Erynn Mayes and Megan Chan’s Toronto pie shop Kanga was inspired by the pair’s love of Australia and its famous meat pies. They felt so strongly about the savoury pies that they left their jobs to pursue their dream of opening the first Australian pie shop in Toronto. Erynn, a former Rogers Publishing employee, and Megan, a former accountant, used their business sense to help them establish a burgeoning and creative business specializing in pies, but offering much more.
The first time the young entrepreneurs took their products to the Toronto Underground Market in October 2012 was a seminal experience. “We had 500 meat pies to sell and we sold them all,” recalls Erynn. ”People told us that our pies were their favourite product there. To get such positive feedback was the best feeling.” They both then enrolled in culinary school and began selling their products at pop-up stores. The passionate and talented duo raised $16,575 on KickStarter and opened Kanga in May 2014.
TRADITIONAL AUSSIE
Minced beef in a rich beef gravy, with a hint of vegemite. *Best enjoyed with ketchup
KIWI CLASSIC
Traditional minced beef filling with chunks of white cheddar cheese - a favorite amongst Kiwis (or New Zealanders). *Best enjoyed with ketchup
CANADIAN (STEAK & BACON)
Juicy pieces of Steak and Bacon, braised with Amsterdam Nut Brown Ale and a savoury gravy.
BUTTER CHIX
Our take on this northern Indian classic. Chicken curry in a creamy tomato sauce - not too spicy!
MUM'S CHICKEN PIE
Chicken pot pie, with a splash of Australian "Tic Tok Pocketwatch" Chardonnay from Robert Oatley vineyards
MATES' MASALA PIE
Indian chickpea curry (that we learned from an Indian cooking legend!) with stewed eggplant and sweet potato. This is a spicy one!
BREKKIE PIE
Traditional filling, oven-roasted tomatoes, bacon, egg and cheddar cheese comes topless in our signature pastry. Best enjoyed with a flat white!
SPINACH ROLL
Spinach and Canadian feta wrapped in our signature butter puff pastry.
SAUSAGE ROLL
Sanagan’s mild Italian sausage wrapped in our signature butter puff pastry
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Kanga opened up shop in Toronto a few years ago, and have since opened multiple locations across the city. The pie shop serves up traditional Aussie meat pies that are handmade every day. Try Mum’s Chicken Pie, a chicken pot pie with a splash of Australian Pinot Grigio, or the Traditional Aussie with minced beef in a rich beef gravy.
View this Smart ListIt doesn’t get much more comforting than a meat pie. These brilliantly engineered hand-held pies never leak and have the most beautiful, real butter, flaky pastry. And I haven’t even discussed the sumptuous fillings yet.
View this Smart ListAussie expats craving a taste of home can pair their caffeine hit with a savoury meat pie at this downtown pie shop. Owners Megan Chan and Erynn Mayes were inspired to open the Down Under themed snack bar after spending time living together in Australia. Visitors can wash down their handheld pies (filled with various meat and vegetable ingredients) with flat whites made with locally roasted beans from Propeller Coffee. The pint-sized shop doesn’t offer much in the way of seating (although there are a few bar stools) so plan on taking your food and drink to go.
View this Smart List