Loyal supporters of Pancer’s Original Deli rejoiced when we reported that the iconic Bathurst St. restaurant was back in family hands and reopening.
It’s been a month and a half since the restaurant re-opened, co-owner Lorne Pancer is elated by the number of regulars who have returned for corned beef and pastrami. “Everyday we have people coming in from Oakville, from Ajax, Pickering, from Orillia,” he said. “I had a guy in from St. Catharines this morning, and another from Windsor that came in to pick up some meat.” He’s interrupted as a lady comes running down the hall to greet him. “It’s so good to have you back. We missed you,” she said.
Lorne Pancer’s grandfather Moe Pancer opened the deli in 1957. It left family hands when it was sold in 2010, recently shutting down after a disappointing run. Lorne along with his brother Michael and other family members saw the opportunity to reclaim the space and bring it back into the Pancer fold. Michael’s son Julian (Ciao Wine Bar, Stock at the Trump Hotel) was appointed executive chef.
The 52-seat restaurant was given a slight facelift, especially the new kitchen equipment. The original deli’s wall was covered with an endless collage of press clippings, celebrity and family photos. Pancer indicated that he’s working on bringing back that nostalgic charm in the near future.
“We’ve seen a wave of people come in every day. Some new faces, many regulars, and they all want the staples,” Pancer said as we stared at the deli’s chalkboard menu. The Pancers made very few changes to the menu, focusing on family recipes to create a menu of Jewish comfort foods. All the classic hits are back: corned beef, pastrami, roast beef, smoked meat. All available in bulk or in sandwich form. The meat tray ($11.50pp) is a popular item Pancer says. The party platter comes with an assortment of meats, cole slaw, potato salad, pickles, peppers and bread.
A new addition to Pancer’s Original Deli’s menu is the OMG The One Pounder ($19.95), a hunking pastrami sandwich served with fries and coleslaw.
While Julian is busy working on summer menu items (yet to be announced), Lorne Pancer is currently working on licensing the restaurant for alcohol. “My favourite beer is Kozel, we’ll have that along with some other fan favourites,” Pancer said. ”We’ll carry several local beers and wines as well.”
And when I asked if there’s a second location in the work, he smiled. “We are entertaining something downtown,” Pancer replied. “I’m thinking College near Ossington or we’re thinking maybe St. Clair. We’ll see, we need to find the right space.”
