TOPEKA -- So many people wanted a taste of Porubsky's, Hollywood Theaters had to make a last-minute addition to its menu.

An overflow crowd for a special showing of the film "Porubsky's: Transcendental Deli" on the big screen at 7pm Thursday drew such a response, the theater immediately added a second showing for 8:15pm.

When you walk in, you know you've entered a different world. Porubsky's Deli and Tavern began as a restaurant to serve the quickly growing population of Germans coming to work for the railroad in the Little Russia section of Topeka.

Matt Porubsky's grandparents, Charles and Lydia, opened the chili and pickle place and his uncle still runs it today. They tell the story in the documentary masterminded by the creative genius of local producer Jeff Carson of Gizmo Pictures. The history of the tavern can be viewed at least three more times after its Topeka debut.

The deli and tavern right by the river in the northeast corner of Topeka has survived flooding, fires, and family tragedy. Those stories are told by friends and family in the hour-long journey back in time. The film also includes music by local artists to help tell the story.

The theatre could seat only the first 250 people who get there, for the first come, first serve tickets. Additional showings are planned for the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library on November 13th, Liberty Hall in Lawrence on November 15th, and a week later at Manhattan's Wareham Theatre.