Jack's Bakery & Pastry
352 Oakwood Ave
Phone: 416.651.1780
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There is a lot going on in Jack's Bakery and Pastry: a bunch of guys are watching Portuguese news and eating cake with a guy in an apron, the radio is blaring some clubby top ten, a child is crying for some sweet bread... and the lottery counter appears to be quite popular. I watch one man purchase "the winning ticket" and wave it in the faces of everyone at his table (all of whom are vaguely disinterested) and tuck it into his wallet with preemptive triumph... Jack's is open 24 hours, and has adopted a few quirks accordingly.
The coffee ($1.43) tastes a bit burnt. In retrospect, I should have had an espresso drink. Because when I got my bill, I noticed my was brew dubbed "Canadian" which usually translates as "not the thing to order." So Jack's is the kind of place that serves good espresso and burnt drip coffee... I notice too late that the regulars are drinking lattes.
I have no reason to believe that the lone bagel flavour (sesame $0.45) will be the best choice given that Jack's is primarily a Portuguese bakery and there's lots of fine looking breads, buns, baguettes. But my mind's been on bagels, and I want some. I take two and they're pretty good. Not really dense or chewy enough, but fresh with a nice toasted sesame taste; definitely a solid bagel for a one-bagel shop. And you can't beat the price.
The mini corn bread buns look hearty ($0.75). They go down tough, a bit on the hard side. But they have that good corn bread texture that leaves me satisfied after a couple, toasted with some cheese and pepper. (I also like the charming hand-written sign someone made for them.)
My best (and most obvious) purchase was the custard tart ($1.00). I've never had a bad custard tart from a Portuguese bakery and this one is no exception. But still, I enjoy it more than most because it comes in a mini size... like the corn bread. I like this trend.
The service was excellent - really pleasant. I like all the minis and I like the quirks here. If I lived closer (or had a car) I'd totally come to Jack's for some midnight bread, a latte and a lottery ticket... the winning ticket, like the one that guy purchased.
Photos by Alyssa Bistonath.
Comments (39)
I used to work at the school around the corner. Jack's is a good place, and I frequented the place back when Nova Era used to be there. The coffee isn't usually burnt though - I've never had that before but it's nothing special, just a regular drip coffee like Tim Hortons or Coffee Time.
I agree about the custard tarts. They are great! (BTW, Macau was a Portuguese "colony" - not sure what the correct word is, but it was governed by Portugal up until 1999. One of the official languages is still Portuguese, so it makes sense that they share food and culture)
Jacks seems to be only traditional Portuguese Bakery left on Toronto..All the other ones are already to industrialized. From what i know, Jack's Bakery has a pretty traditional way of making its' pastry products and everyone in the team seams to be Portuguese, so i definaly recommend it if your're looking for an old fashion Portuguese bread and cakes.
Authentic Portuguese - Welcome!
Finally, a bakery where you can go to with a group of friends and/or family members with exceptional service. Satisfy your sweet tooth with their endless assortment of pastries baked daily and fresh 24hrs - the custards are my favorite... among others :) Great ambiance with honest and friendly staff.
um cantinho doce de portugal q sabe sempre bem qd s esta longe da terra. Os meus parabens ao Sr carvalho e colaboradores pela brilhante ideia, q seja o primeiro de mts jacks bakery. Já agora saia um cafe e um pastel de nata!
This is a really good place! I'm from protugal but when I was in Canada i used to go every day to jack's bakery and i spent some quality time in there. That place made me feel that i was in portugal, so i recommend the food and the ambiance! Great staff!
Great place!!
You have to see with your own eyes and taste those lovely cakes and sweets!!!
The owners are just FABULOUS!
Big cheers for them!
When are u guys going to open more Jack's? We need them around my area, Woodbridge! U guys are fantastic! All the best for u. Keep up the good work
The best Bakery in Canada!
Real Portuguese Flavour with nice people and gentle Owners!!!
Saudations my friend!
Well, I say: see for yourself these magnificent pictures and decide what do you think about this fabulous bakery! The taste is even better...
I can say that the owners of this bakery are the most talented and friendly persons I´ve ever met.
With persons like this, it´s obvious that a quick stop at Jack´s Bakery can bring great things to a "regular day" of any person:)!
When are you guys thinking of franchising? If you continue the good work, in a few years, Jack's famous portuguese custards and everything else will be all over Canada, for sure! And I will want your franchise! Thanks for your great service and kindness! I know that one day somebody will look at your dedication and hard work and give you guys a big oportunity! Just keep on believing in what you are doing!
um autêntico desafio ao mais apurado dos sentidos!
A qualquer hora do dia, a certeza de um agradável encontro com os segredos mais bem guardados da pastelaria tradicional portuguesa, para quem não tem medo de se perder: entre o lado mais doce da vida.
Um beijo enorme dos teus queridos Amigos Inês e Helder
Le pain dans cette boulangerie est excellent. Il y en a de toute sorte! Et je vous parle pas des gâteaux; delicieux!!!
Dépéchez vous d'y aller car c'est vraiment exceptionnel de trouver du bon pain comme ça de nos jours!
Jack's bakery&pastry... une vie entière douce et légère:))
Great bakery / fantastic service!!
The quality and freshness of the food (bread, pastries, etc) was remarkable.
I will definitely be going back.
Excited to learn that it is 24 hours.
Something amazing and with a big future! Congratulations! Keep up the good work! Nice meeting the owners: Jack and Jason(the famous cute guy!)
Jack's Bakery is a place where I can find a big assortment of pastries with Quality! I love going there. And those portuguese custards... yummmmy:)
yes, they have internet, just ask them for the password..I heard they are going to have a patio outside, and gelatto which is fantastic..
daque e o ambrosio de sousa a que e radio lousa novo dia de hoje estamos a espera de anucios para jack um abraco para o filho de e para o pai
wow i was there last night eat the famous gelatto ice cream is went down so good taste very well was treated the best and didnt have to wait much 4 service defently go there again
I wonder how everyone that commented on this site got paid for these posting!!!!!!
P.S. The best? You have got be kidding!!!
They all got paid money that u can't afford! Pass by the Bakery and I'll show u around. Your opinion will definetly change. It would be a pleasure to get to know u!
Thank You
diz ao teu pai la para as 5 ou 6 estou ai a limpar la encima manda mais bolos para o nosso email obrigado irmao
LOOKS GREAT FROM THE OUTSIDE,
BUT INSIDE MOST DESERTS ARE SIMILAR TO COMMISO'S ITALIAN BAKERY.
VERY OVER PRICED AND OVER RATED.
OHH MY GOD,
IF YOU CANT TELL ALL THE REPLIES ON THIS SITE ARE FROM THE OWNERS
OF JACKS BAKERY,THEY ARE DESPERATE FOR BUSINESS, NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE GO THERE AND MOST LEAVE UNHAPPY.
JACK WILL JACK YOU OFF
SAVE TIME AND MONEY AND GO ELSEWHERE
THANKS IN ADVANCE
YES I HAVE SEEN THE SAME ONES @ COMMISO'S ITALIAN BAKERY,
AND i AGREE, OVER PRICED. i THINK HE BUYS MOSTLY FROZEN
AND RESALES AT A MUCH HIGHER MARGIN.
DESPERATE FOR BUSINESS HE IS EVEN USING PUBLIC SIDE WALK SPACE
THINKING HE CAN MAKE A PATIO.
WE WILL SEE HOW LONG THAT LASTS.
WOW! THIS BAKERY IS REALLY FAMOUS, IT'S THE ONE WITH MOST COMMENTS, THAT MEANS SOMETHING... EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE GOOD OR BAD!!
JACK'S IS BECOMING REALLY FAMOUS IN TORONTO...
hey, i heard that courense bakery is going to change owners again,they are desperate, young guys that can't take control of what they are doing and there's this women taking over that is ripping off her cousin and ripped off the old owner's son, something crazy i heard... why don't u guys buy the place and open up a Jack's where they are???
hey who ever you are, easy on the comments! this blog is to advertise and not to play around with personal stuff.. Hope this doesn't continue or else i will delete all comments.
Thank You
yea keep talking bad about jacks backery cuz the more u talk the more your making jacks backery famous !!!
wow jacks at chins picnic im so excited to go check out what they have 4 sale and enjoy the fresh air by the lake and beauitful multi culture
Talk good or bad about Jack's , I bet none of you'll would like a Starbucks or any other {American}francise to come to your neighbourhood. Appreciate the man's service to the community making years old recipes from scratch everyday, as opposed to opening frozen pastries,cakes and bread{yes frozen bread too}like your average bigbox store bakery.When this is gone because we dont patronise , I hope I can stop by all the bad critics house for coffee and pastries.Keep on BAKING !!!!
You have got to be kidding. This is the best in the City? Have you been living under a rock? This place has gone downhill fast, since it was purchased from Nova Era. The sweets are stale. In fact, today I bought some almonds tarts and they were moldy. Everything is old, because nothing sells anymore. They don't have the variety they used to. I don't believe they make anything on the premises. The only reason I go there once in a while is because I live around the corner.
If you want an amazing bakery in the area, go to St. Clair to either patachou or Pain Perdu. it's more expensive, but you won't throw anything in the garbage.
If you want Portuguese, go to St. clair & Caledonia, to the other Nova Era in the area.
If Jack's or the owners really cared about keeping their clientele, they would certainly throw out the stale sweets and breads, and sell ONLY FRESH, so customers aren't throwing money in the garbage every single day.
Jason, if the owners of Jack's really care about their customers and keeping their business, I'm sure they won't be upset by the truthful comments. In fact, if it was my business, I would want to know about all comments, ESPECIALLY the not so nice ones, because I'd like to change and make things better.
When owners don't want to know the truth, they don't care about their customes or their product.
Jack's completes one year this month, I ve been a cust since the begining,many business have struggled thru the bad economy-phase, I wish him and all the hard working entrepreneurs all the sucesses for the coming years and to all those who critisise, eat your words or go to Tim Hortons,Starbucks etc.........
Wow, Poor Jack,
Can't keep a fresh rack of anything, always check for mould and
get your money back,
one year in and gonna have to sell everything back,
cause that's JAck, your neibour hood crack.
Poetic Justice you have been served
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