Comments on: Oliver and Bonacini to take over Shopsy’s downtown spot

By: Jen A

Jen A — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:22:59 +0000

O&B isn’t italian… and will be wayyy better than Shopsy’s just you wait! And Yes Biff’s is an alternative but its owned by the same company O&B… will be a great place… look forward to all the local business they will be stealing from the rest of Toronto :)

By: BT

BT — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:34:28 +0000

I don’t know about being forced out….. as far as I know the landlord didn’t want to renew the lease with the current owner. End of story. No lease, no restaurant.

By: Local Quickfixx – July 23 | Spotlight Toronto : Musings

Local Quickfixx – July 23 | Spotlight Toronto : Musings — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:18:09 +0000

[...] Source; Toronto Life [...]

By: E.T.

E.T. — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:33:09 +0000

It’s sad to see yet another classic Toronto institution forced out. Sure, Shopsy’s wasn’t the fanciest of places with the city’s most avant-garde fare. But it wasn’t trying to be that. It’s where you went for an inexpensive but reliably good home cooked style meal. Such places are few and far between in our grand city these days.

Shopsy’s continued to be busy until its final days. So what if a few posters here didn’t like their food. Thousands of other Torontonians did. The most heartbreaking part of the Shopsy’s closure story is that dozens of its Front Street employees no are without jobs. I can think of at least 10 off the top of my head who worked there for over 15 years.

I know this because I was an employee 10 years ago. I spent over 2 years with the crew and while working there wasn’t always easy (it was busy, fast-paced and manic at times), it was always rewarding mostly due to the familiar smiles of regulars and the encouraging smiles of the enduring staff. I continued to frequent the establishment long after my days of employment and often was greeted with grins from those with whom I’d worked back in 1998. The list of those who served over 10 years of time at Shopsy’s included kitchen staff, bartenders, servers and bussers. In an industry where the average employee’s term is usually shorter than the lifespan of a fruit fly, it is clear something about Shopsy’s kept many staff happy.

I had the pleasure of meeting the new owners a couple of years ago, long after my days as an employee, and I can’t say enough good about them. They seem like gracious, fun-loving operators, who seemed to genuinely care about their staff and patrons. Perhaps they were aides in keeping the long term staff on board even longer.

Either way, it pains me to see Shopsy’s go. I respect O&B and acknowledge they have put a solid impression in the food industry in the GTA but I feel it was a dull move on their part to ambush the little local deli meat hero. It’s like a reverse McDonald’s syndrome is taking over the city. On every corner are these highish end bistos that really all are doing the same thing at the cost of a pretty penny. In this economy we need our tried and true Shopsy’s platters!

I will miss you and your greasy but great latkes, Shopsy’s!

By: don

don — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:48:33 +0000

the food never was as good as the real Shopsy”s..Lets hope they get rid of the 2 stairs at the entrance and make it accessible.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:40:54 +0000

Isn’t the Old Spaghetti Factory on The Esplanade and not Front? And what about Biffs as an alternative? I’ve always had great food and service there. Now, mind you, I’ll be happy if another great option opens up!

By: TODotFoodie

TODotFoodie — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:43:24 +0000

oh yeah, steve. so common. compared to sandwiches, which are very rare in this city.

By: steve

steve — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:31:31 +0000

ANOTHER LAND MARK GONE I CANT BELIEVE THAT SHOPSY’S IS GONE SO SAD AND YES I AGREE NO ONE CAN COPMPARE TO SHOPSY’S OLD SCHOOL FEELING
I AM SO SAD TO SEE IT GO
I DONT THINK I CAN EVER GO TO THE NEW RESTERAUNT I MEAN ITALIAN THERE ARE TOO MANY
THAT FOOD IS SO COMMON
UGH

By: KRS2

KRS2 — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:36:30 +0000

Shopsy’s had an awesome lunch take out menu. Under $8.00 for a sandwich, drink, and salad. You could change it up a bit and still be under $8.00.

Long Live Shopsy’s.

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:30:03 +0000

They’ll never be better that Shopsy’s!!! $7 for a great meal!

By: Josh

Josh — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:49:45 +0000

This area has no shortage of patios, but the food generally comes deep-fried after arriving at the kitchen in a giant pail. A Firkin at the Flatiron – seriously?

Can’t wait to eat some decent food next summer spring in the sun. If anyone can make this spot work, it’s O&B!