By DAVE KOSONIC

An abandoned sandwich fast-food outlet has recently become a new home for the return of the Old Mill Pastry & Deli to Etobicoke after an absence of four years.

This family owned and operated business which specializes in eastern European food treats including its prized burek and cevap is welcoming loyal customers and new patrons to 385 The West Mall near the Etobicoke Civic Centre.

“We want to make this a European atmosphere for our customers.” said Skell as he is fondly known by patrons.  He manages the business with back-up from numerous family members. Three generations of his family have kept the place running and humming including grandparents, parents, sons and a daughter. Wilson who is the coveted burek maker and baker is also a key team player at the Old Mill.

Skell explains that the business was started by his father Nazim in a plaza located at Rathburn Road and The East Mall many years ago. His family had to vacate this site soon after it was sold to a developer a few years ago. Much of the plaza was then demolished including the Old Mill restaurant and take-out grocery section.

The family rolled with the punches and re-located the Old Mill near Square One in the interim before returning to Etobicoke. Skell added that it is like coming back to the where the Old Mill all began.

Due to the pandemic business has become restricted to online ordering, in-store grocery and food grab-and-goes and some deliveries via the OLD MILL refrigerated van.  Skell hopes things will continue to loosen up and lead to more in-store activity as COVID restrictions are loosened.  This will allow the return of the scrumptious hot table.

Before the pandemic many patrons with eastern European backgrounds flocked to the Old Mill to dine, laugh, chat and maybe enjoy a couple of cups of freshly brewed Turkish coffee served by Snell’s sister Lulu.

“Everything is homemade. The burek we make attracts people from everywhere,” boasts Skell. He added that they also sell very hard-to-find European foodstuffs including sweets such as Tollumba and certain non-alcoholic beverages.

I have been a loyal customer at the Old Mill for a long time and each visit has resulted in a fun time.  I really like their fresh salads, cabbage rolls and mouth-watering chocolate eclairs.

The servers are always friendly and polite and frequently put an extra portion on your entry as an ‘on the house’ bonus to keep you happy.  No alcoholic beverages are served.

The Old MILL is now mainly dedicated to take-out groceries and food. It is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily but closed on Monday. Please phone 416-519-0064.

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