Pies

[Drunken Monkey]

The Aussies in general still don't know how to make pies. You feel extra let down as they cost about twice as much over there as they do here, so they score poorly on value for money.

There is, however, at least one exception in the state of Queensland. About half way between Gold Coast City and Brisbane is Yatala (Yat'la) and the Yatala Pie Shop. Famous for it's pies, the conveniently located by the motorway (and well signposted) store had a queue almost out the door yesterday afternoon.
There is a big selection, but I went with the "beef, cheese and bacon" and "jalapeno chilli" for my comparison test. These pies are big, hard to tell without scales, but I'd say definitely another 25-30% bigger on the standard radius at least. Filling was of reasonably good quality (compared to home, so well above average compared to the shit you normally get there). Filling beef is not as chunky as you'd expect, and the filling seems quite salty. Pastry was good, nicely flaky on top and the base was not too sweet or chewy. Grilled cheese and bacon chunks on the top are a nice touch, but really I expected them to be inside the pie, not outside. Jalapeno chilli pie was basically a mince/steak combo with some sliced jalapeno peppers in it, I would personally like more as I'm a real chilli head, but I think to be fair a reasonable amount of chilli for the average person. For Australia the value for money (around AU$4-5 per pie) was about as good as you're going to get there (but not by standards here). Pies are served in a box.

The chain store alternative is Pie Face. Pricing is around AU$4 per pie, they are about the same size as a decent pie shop pie in NZ and also served in a box instead of a paper bag. Pastry, slightly better than average (good flake, ok base), filling was average though. As often found here, "beef" is neither big steak chunks, nor just mince, but a combo of mince and small steak chunks. Value for money, in relation again to pies from home, was poor. I'd say they're ok in a pinch when you really miss pies and don't want something random - the chain store delivery gives a consistent pie service between stores.

One standout at both places is the ability to add peas, mash and gravy (or any variation thereof) to your pie. For those who like to float their pie or like to make a 'proper' meal out of one, this is an attractive option. This can add an extra $1.50 to your pie though.

Pics to come.

[oldrider]

Do you reckon that they can compare to "Georgie pie" of late NZ fame?

I thought Georgie pies were good value until the opposition bought them and closed them down!

Bastards!

[Drunken Monkey]

Georgie Pie, like the Lamborghini Countach, TV Shows like "MacGyver" or "The A-Team" was best left a memory.
On the grand scale of pies, they weren't really that good. They were cheap though, great student food.
I hear that place in Kelston, G-Pie, does a pretty faithful version of them, but I haven't tried them yet.

[slofox]

Georgie Pie, like the Lamborghini Countach, TV Shows like "MacGyver" or "The A-Team" was best left a memory.
On the grand scale of pies, they weren't really that good. They were cheap though, great student food.
I hear that place in Kelston, G-Pie, does a pretty faithful version of them, but I haven't tried them yet.

I tried a Georgie Pie once. And only once.

[Geeen]

I reckon its gotta be Steak,Bacon AND Cheese.

[shafty]

The Aussies in general still don't know how to make pies. You feel extra let down as they cost about twice as much over there as they do here, so they score poorly on value for money.

There is, however, at least one exception in the state of Queensland. About half way between Gold Coast City and Brisbane is Yatala (Yat'la) and the Yatala Pie Shop. Famous for it's pies, the conveniently located by the motorway (and well signposted) store had a queue almost out the door yesterday afternoon.
There is a big selection, but I went with the "beef, cheese and bacon" and "jalapeno chilli" for my comparison test. These pies are big, hard to tell without scales, but I'd say definitely another 25-30% bigger on the standard radius at least. Filling was of reasonably good quality (compared to home, so well above average compared to the shit you normally get there). Filling beef is not as chunky as you'd expect, and the filling seems quite salty. Pastry was good, nicely flaky on top and the base was not too sweet or chewy. Grilled cheese and bacon chunks on the top are a nice touch, but really I expected them to be inside the pie, not outside. Jalapeno chilli pie was basically a mince/steak combo with some sliced jalapeno peppers in it, I would personally like more as I'm a real chilli head, but I think to be fair a reasonable amount of chilli for the average person. For Australia the value for money (around AU$4-5 per pie) was about as good as you're going to get there (but not by standards here). Pies are served in a box.

The chain store alternative is Pie Face. Pricing is around AU$4 per pie, they are about the same size as a decent pie shop pie in NZ and also served in a box instead of a paper bag. Pastry, slightly better than average (good flake, ok base), filling was average though. As often found here, "beef" is neither big steak chunks, nor just mince, but a combo of mince and small steak chunks. Value for money, in relation again to pies from home, was poor. I'd say they're ok in a pinch when you really miss pies and don't want something random - the chain store delivery gives a consistent pie service between stores.

One standout at both places is the ability to add peas, mash and gravy (or any variation thereof) to your pie. For those who like to float their pie or like to make a 'proper' meal out of one, this is an attractive option. This can add an extra $1.50 to your pie though.

Pics to come.

Great report from our Foreign Correspondant! (Fock, its gone INTERNATIONAL!)

[Fatt Max]

Great report from our Foreign Correspondant! (Fock, its gone INTERNATIONAL!)

I know,

I love this man and I want to give him a big girlie kiss on the bottom...

[Drunken Monkey]

Finally got around to uploading the pic of the Yatala pie shop pie. Thinking back, I should have got a photo of every pie I ate. Oh well, there's always a next time...

[Headbanger]

I visited the Yatala pie shop a few years back,I expected greatness, I got another terrible aussie pie.

Luckily I'm still in NZ (for now) and have feasted on a couple stunning pies in the last few days.

Dads Bakery, Masterton-Steak and cheese-Full to bursting with huge chunks of awesome steak, Just when I thought there could be no more in there a few chunks of delicious steak came tumbling out to be devoured. A little light on the cheese but there was enough, Pasty was excellent, pie temp was good, meat filling perfect.

I give here a 9.6 out of 10. Nearly perfect.

The second pie was from that shitty little town north of Masterton with the plane in the center of town, Bakey was run by asians and it was late afternoon, so perfect conditions for a pie full of suck.

I selected the steak,bacon, and creamy mushroom pie.

Fuck me, so fuckin fine, chock full with delicious filling, all seeming in the perfect balance for taste. She was hot, tender, full of flavour.

10 out of 10.

[Drunken Monkey]

Lesson: Never expect greatness from an Aussie pie.

I visited the Yatala pie shop a few years back,I expected greatness, I got another terrible aussie pie.

Ah you see, I went in expecting typical aussie garbage, but got something that was slightly better than average. Don't get me wrong, I don't think they make great pies either, but if you're stuck over there and have a hankering for pie, you could do a lot worse.

In short, pies are better here, no doubt.

Still, I like to float my ones. Sometimes I take 'em home and serve it on mash & mushy peas. Don't have the option to do so over the counter here.

[slofox]

...steak,bacon, and creamy mushroom pie.

mmmmMMMMMMMMmmmmmmm...damn! All my favs together...where do I vote for that pie then?

[Camshaft]

muzza's pies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fatt Max]

The Aussies in general still don't know how to make pies. You feel extra let down as they cost about twice as much over there as they do here, so they score poorly on value for money..

I can certainly vouch for that, having spent 2 weeks there working and trying to find a decent pastry covered treat. My travels took me to The suburbs of Sydney, the Legoland that is the outskirts of canberra, the ghetto of Coolangatta on the Gold Coast and a very nice place full of blond tanned chicks with huge knockers called Hervey Bay.......

Yep, any pie that I did sample was, well, crap. There are apparently good ones about but 10 days, 3 states and 12 bakeries / servos / takeaway bars later, I could not find anything that would even come close to a Countdown Makatu mincer.

So, Australians of the world rejoice but you cant make a fucking pie......

[Highlander]

I
I selected the steak,bacon, and creamy mushroom pie.

mmmmMMMMMMMMmmmmmmm...damn! All my favs together...where do I vote for that pie then?

Patricks pies at Bethlehem - I think they call themselves "Pattricks Gold Star Bakery" has won the Bakels Supreme Pie awards several years in succession. Pretty sure their Creamy Bacon Mushroom and Cheese pie was the one that one the award in 2009 - well worth a stop in your travels.

[slofox]

but you cant make a fucking pie......

Is that like cream pie..?