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When it comes to aromatics in meat pies, I often think of cloves, allspice, ginger — the usual bold, wintry spices that can stand up to heavy beef and pork. That’s why, out of everything I sampled at Future Bakery, this pie that’s just slightly smaller than a CD case (ask your parents, kids) stands out the most. Beneath a buttery, flaky crust topped with sesame seeds is a delightful mix of juicy shredded beef, diced carrots, peas, and onions. The best part? A generous amount of fresh dill, which gives the pie a bright, tangy finish that cuts through the richness and sets it apart from the more typical flavours found across the city. 

The Shop

Future Bakery was the first place former É«É«À² Star restaurant critic Amy Pataki told me to visit when I asked for food recommendations in her neighbourhood. She already knew I was a fan of the Ukrainian bakery’s pierogies (what university student hasn’t tried to win back their tuition during on Bloor Street West?) and she also knew I loved bakeries with factory outlets — because that’s where the good deals are.

The spiffy, family-run flagship in Etobicoke is massive, lined with counters of freshly baked Ukrainian breads, savoury and sweet pastries, and prepared foods full of under-$10 delights. On weekday mornings, seniors come to stock up on bread for the week, and home cooks head to the dairy fridges at the back for kefir, cottage cheese, and — yes — two-kilogram wheels of butter from Future Bakery’s sister brand, M-C Dairy.

If you’re a fan of Future’s downtown outposts at St. Lawrence Market or in the Annex, the flagship will blow your mind.

Also On The Menu

I perused the prepared food counter and filled a box with a variety of Ukrainian bites, then sat down at one of the café’s small tables to eat (everything was at room temperature, but held up well).

I opted for a Transcarpathian meat cabbage roll, $3.99, the beef-and-pork version cooked in tomato sauce that most É«É«À²nians will recognize. I added a buckwheat hamburger patty ($2.19) — a juicy mix of beef and buckwheat topped with sweet sautéed onions — and of course, half a dozen cheese and potato pierogies, $5.99.

For dessert, the syrnychki ($2.99/100g, about $3.45 each) are like fat little cheesecakes: creamy, slightly tart, and mildly sweet, encased in a golden-brown crust.

And that’s just a fraction of what’s available. Next time, I’ll work up the courage to try the little tubs of chicken, pork, and flower-shaped carrot slices suspended in aspic ($2.99).

Explore The Area

Right next to the bakery is (120 N Queen St.) that does a $25 all-you-can eat weekend brunch as well as daily lunch specials for $14. Also just south of Future is the second location of (1596 The Queensway) the Vietnamese restaurant with a loyal online following, whose fans include Kehlani who recently said . While there isn’t much here when it comes to a scenic walk, just west of the bakery is (25 The West Mall) to walk off the food in an air-conditioned space.