Win's Bakers - Review - Leyton - London - The Infatuation

"Win’s Bakers is a converted railway arch that specialises in our nation’s sweetheart. No, not Dame Judi Dench. But our “in crust we trust” darling: pie. They’re easily some of the best labour of love pies in London and aren’t afraid to smack you around the chops with mighty ale and mustard flavours, while still having a glazed, crumbly crust so comforting that we’d let it read us a bedtime story. This corner of Leyton’s Tilbury Road turns into a certified scene at the weekend and Win’s is its daytime epicentre. We've seen mates getting strategic about their order in the queue, couples whose sunglasses hinted at a hangover nodding at each other as the fragrant, sinus-tickling saag aloo healed them, and Birkenstock families conquering the bulbous, must-order sausage roll. Thankfully for indecisive orderers everywhere, the pies are small, single-serve portions which means you can, and should, order a few to try a selection of the fillings. Seating is limited to a couple of outdoor tables so either take your pie on a picnic pilgrimage to nearby Abbotts Park, or stop by on a sunny afternoon to secure a seat at neighbouring Leyton Calling’s car park beach bar. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Pause Unmute Food Rundown Beef Shin & Libertalia Knuckledust Porter We’re not even ashamed to admit that we stood in 30-degree heat eating this while mouthing enthralled expletives between bites. The beef shin tastes like it’s bathed in the malty soul of 10 perfect pints and it’s so tender that it could lead a perfectly fulfilling life as a main outside of a pie. Our Win’s pie poster child. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Roast Chicken, Smoked Bacon And Leek This comfort-first chicken medley is as close as Win’s gets to pie-making trad wife. It’s an exceptional, stew-adjacent take on a classic with a hint of smokiness. We want to come home every night to find this pie waiting for us. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Sausage Roll The Hugh Jackman of sausage rolls. They’re hench, with the charismatic presence of a star. Sure, you’ll try to ignore the sausage army lined up on greaseproof paper while you order your pie, but frankly, that would be a mistake. They pair the best of Win’s crust prowess with a gorgeous, juicy orb of peppery sausagemeat. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch" - Heidi Lauth Beasley