Introducing: Baju, Zane Caplansky’s laid-back barbecue joint at The Monarch Tavern
(Image: Gabby Frank)
Name: Baju BBQ
Contact Info: 12 Clinton St., 416-531-5833
Neighbourhood: Little Italy
Owners: Zane Caplansky (best known for his eponymous deli and food truck) and The Monarch Tavern’s Michael Dorbyk
Chefs: Dan Green and Kyle Wyatt, the duo behind pop-up culinary collective Mise En Place
The Food: Baju ascribes to the “Meat and Three” philosophy, which holds that barbecue is best enjoyed along with a trio of equally filling side dishes. At Baju, pulled pork, sliced brisket, spicy Texas sausages and dry-rubbed ribs can be combined with heaping servings of beans, collard greens, cornbread or deep-fried mac ‘n’ cheese nuggets. It’s a simple, soul-infused menu that doesn’t try to rewrite the classics. Explains Caplansky, “This is driving down a country road in Kentucky and finding a great shack that makes ribs, where that’s all they do. We’re keeping it simple.”
The Drinks: Diners can pair their meals with one of the bar’s 16 craft beers on tap. Or make it a real trip down to Dixie by choosing from over 30 brands of bourbon.
The Place: Baju is located on the second floor of the historic Monarch Tavern, which first opened its doors in 1927. Not much has changed since then, though the former men’s social club now caters to a diverse group of barflies, students and darts aficionados. “There’s history soaked in the carpets,” says Caplanski. In other words, it’s the perfect location for a straightforward, unpretentious barbecue joint.
299813 <b>Baju BBQ</b> is located on the second floor of the historic <b>Monarch Tavern,</b> just south of College Street on Clinton. (Image: Gabby Frank) Introducing: Baju https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-17-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-17.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants/slide/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-17/ baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-17 0 0
(Image: Gabby Frank)
299812 <br />
The name "Baju" isn't a blend of "Cajun" and "bayou" like we first thought. Rather, it's an entirely made-up word, which, according to Caplansky, “means whatever you want it to mean.” Not even the staff agree on its proper pronunciation. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-18-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-18.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants/slide/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-18/ baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-18 0 0
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299822 The Monarch's kitchen space is small to be sure, but it's much roomier than Caplansky’s popular food truck.<br /> https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-08-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-08.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants/slide/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-08/ baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-08 0 0
299821 Ribs are smoked for 12–14 hours, but once they're ordered, delivery is swift. “We live by the principle that the rib goes directly from the smoker to the plate," says Caplanksky. “It never gets held, refrigerated or reheated.” https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-09-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-09.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants/slide/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-09/ baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-09 0 0
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299825 Sour and savoury deep-fried pickle chips come with a side of homemade ranch dressing ($5). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-05-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-05.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants/slide/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-05/ baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-05 0 0
299824 Spicy Texas hot links ($9/$17). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-06-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-06.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/food/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants/slide/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-06/ baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-06 0 0
299826 The decadent, deep-fried "Colossal Onion" was heavily inspired by Outback Steakhouse's classic "Bloomin' Onion" (albeit renamed to avoid potential lawsuits) ($7). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-04-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-04.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants/slide/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-04/ baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-04 0 0
299827 The “Meat and Three” platter lets customers build their own meal ($18). The platter pictured here includes beef brisket, cornbread, baked beans and deep-fried mac ‘n’ cheese bites. Meats can also be ordered by the pound and half-pound. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-03-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-03.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants/slide/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-03/ baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-03 0 0
299828 Fries are also an option, of course ($4/$9). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-02-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-02.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants/slide/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-02/ baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-02 0 0
299816 Ribs, pulled pork and brisket come to the table naked, allowing diners to choose from Caplanksy's three barbecue sauces: original, spicy and Carolina https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-14-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-14.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants/slide/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-14/ baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-14 0 0
299817 Mill Street Brewery's Tankhouse Ale is one of the few permanent draughts on the Tavern's 16-strong tap list. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-13-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-13.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants/slide/baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-13/ baju-monarch-tavern-toronto-restaurants-13 0 0
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Explains Caplansky, “This is driving down a country road in Kentucky and finding a great shack that makes ribs, where that’s all they do. We’re keeping it simple.”
Oh please Zane. Your deli is mediocre and I can only imagine this BBQ joint will be the same.
Looking forward to have another taste at that mouth-watering brisket. Strongly recommended!
you must work for Zane.. his food is crap!
You must work for a rival… because who has such a self-important attitude that anyone that likes something can’t simply have different taste than you and 2: Who takes the time out to bellyache the way you do?
Didn’t Caplansky’s Deli first get its start at the Monarch?
Yes & it was just as bad as the College street location
How much was Toronto Life paid for this piece of propaganda? did they even attend this fiasco of an eatery ….Caplansky is smoking something other than meat with this disaster…burnt fries,,,brisket drier than sawdust…what were they thinking with the cardboard tableware – i’ve seen better food presentation at a junior school fundraiser … nine staff – one outside smoking, one counting his money at the table and no one to answer questions … oh and lets not forget the bartender – she was burning incense … this ain’t barbecue – its an insult to any laid back barbecue joint ever opened … eating my money would have tasted better…
He makes the best liver and onion though!
Zane is so full of himself…literally. Just look at him! His fried chicken is mediocre, and everything else on the menu is just blasé. Look at the junk in the pictures. Who would pay exorbitant prices for southern US styled food for working class people.
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