Porubsky’s, iconic Topeka deli known for chili and hot pickles, closes after 75 years in business

Right after 75 yrs in business, an legendary Topeka deli recognized for its chili and incredibly hot pickles has shut.

It can be the finish of an era for quite a few Topekans.

April 30 was the very last day in company for CW Porubsky’s Deli and Tavern in North Topeka’s Tiny Russia local community, Cecelia Pierson advised The Funds-Journal on Thursday.

Pierson co-owned the fabled eatery with her siblings, Charlie Porubsky Jr., Matt Porubsky, Teresa Thomas and Mark Porubsky, all of whom are 65 or more mature.

“We respect all the folks who have supported us over the decades, but anything has to come to an close, and we all just resolved we’re receiving weary,” she claimed.

The enterprise at 508 N.E. Sardou Ave. place a one-paragraph announcement of the closing on its Fb site Friday.

“The Porubsky spouse and children would like to thank every single client who shared foodstuff, laughs, and love with us,” it mentioned. “We are grateful to have had the opportunity to serve you. We will overlook you. Time for us to hang up our aprons and set up our ft.”

Because of to the COVID-19 pandemic, Porubsky’s had used most of the past two many years serving buyers carry-out only.

Rep. Vic Miller, a friend of the loved ones and Kansas Home member who ate lots of occasions at Porubsky’s, claimed Thursday he felt unfortunate it experienced closed.

“Unfortunate that I is not going to get to enjoy the chili or pickles once again, unfortunate that I is not going to get to take care of new friends to a genuinely unique encounter, and unfortunate that the community will no for a longer time delight in their extremely own deli and grocery,” he mentioned. “But as sad as I am, I can only smile that I was so lucky to get to know each and every member of the Porubsky household as properly as I did and enjoy so lots of fantastic reminiscences of my situations there. God bless them all.”

‘An outdated-fashioned type of place’

Porubsky’s co-house owners are the kids of Charles Porubsky, who opened it in 1947, and his spouse, Lydia Porubsky. Charles Porubsky died in 1998 and Lydia Porubsky in 2008.

The cozy, little 40-seat eatery was flavored by a snug but vibrant smaller-town environment, which attracted a lunchtime group of laborers and professionals alike.

Tale carries on

“It truly is just an previous-fashioned variety of area,” Leon Cochenour informed The Funds-Journal in 2003.

The spotlight of Porubsky’s recipe for good results was its well known chili, designed from scratch during the chilly-climate months since the 1950s.

Porubsky’s can make “the finest chili ever,” Connie Chatham told The Capital-Journal in 2003.

“I could eat it just about every working day,” she stated.

Porubsky’s was also recognized for its hot pickles.

“I just open the jar and it clears my sinuses,” Debbie Mercer explained to The Money-Journal in 2019.

Porubsky’s upstairs portion featured a tiny, two-aisle grocery retailer with an aged-fashioned meat counter.

A couple of steps underneath it on the lower level was the deli and pub spot, which contained booths, lengthy tables and bar stools.

Shoppers utilised plastic knives, forks and spoons. All payments had to be manufactured by cash or verify.

Porubsky’s partitions ended up adorned by framed newspaper content articles about the business enterprise and autographed pictures of past Porubsky’s buyers, such as retired baseball Corridor of Famer George Brett and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran.

There were being also photos of previous Kansas governors Robert Docking, Robert Bennett, John Carlin, Mike Hayden, Joan Finney, Monthly bill Graves, Kathleen Sebelius and Jeff Colyer, as very well as latest Gov. Laura Kelly.

Porubsky’s wealthy heritage was the topic of a documentary manufactured by Matt Porubsky, son of co-operator Matthew Porubsky, who financed its creation via grants and donations.

The film came out on DVD in 2009 and was titled “Porubsky’s: Transcendent Deli.”

It was demonstrated at Topeka’s Hollywood 14 Theaters.

Tim Hrenchir can be reached at [email protected] or 785-213-5934.

Porubsky’s legacy remembered

Topekans, present-day and previous, took to Fb to share their memories of Porubsky’s the well-liked deli that announced its long lasting closing Thursday. These are some of all those shared on The Money-Journal Facebook web site.

This posting at first appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Porubsky’s, Topeka diner acknowledged for chili, incredibly hot pickles, closes for superior