I’m no tourist. And I’m definitely not in the market for overpriced gallery items, thank you very much.

Needless to say, I rarely make it out to the Distillery District.

But if there’s anything that would convince a cynical local like me to visit, it’s Brick Street Bakery (55 Mill St. Bldg. 45A, Distillery District).

[cue angels singing]

In typical European bakery style, this carb paradise has its doors open in nice weather, which rolls out onto a makeshift patio full of out-of-towners. And the interior allows for very little standing room, especially since it’s full of line-ups.

At first I thought these line-ups had to do with the District’s limited walk-in, snacky sort of places, but I soon learned otherwise: a simple bite of their sausage rolls, their oh-my-god-I’m-in-paradise store-baked bread, and their packed sandwiches makes me understand why.

And despite the length of the line-ups, the service is remarkably fast.

Anyway, if this single food stop is enough to send me off to this neighbourhood, methinks it may actually convince the rest of the cynics as well.

PS. Low-carb diets are for chumps.