Absolutely Bigger! Bay St eatery adds 22 seats, new hours

You need to be quick to get a meat pie at Absolutely Delicious Bakery and Deli. By 2 p.m. yesterday, the last orgasmitastic meat pie was sold and proprietor Angelisa Mills says that's pretty typical.

"The meat pies are popular and usually sell out fast," Mills tells SooToday.com. "But my freezer is more empty than usual right now because I'm going to replace it with a stand-up one to put over there," she says, pointing to the deli's south wall.

Absolutely Delicious is looking like it should be called Absolutely Demolished these days, but the place remains open even during renovations that will double its seating capacity.

The popular deli has been located in the Travelodge on Bay Street for about three years now.

Mills has operated it for 10 years, first out of a location on Queen Street, then at the Travelodge.

"The new tables are on the way," she says, pausing to open the door to Bay street for contractors bringing in trim for her nearly complete addition.

The expansion used to be an outdoor patio.

But Mills could really only use it a few months of the year, so Travelodge owner Tony Ruscio suggested it be closed in.

"I've gained 22 seats," says Mills.

Mills is a breast cancer survivor who underwent radiation and chemotherapy treatments last year and is not shy to say the loyalty and support she's enjoyed from her customers, Ruscio, her staff, family and friends has played a big part in her recovery.

The expansion has been the icing on the cake.

"It's helped keep me positive," she says.

"He (Ruscio) kept a good eye on everything for me last year," she said. "He noticed that the space was really too small for me so when I came back and he knew everything was fine he told me this is what we were going to get into."

Mills says she also plans to extend her hours very soon.

"I'm feeling better now," she says. "I think it's time."

Every morning, Absolutely Delicious Bakery and Deli opens at 7 a.m. to serve breakfast for Travelodge guests and other customers.

It serves breakfast and lunch until 3 p.m., but soon that will change, Mills says.

"We're going to start adding an evening menu for Tuesday to Thursday," she says. "Right now I just do breakfast and lunch."

Absolutely Delicious is open Saturday and Sunday from 7 to 11 a.m. so far, but Mills says she'll be trying out a longer shift on Sundays soon, too.

"I'm kind of breaking myself in slowly," she says.

Mills thinks people may want to come in before or after church on Sundays too, and is willing to see what kind of response she gets.

But first, the rest of the trim and a few more finishing touches to the addition must be completed.

"I'm expecting to be ready to use it later this week," she says. "But I'm open and have been opening throughout the renovation."

Absolutely Delicious also caters events and meetings.

Everything in the deli and served at catered functions is homemade, she says.

That includes her popular and delicious cherry tarts, apple pies and bread.

And of course the meat pies.