St, way better than California

Pastrami/Smoked Meat - either The Stockyards 699 St Clair Avenue West, Toronto - (416) 658-9666 (crazy amazing ribs, but only cooked 3 days a week. Pastrami is unreal, but call ahead to make sure they have it. Sells out in minutes.) or Pancers on Bathurst, north of Wilson on the west side.

Burrito - Burroti Boyz on Adelaide. Get the Halibut. I know, Halibut in a burrito? You're life will never be the same!

Bagel - Go to Bagel World on Wilson and get the "everything flat bagel" Out of this world.

Pizza - Vesuvio on Dundas in the Junction or Dantes up in Vaughan.

Japanese Ramen Soup = Kenzo Ramen Japanese Noodle House, 138 Dundas St. W. (at Elizabeth St.),

Any other food suggestions?

 

[Questor]

Get the veal.

That gets a double D...Done and Delicious.

Take it from a real foodie:

Veal Sandwich - Vinny's Panini 787 Dupont St, way better than California

Hmmmm...on my TDL. I already scoped it out on google maps.

Pastrami/Smoked Meat - either The Stockyards 699 St Clair Avenue West, Toronto - (416) 658-9666 (crazy amazing ribs, but only cooked 3 days a week.

I've been looking for a new ribs place. I'm tired of Baton Rouge, even though they do a good job on ribs, the sides are terrible.

Pizza - Vesuvio on Dundas in the Junction or Dantes up in Vaughan.

Okay, I'm game. I've been eating Gigi's on Harbord for years. I was tempted to try vesuvio but its signifiantly more expensive than Gigi's. But now I will give it a try.

Any other food suggestions?

Nope, but can you recommend a good gym. I going to have to lose some weight.

 

[HOUND_DOG]

Did not enjoy Caplanskys, even their old place was better. Overly salty, and very little meat in sandwich, well overpriced. Yitz's is so much better for corn beef. Just tried Stockyards, and their pastrami is good.

 

[shack]

Take it from a real foodie:

Veal Sandwich - Vinny's Panini 787 Dupont St, way better than California

Pastrami/Smoked Meat - either The Stockyards 699 St Clair Avenue West, Toronto - (416) 658-9666 (crazy amazing ribs, but only cooked 3 days a week. Pastrami is unreal, but call ahead to make sure they have it. Sells out in minutes.) or Pancers on Bathurst, north of Wilson on the west side.

Burrito - Burroti Boyz on Adelaide. Get the Halibut. I know, Halibut in a burrito? You're life will never be the same!

Bagel - Go to Bagel World on Wilson and get the "everything flat bagel" Out of this world.

Pizza - Vesuvio on Dundas in the Junction or Dantes up in Vaughan.

Japanese Ramen Soup = Kenzo Ramen Japanese Noodle House, 138 Dundas St. W. (at Elizabeth St.),

Any other food suggestions?

WTF does this have to do with JTK's question? Unreal.

 

[james t kirk]

WTF does this have to do with JTK's question? Unreal.

Oh, I don't mind. Food reviews are always interesting.

The verdict on Caplansky's definitely is split.

Too bad.

Dunns is pretty good smoked meat - the closest I've ever found to Montreal in T.O.

BTW, I'm also a big fan of Moe's in the Airport in Montreal. Excellent smoked meat sandwich. Of all the restaurants in airports I've had the displeasure of eating at, I love Moe's. Smoked Meat is excellent and the price is pretty good.

BTW2, I live close to Vesuvio's and I'm not that much of a fan. It's good, but not great and it is expensive for a pizza. Meh, would be my review, but I've found that good pizza is almost impossible to find in Toronto.

Was recently in Denver. Food there was SHIT.

 

[69Shooter]

For frame of reference, Pancer's pastrami has been the gold standard in my family for as long as I can remember and I still go there regularly.

I'll second the Pancer's pastrami recommendation

 

[doubledown]

caplansky's is overhyped, i had the smoked meat and found it too salty and tough. you can't do anything about salty but the meat cutter could use some lessons. i also asked for fatty, but it was a bit too lean so that doesn't help either.

one good thing, the fries were amazing, but that's not why i was there.

 

[sting]

Take it from a real foodie:

Veal Sandwich - Vinny's Panini 787 Dupont St, way better than California

Pastrami/Smoked Meat - either The Stockyards 699 St Clair Avenue West, Toronto - (416) 658-9666 (crazy amazing ribs, but only cooked 3 days a week. Pastrami is unreal, but call ahead to make sure they have it. Sells out in minutes.) or Pancers on Bathurst, north of Wilson on the west side.

Burrito - Burroti Boyz on Adelaide. Get the Halibut. I know, Halibut in a burrito? You're life will never be the same!

Bagel - Go to Bagel World on Wilson and get the "everything flat bagel" Out of this world.

Pizza - Vesuvio on Dundas in the Junction or Dantes up in Vaughan.

Japanese Ramen Soup = Kenzo Ramen Japanese Noodle House, 138 Dundas St. W. (at Elizabeth St.),

Any other food suggestions?

Hey Thong lover,

I love Dantes pizza, but I've never really found Vesuvio's that great. Am I missing something? What do you order from Vesuvio's?