Discussion
Never had it from a typical east end shop but a friend's asked me to get him some from London prior to a visit to him t'other end of country.
https://www.gkelly.london/
Mash I can do easily, but are the pies "just" normal Pukka steak pies or are they something special?
https://www.gkelly.london/
Mash I can do easily, but are the pies "just" normal Pukka steak pies or are they something special?
ColinM50 said:
Never had it from a typical east end shop but a friend's asked me to get him some from London prior to a visit to him t'other end of country.
https://www.gkelly.london/
Mash I can do easily, but are the pies "just" normal Pukka steak pies or are they something special?
IMO - Its the liquor that makes it. The pies are minced beef from memory, always served upside down.https://www.gkelly.london/
Mash I can do easily, but are the pies "just" normal Pukka steak pies or are they something special?
My fondest memories are sat in F Cooke & sons on Dalston Kingland in the 80's, sat at marble-topped tables, looking up a black and white pictures of Chas n Dave, with sawdust beneath your feet whilst 2 huge German Shepherds prowled around the place, with a gale blowing through every time some one opened the front door.....
ColinM50 said:
Never had it from a typical east end shop but a friend's asked me to get him some from London prior to a visit to him t'other end of country.
https://www.gkelly.london/
Mash I can do easily, but are the pies "just" normal Pukka steak pies or are they something special?
Out of curiosity I had pie and mash when I went to game the other day at Leyton Orient. They served it with that greenish sauce you can see in some of the pictures. I've no idea what's in it. The pie in question was just a basic mince pie, but we are talking a football ground here so probably the cheapest they could source.https://www.gkelly.london/
Mash I can do easily, but are the pies "just" normal Pukka steak pies or are they something special?
Anyway, the format seems to be pie + mash + green gloop. It must be an east end thing. Apart from seeing a pie shop in the 90s in Notting Hill (now long gone) pies/pies and mash just don't feature.
AC43 said:
Out of curiosity I had pie and mash when I went to game the other day at Leyton Orient. They served it with that greenish sauce you can see in some of the pictures. I've no idea what's in it. The pie in question was just a basic mince pie, but we are talking a football ground here so probably the cheapest they could source.
Anyway, the format seems to be pie + mash + green gloop. It must be an east end thing. Apart from seeing a pie shop in the 90s in Notting Hill (now long gone) pies/pies and mash just don't feature.
It is worth remembering that the East End of London (from which this "meal" was born/originated) was a VERY VERY poor industrial area, and Eel, Pie and Mash was never anything more than cheap and cheerful working class meal. (We're talking eels often caught locally in the Thames here). You ate and bought pie and mash from a SHOP, not a restaurant - just to set the scene. You would often buy chopped eels directly from a serving hatch/tray which protruded out the front of the shop window to take home.Anyway, the format seems to be pie + mash + green gloop. It must be an east end thing. Apart from seeing a pie shop in the 90s in Notting Hill (now long gone) pies/pies and mash just don't feature.
The pies used (And probably still do) quite a poor quality meat (it was not always beef), the potatoes unbuttered and unseasoned and the idea of the liquor, topped with tons of vinegar, was intended to make the whole affair a little more edible - this was never a fine dining delicacy.
IIRC, even in the early 90's when Cookes in Dalston was still trading, Pie, Mash, Liquor and a cup of tea would have been around £2.50 for a plate full. i.e. Even the best Pie and Mash in town, was still effectively, slop. (I loved it mind you).
The idea of "Pie and Mash" as a meal, even today, being anything more than "a quick bit of grub" is quite amusing....but put it his way, a "Pukka Pie" would be way too good a quality pie if trying to replicate a traditional Pie & Mash meal....
Edited by MattyD803 on Monday 23 August 11:35
I used to love Kelly's in the Bethnal Green Road & the Roman Road. 2 or 3 pies, double mash and chilli vinegar was the ticket. Pies, as mentioned above, were served upside down. Very pale underneath but the 'lids: were pretty black. The liquor was basically a thin parsley sauce.
Old girls would shuffle in and get separate Tupperware containers filled with pies, mash and huge plastic jugs of liquor.
Although I lived there for a while, the staff in these places knew who was 'proper' East End and who wasn't. If you weren't born & bred in the area you were always an outsider.
Old girls would shuffle in and get separate Tupperware containers filled with pies, mash and huge plastic jugs of liquor.
Although I lived there for a while, the staff in these places knew who was 'proper' East End and who wasn't. If you weren't born & bred in the area you were always an outsider.
Being from East London (although neither of my parents were), all my school-mates used to go to the pie & mash shop at lunchtime, but I really couldn't imagine anything blander. Couple the blandness with those pies soaked in all that green liquor stuff, it quite makes me want to heave.
Like the traditional decor in some of them, like my nearest one here: https://www.notedeelandpiehouse.co.uk/, but I've hever eaten in one. My wife says it's great comfort food and that I really should try it, maybe I'll venture in this Winter.
https://youtu.be/i4dzvy1oNuE
'70s East End pie and eels shop.
Like the traditional decor in some of them, like my nearest one here: https://www.notedeelandpiehouse.co.uk/, but I've hever eaten in one. My wife says it's great comfort food and that I really should try it, maybe I'll venture in this Winter.
https://youtu.be/i4dzvy1oNuE
'70s East End pie and eels shop.
MattyD803 said:
AC43 said:
Out of curiosity I had pie and mash when I went to game the other day at Leyton Orient. They served it with that greenish sauce you can see in some of the pictures. I've no idea what's in it. The pie in question was just a basic mince pie, but we are talking a football ground here so probably the cheapest they could source.
Anyway, the format seems to be pie + mash + green gloop. It must be an east end thing. Apart from seeing a pie shop in the 90s in Notting Hill (now long gone) pies/pies and mash just don't feature.
It is worth remembering that the East End of London (from which this "meal" was born/originated) was a VERY VERY poor industrial area, and Eel, Pie and Mash was never anything more than cheap and cheerful working class meal. (We're talking eels often caught locally in the Thames here). You ate and bought pie and mash from a SHOP, not a restaurant - just to set the scene. You would often buy chopped eels directly from a serving hatch/tray which protruded out the front of the shop window to take home.Anyway, the format seems to be pie + mash + green gloop. It must be an east end thing. Apart from seeing a pie shop in the 90s in Notting Hill (now long gone) pies/pies and mash just don't feature.
The pies used (And probably still do) quite a poor quality meat (it was not always beef), the potatoes unbuttered and unseasoned and the idea of the liquor, topped with tons of vinegar, was intended to make the whole affair a little more edible - this was never a fine dining delicacy.
IIRC, even in the early 90's when Cookes in Dalston was still trading, Pie, Mash, Liquor and a cup of tea would have been around £2.50 for a plate full. i.e. Even the best Pie and Mash in town, was still effectively, slop. (I loved it mind you).
The idea of "Pie and Mash" as a meal, even today, being anything more than "a quick bit of grub" is quite amusing....but put it his way, a "Pukka Pie" would be way too good a quality pie if trying to replicate a traditional Pie & Mash meal....
TBF I was starving and was quite happy eating it.
Perfect stop-gap meal on the terraces and made a nice change from the usual hot dog/burger/chips.
Anyone who has eaten in a Manzes will tell you one of the pie and mash is good and the other is terrible.
The one in Islington (now closed down) used to be very busy until the 80's and everyone I know would say it was terrible, whereas the one in Bermondsey is good. Others have said Castle's in Camden, Maureen's in Popular and Goddard's in Greenwich are very good.
Never been a fan of pie and mash, but I think more people like a modern version of the cuisine like Square Pie, Pieminister and Piebury Corner.
Then again people seem to prefer a Chinese, Fish and Chips, Indian, Kebab, McDonalds, Pizza, etc... than pie and mash.
The one in Islington (now closed down) used to be very busy until the 80's and everyone I know would say it was terrible, whereas the one in Bermondsey is good. Others have said Castle's in Camden, Maureen's in Popular and Goddard's in Greenwich are very good.
Never been a fan of pie and mash, but I think more people like a modern version of the cuisine like Square Pie, Pieminister and Piebury Corner.
Then again people seem to prefer a Chinese, Fish and Chips, Indian, Kebab, McDonalds, Pizza, etc... than pie and mash.
ColinM50 said:
Never had it from a typical east end shop but a friend's asked me to get him some from London prior to a visit to him t'other end of country.
https://www.gkelly.london/
Mash I can do easily, but are the pies "just" normal Pukka steak pies or are they something special?
Kelly's is definitely the place to go, but it's not exotic cuisine, just a minced beef pie, very ordinary mash and parsley sauce. Basic and filling. I lived just up the road for 15 years and it was a good, cheap stomach liner for those times when I just wanted something ordinary.https://www.gkelly.london/
Mash I can do easily, but are the pies "just" normal Pukka steak pies or are they something special?
Pothole said:
ColinM50 said:
Never had it from a typical east end shop but a friend's asked me to get him some from London prior to a visit to him t'other end of country.
https://www.gkelly.london/
Mash I can do easily, but are the pies "just" normal Pukka steak pies or are they something special?
Kelly's is definitely the place to go, but it's not exotic cuisine, just a minced beef pie, very ordinary mash and parsley sauce. Basic and filling. I lived just up the road for 15 years and it was a good, cheap stomach liner for those times when I just wanted something ordinary.https://www.gkelly.london/
Mash I can do easily, but are the pies "just" normal Pukka steak pies or are they something special?
I was back at QPR on Saturday. Stodgy old burger & chips were a poor alternative.
williamp said:
No eels??
First tried pie and mash years ago when I used to drive down to London every so often for work. The order every time after that was double pie n mash with liquor !! 
One of the directors always tried to get me to try jellied eels by showing me them in the polystyrene cup!
Edited by Short Grain on Sunday 12th December 08:51
Just spotted a review of the 11 best pie and mash shops in London
https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/lifestyle/article/be...
I have never been in one. I assume you get served at the counter then find a seat.
https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/lifestyle/article/be...
I have never been in one. I assume you get served at the counter then find a seat.
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