Starsky

Bakery: Starsky
Address: 3115 Dundas St W, Mississauga (2 other locations)
Website: http://www.starskycanada.com
Style: Polish, Eastern European
Price: $-$$

It is without a doubt that Starsky, a semi-recent "European" (mainly Polish) supermarket chain in GTA west, takes the gold for best supermarket bakery (silver (Adonis) and bronze (Whole Foods) medals in the supermarket category have already been reviewed). It isn't, however, from Starsky's own bakery, but just the collection of possibly every commercial Polish, Russian bakery in the area with a smattering of Ukrainian, Portuguese, some gluten-free and more uh, North American favourites (cupcakes... -_-) in the Dundas W location, in particular. In terms of selection and number, it's pretty amazing... and you can always see that look of awe on the faces of people seeing their glass cases filled with countless slab cakes for the first time. :D

In general, however, you really have to know what to purchase and what to avoid with so much selection. For one, the 'home-baked' goodies (barely there poppy seed buns, egg bread, and yeast danishes with fruit or cheese), though well-priced, are very cheaply done and skimpy on everything. I remember when Starsky first opened (the first, Dundas E location), their home-made poppy seed buns were *amazing*. Wow! Huge and stuffed with a traditional poppy seed mass (the same as in a makowiec -- a poppy seed roll cake, I suppose) -- they were always soft and moist and so good. At the time, they were my favourite poppy seed buns and people seemed to agree -- they very often ran out! Sadly, it went downhill pretty quickly and what's left is a plain, dry bun with hardly anything in it and not a lot of people interested, myself included.

I guess you can say that you really go to Starsky for the other bakeries. My chief draw was always Granowska's, but alas, they're no more (it's very sad to see that the original cafe was gutted and turned a fruit and veggie stand ;_____;), so, despite the gold medal, my enthusiasm has cooled a bit. One reason for this is the price; especially the slab cakes priced per weight, you'll pay quite a bit more per kilo for the same cake purchased either at the bakery or other delis and they are definitely not cheap. Not cheap. There is, after all, a reason why many people order something and then just set it aside somewhere!

Another thing to look out for is the freshness. Especially the stuff behind the counter, you really have to watch out, since a lot is regularly stale, even the stuff on top (I used to take the poppy seed danishes ($1.29) from here until I got rock-hard ones a few times and just gave up). Never done it myself, but I would also stay clear of their reduced cakes and baked goods which are very past their due; they really aren't fit to be eaten. Taking that all into account (it's a lot, isn't it? O_O), there is still plenty to choose from and sample, especially if you do love your Eastern European goodies like I do. ^^;;; Here are a few uh, highlights:

I take this 'homemade poppy seed cake' (courtesy of Anna's bakery, though I figured that out only once I went there; $3.99/piece and pictured above) the most often and it's probably my favourite, regular item which seems to be delivered weekly and usually nice and moist. Generous with the poppy seed and having a soft, moist dough that doesn't give it that makowiec taste to it (oddly enough, I've never liked them) topped off with some crumble and icing, this is really good and affordable! And you don't need to go to Toronto to get it. ;)

Another option is some Sweet Temptations goods, which is a commercial bakery from Mississauga making about 70% of everything in Polish delis (and also make most of the pączki -- Polish doughnuts -- at Starsky and everywhere else). -_- That doesn't really encourage selection and choice, but nonetheless, they have some of the most well-priced slab cakes per weight at Starsky and they seem to be fresher, at least when I risked it and ordered their plum cake ($14.99/kg), it was nice and fresh. Horrible lighting, but great in taste. I'd recommend this... and actually did recommend it already when I bought it from Euromax.

Lastly, seriously, I don't even know what this was. For one week, there appeared these poppy seed buns both in circle and braid form ($1.89) near the poppy seed strudels from the Russian bakeries. Packed in a simple plastic container with nothing but the price on it, I was pretty intrigued and excited given, well, that I love poppy seed buns. OMG! This was amazing!!! The best, BEST poppy seed bun in GTA west (I'd say everywhere, but What a Bagel! still reigns supreme XD): so loaded with poppy seeds with a dense, flaky dough and coated with clear glaze and a few drizzles of chocolate. Whoa, this is superb!!! The only problem is... they've never returned!!! Wah, where did these things come from? I need more, and I have no idea why Starsky had them for one week and then they vanished. Noooooo..... ;___;

Ahem, nonetheless, seeing as supermarket bakeries here in the area aren't very good at all, Starsky is definitely a cut above. While it's not always fresh or reasonably priced, it has amazing selection and serves as a great introduction to delicious Eastern European baking to people who might be a little intimidated by the smaller delis. And there's something for everyone, I suppose... and plenty of poppy seed options (I am SO shameless) XD

Rating: ***