Forty-five years ago this spring, the power couple of Jerry and Dolly Toppazzini purchased The Belvedere Hotel and transitioned it to the Beef ‘n’ Bird.
The new name was born out of Boston, where Jerry Toppazzini played in the NHL for 12 seasons.
“My dad and his teammates would go to the Beef, Bird and Brew in Beantown and that’s how the name was formed,” said son and current operator, Anthony Toppazzini.
The Beef was a far cry from the Belevedere, which, like many bars at the time, was known for segregation of the genders: one side for men, one side for ladies and escorts.
The tavern started with country nights moved to disco, then rock and moved to the top forty.
They endured new bylaws like the smoking bylaw of the 1990s and an ever-changing industry with new rules and regulations.
Jerry and Dolly passed away, but their four children are keeping the momentum going.
Lino, Mark, Cheryll and Anthony are still offering Sudbury-famous porketta bingos on the weekends, along with draught beer and comfort and pub style foods to patrons.
Anthony said his wife Rachael Delamorandiere is now in charge of the kitchen. His favourite sandwich is the lean roast beef au jus with cheese and onions.
He said the homemade soups are wonderful and people often want to be called ahead if they know there is a pot of porketta pea, hamburger noodle or cabbage soup in the cauldron.
The majority of patrons come on Saturdays for the porketta charity bingo. A uniquely Sudbury card game that has raised tons of money for charity.
“We have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity,” Toppazzini said. “Recently, we raised $7,500 for the Ukrainian Seniors Centre’s Ukrainian war fundraiser. Every year from October to April, our Saturday afternoon porketta bingo is dedicated to the Copper Cliff Minor Hockey Association to get kids on the ice,” he said.
Toppazzini said Tarini Meats up the road supplies the porketta and Regency Bakery supplies the fresh bread.
Toppazzini is holding onto the keys of one of the oldest taverns in the city under original ownership. The other is Eddie’s Sports Bar in the South End.
He worries about the future of the industry.
“The hospitality industry is falling by the wayside. Chains are taking over independently owned spots and young people don’t go out as much anymore,” he said.
Toppazzini promises patrons that if they come, there will be sports on the screen, and a hand of cards and the smell of porketta will be waiting for you.
He said the Beef is also all about sponsoring local sports teams, too.
And as the line from another famous Massachusetts bar said: “You want to go where everyone knows your name,” which pretty much sums up the Beef and its motto, too.
The Beef ‘n’ Bird landmark is located at 923 Lorne Street in the West End of the city.
As summer approaches, the hours are adapting.
The tavern can be found on Facebook.
Anastasia Rioux is a writer in Greater Sudbury. Let’s Eat is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.
