Lox + Schmear
1030 St. Clair Avenue West M6E 1A4 Toronto, ON, Canada

Sunnnnnnnnnnnnnny cookiesssssssssss. Brave the collllllld before the snowwwwwwww comessssssssssssssssssss. Loooolllllllll. See you until 1!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY NATIONAL BAGEL DAY! While I really can’t help you celebrate today (useless, I know), I sure can help you celebrate tomorrow . Go online and get your orders in before i close up this evening. Ready for some bagel history?! Did you know that the bagel arrived in the US with Jewish immigrants from Poland in the late 19th century? Before it was topped with cream cheese and lox, it was a street food- stacked up on poles or hung from strings (the hole makes sense ...now right?). As Jewish people immigrated from Europe to North America, lots settled in Toronto and Montreal, creating a distinct style of bagels unlike the New York bagel. Eventually, the bagel lox and cream cheese became the quintessential Sunday morning staple as we know it today. Bagels are iconic! Pair it with the best smoked salmon (ours!!!!!) and you’re ready to celebrate any occasion or just life. Information courtesy of @jewishfood. Amazing drawing by @magpieprints. #bagels #montrealbagels #jewishfood #noshthis #bagelsloxandcreamcheese See more

WHAT A YEAR THIS WEEK HAS BEEN. Bless the sun for coming out today and giving us light (I feel like I haven’t seen the sun in many days). This is your reminder that the online store is open until tomorrow evening and is for pick up on Sunday! If you don’t want to commit to a pre-order, we will have lots of items available for walk ups (this is not a guarantee for ALL items). Shabbat Shalom. #sunshine #smokedfish #thinsliced #handsliced #smallbatchfishsmoking #montrealbagels #torontofood

I hope this image brings some joy to you today. If a bagel with lox and schmear makes @rick_the_hedgehog this happy, maybe it will do the same for you! I’m reminding myself that we will have better days ahead, but in the mean time, feed yourself well!

I really don’t have anything great to say today so here’s a picture from different times. What are you doing to keep yourself happy? Is it even possible to be happy these days? LOL. Clearly I’m in a funk. Let’s all be miserable together?! Okay great! Online store is open. Maybe that’s the good news?!?! Ya, I’ll stick with that. @snax.nguyen #seasonaldepressionisreal #coviddepressionisreal #itssocold #itsokaynottobeokay #wompwompwomp

Morninggggggg. Got a fresh batch of house made black and whites available for ya this morning, in addition to having plenty extra bagels, lox and schmears! Come on by! Will be here until 1:00pm! #blackandwhitecookies #loxandschmear #smokedfish #classiccookie #seinfeldcookies

Day 7456765428567 of covid you’re welcome for the reminder. It’s doesn’t have to be day 7456765428568 of the same old Lox + Schmear. The options are endless with what you can do with this food. Take @snax.nguyen for example look at what they do with L+S goodies! You can do it too! Plenty of stuff online to order for pick up on Sunday. No time like the present to spend the money you may/may not have lol. I can’t think of a better place to spend it than here! LOL @snax.nguyen #loxandschmear #fishoneverything #supportsmallbusiness #blahhhhhh #postingishard #imsotired

Yep, it’s true. If you’re not eating chips on your smoked fish chowder, you are not doing it right! Grab a litre of chowder, give it a zap in the microwave (lol the word zap or heat stovetop), grab your fave bag of chips (we sell some too) generously top with said chips and eat! It’s cozy and comforting and has CHIPS. You can’t really do this wrong.

I’m so tiredddddddd. Lol. What is good anymore? What is life? Will this ever end? Why is it so bleh out. I have so many more complaints but maybe I should keep them to myself. Wah wah wah. YOU KNOW WHAT IS STILL GOOD? All the goodies that I’ve put online, all ready to be assembled in the comfort of your own home while staying safe (some items don’t even need assembly just put in your oven and then eat!). You can still eat well and enjoy the small things when you order Lox + Schmear. I’ve added a few more items (some new, some old) for your eating pleasure. Go get! @rowanoakcatering

Hey Y’all! I’ve put this announcement off for as long as possible, but unfortunately the time has come for me to make some adjustments to Lox + Schmear’s pricing. As you all know, the cost of everything is rising/ has already gone up (and I think it’s safe to expect it to continue to rise even more in the coming year). The cost of fish is the highest I’ve ever paid in the almost 5 years I have been in operation (I literally just signed off on my fish delivery and can’t belie...ve the prices this week). The cost of mayo! Oil! Sugar! Vinegars! Onions! And it’s not just food prices, it’s the other things too. Deli containers! Vac pac bags! Stickers! You name it, it’s gone up. While I pride myself on being an affordable food shop in comparison to the other names in town, I needed to take a closer look at how I can make sure Lox + Schmear sticks around for years to come. I want to continue to be a neighbourhood spot where strong community is built. This is incredibly scary for me to do as I know times are really tough for a lot of people right now. I want to continue to provide the top quality products you expect from me, and to do so, these adjustments must happen. I hope you are able to understand. I am so grateful for all of your support. I hope you are all doing okay and can muster the power to keep pushing. We are back to the usual pick ups this week! The online store will open today at noon and will be for pick up on Sunday (10:00am-1:00pm).

Okaaaaaay last day of 2021! While it’s hard to believe we are here, yet again, at least we are still here right?! I looked back at what I wrote last year and it still holds true. While this year was definitely not what we all expected, there are still a few positive notes. Lox + Schmear is still here (Is this good? Is this bad? Who knows anymore). LOL. WHAT. A. RIDE. ... This of course could not have been possible without ALL OF YOU AMAZING PEOPLE WHO HAVE EATEN THIS FOOD EACH AND EVERY WEEK. Thank you for trusting my process and the way I want to operate this little business. I hope eating lox gave you great joy and happiness. I hope we were able to provide you with comfort in both the good and the hard times this past year has brought. Here is to a better year ahead. Wishing everyone good health, happiness (ha!) and to continuing to move through a world that feels really tough at times. With love, gratitude and so much gratefulness, xoxo Lev

I’ve never posted twice in one day, but I just couldn’t wait to share this major announcement. Make sure y’all follow the guidelines! #covid #imnotsureimhavingfunanymore #neverending #whatismylife #imsotired #lol

Nothing says love like lox! Here’s a little sneak peak as to what we will have in store for Valentine’s Day! We will have a Valentine’s day brunch box with some very cute surprises. But you really don’t have to wait for Valentine’s Day to treat yourself, someone you love or even an enemy (!!!) to some delicious smoked salmon. LOVE YOU ALL A LOX!

It’s Tuesday and y’all know what that means. The online store will open today at NOON for Sunday pick up. I’m also here to announce that we will now be stocking a few goodies from our amazing friends at Earth + City! If you haven’t heard of them (I’m sure you have because they are an INCREDIBLE business built by amazing humans) they prepare a variety of plant based foods that are thoughtfully and carefully sourced. They are also queer owned (yay!) and just an overall great business to support. First up on the list of goodies we will be offering: onion flatbreads! These flatbreads are vegan, gluten free, and nut free. They are divine with any of our smoked fish varieties- my fave would be to pair with our hot smoked trout, but you can’t really go wrong (tuna, egg, schmears, lox). @earthandcity

Bernie is working the door not letting anyone in, so head on over to our online store and get your orders in! I know it’s been a long week, so here is your reminder to order food for Sunday’s pick up. There is PLENTY of good stuff on there.

Have y’all had a chance to check out our fancy new e-commerce integrated website? Just trying to make things as easy and efficient as possible for ya. It’s a click click click away to all the information you need and it’s all in one place! Yeeeeeehaw! There’s still plenty of great items left online for pick up this SUNDAY JANUARY 10! You know what to do.

Are you feeling exhausted? I know I sure am. It’s the time of year when everything feels hard. The holiday season is over and now it’s recuperation time. Don’t let thinking of meals make life even harder. The online store is open today and has some great items to make meal planning easy whether it’s breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner (snacks included obviously). I think we’ve gots lots to cover all bases. PS. I REALLY WANT TO REITERATE: if you do not pick up your order and do not contact us before the pick up day is over, we will not be holding your items. You will not get a refund. If you have any questions regarding this, please do not hesitate to email [email protected]. I am happy to explain why this is a STRICT rule that will be followed. @michellearbus

This a a savoury babka. Smoked salmon and cream cheese babka with dill and chives and an everything bagel topping. Would you try this?!

Okay y’all. The bad news. I have just been made aware of ridiculous rules and regulations regarding being able to sell Lox + Schmear products to other businesses. This means we can no longer partner up with Wise Bagel- I know there was a lot of excitement and this was going to be a cool move forward for Lox + Schmear. Fear not, we will still be able to sell the best smoked salmon around town just as we have been since 2017. Nothing ever comes easy, so I will be figuring out my next move and it will be better than ever. In the mean time, I really appreciate all the support you have given so far. Thank you!

This is how we brunch no matter the year. Still time to get your orders in for pick up on Sunday! Start this year off righttttttt. Let’s go!

We getting married! Yeeeeeeeehaw. I’ve also got some not great news to share, but let’s just bask in this moment for now. Yeeeeeeeeehawwwwww!

And here we are y’all. Last day of 2020. Another year in the books and a little more graffiti (lol). While this year was definitely not what we all expected it to be, I’m going to try to be positive for the first time in my life. Lox + Schmear is still standing and I don’t plan on going anywhere. This of course could not have been possible without ALL OF YOU AMAZING PEOPLE WHO HAVE PUT SO MUCH TRUST INTO WHAT I’M DOING HERE IN FISH LAND. I know I have asked a lot fro...m y’all and the adjustments have been hard. But I’m hoping L+S was able to provide some joy and comfort in such uncertain and scary times. Please remember that you are amazing! Here’s to a better new year. I hope you are able to achieve everything you want to achieve. To good health, to happiness (whatever that may be for you), and to surviving in a really hard world. With love, gratitude and so much gratefulness, xoxo Lev See more

Edit: SOLD OUT. INTRODUCING LOX + SCHMEAR’S NEW YEAR’S DAY BRUNCH BOX! You get everything you see: 1 x original lox... 2 x sesame bagels (sliced and frozen) 150g plain cream cheese 1 x each pickled red onions, house made pickles and pickled red onions 1 x smoked salmon, dill and chive quiche 2 x butter croissants 2 x black and white cookies 1 x Tropicana orange juice 1 x Propeller cold brew coffee PICK UP ON DECEMBER 31, 2020 between 12:00pm and 3:30pm. Limited quantities because I am human and the holidays are a lot amirite?!?!

Maybe you’ve noticed this little change recently? Well, that’s because in just 3.5 years of business, a little rebranding needed to happen. LOX + SCHMEAR SMOKES QUALITY FISH! What?!?!?! Yeeeeep- that is our specialty and I want you to remember it. Always done in small batches so I can control everything... EVERYTHING. Always hand sliced (even though I’m like a machine at this point ). And never frozen- this is truly the freshest smoked salmon around town. Lots of fish up online. Give us a try and see the difference care, quality, patience and love makes. Oh and a HUGE thank you to my sister @jess_lev who did the design.

This salmon tart is an underdog (in my measly opinion). And this is how I like to eat it. Add a nice mixed green salad on the side and you’ve got a lovely meal. It’s pretty perfect. Online store is live. Lots more hot smoke fish will get restocked tomorrow. Xoxo

Today is international Trans Day of Remembrance. BIPOC TRANS LIVES MATTER. Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. (GLAAD) #translivesmatter #blacktranslivesmatter #bipoctranslivesmatter #tdor2020

So maybe it’s not the most beautiful day out there, but let us brighten up your day with a couple of sandwiches! For the first time since March, we are making assembled sandwiches. Starting you off right with The Easy and The OG. You can’t get any more classic than these two! Hope to see y’all soon (before 1! ).

Okay y’all. This is the big news! This Sunday will be the first trial run of getting assembled sandwiches to your bellies. It’s simple- Starting at 10AM we will be offering a couple sandwich options. They will be served on fresh baked sesame bagels. FIRST COME FIRST SERVED. Will be making limited quantities (once we sell out, that’s it for the day). There will be no substitutions. This will be contactless- please bring a card that can tap! I think that’s all you need to know for now. Got any questions? Ask! Hoping to see your friendly (and masked) faces on Sunday morning!

Hi y’all! Just want to clarify that we are not closing down for the holidays! We will continue our online store service with curbside pick up on Sunday. That means that the online store will still go live tomorrow (Tuesday December 22) at noon for Sunday December 27 pick up. New Year’s Day brunch anyone? New Year’s Eve snacks? We’ve got you covered. Stay safe and Happy Holidays to all.

Have you had the chance to meet our house smoked lemon pepper lox? She peppery (freshly ground black pepper), she’s lemony (freshly zested lemon). She’s delicious! Always hand sliced. Never frozen. There’s lots of food up online for Sunday pick up. Remember, if you can’t make Sunday, I’m very happy to arrange alternative times (with some limitations).

It’s my birthday. Eat some smoked fish for me today will ya?! Better yet, place an order for this week’s pick up. You don’t wanna miss the pick up on Sunday, I promise!

Finally got this stunning piece of art framed. I hope y’all know, I’m dedicated to the cause. Smoked fish, bagels, schmears and all the Jewish-style fixings has become a real passion of mine. Just trying to spread the love with food. You too can feel the love by heading over to the online store today at noon. There are some real fun goodies this week. PS. @alanna_cavanagh did this beauty of a print.

Interrupting the usual fish posting with very important (and lovey dovey cheesy) news. But everyone needs a little lovey dovey cheesy news in pandemic times, amirite!? 4 years ago today, this wonderful person came into my life. She has been supportive, caring, extremely patient, loving and a great partner in life! Thank you for putting up with me and my schtick Kiki! You can’t get rid of me just yet.

Oh, I’ve got some big news that I will be sharing with y’all later in the week. I’m so excited about it and I think you will be too. But for now, take a look at this glorious OG sandwich. Remember the OG from the old days?! Those were the days! And not that you need this reminder, but the online store opens today at noon!

Every so often I feel that it’s important to express gratitude (I know, me, right?! Who have I become?). And what a better day than a beautiful sunny Friday in November. With all that is going on in the world, I am extremely grateful that y’all keep supporting this little business. Thank you for showing up! Thank you for the continued words of encouragement. Thank you for wanting to eat the food I’ve been creating. Trying my best over here to make sure your bellies are taken care of! Thank you!!

FOLKS! This! This is the best! Now, I’m not saying you should change your eating behaviours (because that’s not what I’m here to do), but like IF you HAPPEN to WANT to do such a thing, I would definitely not try to change your mind. And might I suggest trying our small batch, hand sliced, never frozen, smoked in house salmon? And if you are sticking to your diet, we totally have options for vegetarians, vegans, gluten free AND dairy free folks! Name your game, we’ve got you covered. One last thing, sharing your love for Lox + Schmear with family and friends is THE BEST! Thank you thank you thank you!

Mr. Moonee is eyeing the blintzes and you should be too. Online store is open and ready for ya! Some fun goodies to be had. Never a dull moment over here! PS. No cats helped in the making of the blintzes... that would be bad food hygiene practices.

Hot smoked rainbow trout Hot smoked salmon Hot smoked Montreal steak spiced salmon Original cold smoked lox Pastrami cold smoked lox ... Lemon-pepper cold smoked lox Which is your fave? We’ve got all the fish goodness. Plus all the other classic goodies. Go get!

Bagels are beautiful, and so are you! Online shop is open for this week’s Sunday pick up. Some more items will be posted up tomorrow (I’m behind, sorrrrrrry!). But just a reminder that Tuesday is your pick of the litter. I can’t promise you’ll get the items you want if you wait until later in the week.

There’s still plenty of time to get your orders in for this week’s pickup. It’s the perfect breakfast/brunch/lunch/snack/dinner/dessert food for a long weekend. Your Monday can look like this is you want it to!

Maybe your long weekend can look like this? Lots of hot smoked fish up online! Thanks to @michellearbus for another beautiful photo and making our fish look so good! I love seeing what y’all do with our goodies. Keep on sharing them.

Holy. Moly. It’s October! And I’m going to get a little serious here, because so much of the restaurant and hospitality industry is about putting on a show. It’s truly a game of reality versus perception. I try my hardest to be transparent about the hardships of running a small business because I think it’s important to show you why food costs what it does, why we do things the way we do. The reality is, we’re in month 7 of this pandemic. Business is not what it once was, an...d each week seems to get tougher and tougher. I hope this post can be a reminder to continue to support your local small businesses. I know it’s tough times out there for a lot of people. I hope we can all stick it out, support one another, and come out of this situation stronger and better than ever! Thank you so much for getting us into month 7! Lox + Schmear wouldn’t be here without our lovely community of people. See more

Taking a trip down memory lane. Wishing I was able to make assembled sandwiches for you, but I’m still holding off! One day things will get back to normal (new normal, whatever that means) and I will make so many sandwiches for all of y’all. BUT the good news is that you can easily make this at home with the items from our online store! Shop is live and filled with tasty treats. Thank you for the support. Times are still tough and you are all being wonderful.

Welcome to Lox + Schmear’s Yom Kippur platter land! Pick up your pre-orders today between 10:00am and 1:00pm. G’mar Chatima Tova! Wishing an easy fast to all who are participating this year.

This needs no caption, but I truly feel this fully captures pandemic Lox + Schmear life! Share food with your friends, zoom dates, family, loved ones and yourself! *This is a real note we received and totally makes the hard stuff better! #queerbusiness #queerromance #supportbipoclgbtq2sownedbusiness

Online store is live and we have some fun new treats! We’re starting to get into more cozy feeling foods. Starting with some delicious white chocolate chip cashew cookies. And just a reminder because I’m really proud of this: we do everything in house except bake the bagels and churn the cream cheese. How’s that for locally made!

Do you love smoked fish? If your answer is yes, this platter is for you! 150g each of our original house smoked lox, pastrami cured and smoked lox, lemon-pepper smoked lox AND 200g of hickory hot smoked salmon. Great for Yom Kippur breaking the fast or even brunch for your bubble. Must order before Friday September 25, 2020 to guarantee your platter for pick up on Sunday September 27, 2020. #smallbatchsmokedfish #yomkippur #fishlover #handsliced #neverfrozen #livelaughlox