Burek at Euro Bakery, Calgary

[John Manzo]

The Euro Bakery is on the ground level of an apartment building just west of 4 St, south side, on 17th Ave SW; it's inconspicuous because there's gated parking in front (with pedestrian access, but it's a little forboding) and the retail aspect of this building is not what you'd call welcoming. But please don't let that stop you, because the specialty of this place is Albanian-by-way-of-Kosovo bureks and they are DELICIOUS and insane value.

The bureks are nothing at all like the little things you might find at a Greek place. One burek is as big as a medium pizza and is layers of crisp, flaky dough and fillings of ground beef or spinach- I always get the beef. The texture of the bread is very much like Malaysian roti canai, that flaky savoury wonderfulness. A slice is $3.25, which might sound like a lot but a slice is 1/4 of a burek "pie" and can easily be lunch for one person. It's huge and every bite is delicious.

For a quick cheap and amazingly tasty snack not too far east of the Stampede grounds give this place a try. It's open 7 days.

[alau2]

Aw damn, I was going to post about these one day and always forgot. Beat me to it, John! The owner is super nice - he let me go in the back and watch him flip the dough around - it's really cool to watch.

[John Manzo]

You make up for it by taking pics and posting to your blog! :)

[John Manzo]

I meant WEST of Stampede of course :)

[marcopolo]

John, have you had the bureks at the crossroads market? How do these compare? I'll have to find the time to make my way down to this little spot. If i'm not mistaken it used to be a pizza place, no?

[John Manzo]

Yep, formerly a pizza place.

These bureks and the Turkish ones at Crossroads are nothing at all alike- I love them both but they are as far apart as fries and a baked potato. You really have to experience these Albanian ones to appreciate the diference.

[marcopolo]

interesting! well, you've piqued my curiosity...

[grayelf]

I just discovered the delightful burek here in Vancouver. Vandan says there is a place on Denman too...

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/533329

[Albertagirl]

I've been meaning to try this bakery. What are the breads like? Any baguettes?

[John Manzo]

I've never had anything but the bureks, sorry, but they do have breads and pastries and they look okay.