Best Jamaican Patties in Toronto

The Jamaican beef patty is a staple street food snack in Toronto, introduced to Canada during the migration of Jamaican and Caribbean peoples in the 1960's and 70's.

Originally based on the Cornish pasty from United Kingdom, the Jamaican beef patty uses different seasonings transforming it into the spicy and infamous snack it has now become. So popular in Toronto, in fact, that you can grab one at practically every subway station downtown. But with Jamaican patties available all around the city, the everlong debate continues... Who makes the best Jamaican patty in the city? 

As a long time stoner and die-hard foodie, being on the hunt for new eats and tasty munchies around the city is a weekly tradition, and trying a patty or two along the journey is an activity that is simply unavoidable. 

Coming from Gibraltar I had never seen a Jamaican patty until I was studying and living in Toronto, but over the last 20 years it has become a part of my Canadian culture as much as maple syrup and poutine. And if one likes patties, wherever you go, one must try the patty sandwich supreme, where your patty is sandwiched in between sweet coco bread with spicy jerk chicken and creamy coleslaw! There is nothing like it! 

There are three key factors that make the best patty... the pastry, the filling and the flavour. The pastry should be light, flakey, buttery and slightly crunchy. The filling should be a substantial amount and of high quality ingredients. The flavour should be savoury and spicy, with the distinct taste of scotch bonnet peppers. How long it's been heated in the toaster oven also makes a big difference, which most places seem to ignore.. Not baked enough means a floppy, soft patty. Heated for too long gives you a dry, crusty solid patty. Just like in the story of Goldilocks, it has to be just right. 

I've done the leg work (or mouth work!) and tried patties from almost every corner of the city, so to steer you in the right direction I'll give you my recommendations for the top 3 in Toronto:

Allan's Pastry Shop
3056 DON MILLS RD E, NORTH YORK

In terms of price and quality, there is nothing like fresh patties from Allan's Pastry Shop. This humble bakery is hidden away in the Peanut Plaza Mall serving fresh patties, bread and pastries daily. Unlike other patty shops that typically only have beef or veggie options, Allan's even has curry goat patties.. something rarely seen and tasted in the city! Allan's patties use a pastry that is light and flaky, and the fillings are always perfectly seasoned. Allan's Pastry Shop is one of my all-time favourite places to visit when I want spicy beef patties. Their chicken patties are also very flavourful and must be tasted. It's no wonder the majority of patties around the city are distributed by Allan's Pastry Shop! You can see all the locations that carry their patties on their website.

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Phamilyeats 
858 EGLINTON AVE E, EAST YORK
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At the start of the pandemic in 2020, a young Philipino man launched his own homemade patty and pie delivery business from home that instantly won the hearts of Torontonians who were all at stuck indoors during the pandemic. Specializing in beef patties, chicken pies and beef pies, Phamilyeats could only initially be ordered and purchased via Instagram! The business quickly exploded when they launched their eCommerce website, which soon became flooded with customers, eventually requiring all visitors to join a waitlist just to place an order!
Unlike the typical city patty, these patties feel and taste truly homemade. The crust is bright yellow, buttery and not as light as typical patties. Once you take a bite, you can instantly see the patty is generously filled with high-quality beef, unlike inferior patty fillings that can often be like a paste. The seasoning used for the meat filling is extremely tasty but also distinct from the typical Jamaican patty. I hear their pot pies are also out of this world!

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Golden Patty
187 BALDWIN ST, TORONTO
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Tucked away in the epicentre of Kensington Market, this small bakery is known for their affordable baked treats and Jamaican food. I'd come here on my breaks from working in the area and grab a beef patty from time to time. But It's their curry chicken patty that is unforgettable.  Unlike a typical chicken patty that has similar flavouring to its beef counterpart, the chicken curry patty is truly something special! Spicy and seasoned to perfection, this patty is a refreshing change with its spicy, Jamaican curry flavour. Similar to the patty sandwich supreme, Golden Patty also has their own take, offering to sandwich your patty in coco bread with cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.

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Honourable Patty Mentions

Randy's Take Out (RIP) 
876 YONGE ST, TORONTO
This small Jamaican take-out spot on Eglinton Ave W was extremely popular for their beef patties, with regular line-ups out the door. Unfortunately, they have recently closed.

Brazil Bakery & Pastry Ltd
1566 DUNDAS ST W., TORONTO
This incredible Portuguese/Brazilian bakery sells many traditional baked goods and snacks.  Although not technically a Jamaican beef patty, if you're looking for a patty of a different kind, one has to try their beef empanadas. With a juicy, seasoned beef filling, and a flour-based crust, these small but tasty empanadas can be a lovely change from your traditional patty. They're so good, I couldn't help but mention them.

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Written by Gideon Bentata

Gideon is the founder of Cognition Studios and works as a writer, graphic designer, cannabis educator and marketing consultant in Toronto, Canada.

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