Lyla Lindsey
Meat pies are considered iconic in Australia, with former New South Wales Premier Bob Carr describing them as Australia's national dish in 2003. They are typically hand-sized pies containing diced or minced meat and gravy, sometimes with onion, mushrooms, or cheese. Meat pies are often consumed as a takeaway food snack and can be found in various restaurants and bakeries across Australia. Some popular pie manufacturers in Australia include Four'n Twenty, Patties, Balfours, and Mrs Mac's Pies, which are sold nationwide. For those seeking Aussie meat pies outside of Australia, there are options available in the US, such as Australian Pie Co, Aussie Pies and Sausages, and Australian Bakery.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat pie brands in Australia | Sargents, Balfours, Vili's, Mrs Mac's Pies, Four'n Twenty, Georgie Pie, Big Ben Pies |
| Meat pie manufacturers in Australia | State-based |
| Meat pie availability in Australia | Sold ready-to-eat at smaller outlets, unbranded, locally produced by a brand-name vendor, or imported |
| Meat pie availability outside Australia | Available in the US at Australian Bakery Cafe, Waltzing Kangaroo, Aussie Pies And Sausages, Australian Pie Co, and Bright Lights of America |
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What You'll Learn
Meat pies in Australia are often sold ready-to-eat at smaller outlets
Meat pies are a beloved Australian dish, and they are often readily available at smaller outlets as ready-to-eat meals. This convenience makes them a popular choice for those seeking a quick, satisfying bite. The Australian meat pie has a long history, with its origins dating back to 1947 when L. T. McClure first created it in a small bakery in Bendigo. This humble pie eventually evolved into the famous Four'n Twenty pie, a household name in Australia.
Over the years, the meat pie has become an iconic symbol of Australian cuisine, with its popularity extending beyond its shores. Australian expats living abroad, particularly in the United States, often crave the familiar taste of home, and the meat pie is a quintessential part of that experience. To cater to this demand, specialty bakeries and restaurants have emerged, dedicated to recreating the authentic flavours of Australian meat pies.
One notable example is the Australian Bakery Cafe, founded by Allen, a native of Bendigo, and his partner Neville Steele. With locations in Atlanta and Houston, they have perfected the art of the Australian meat pie, earning rave reviews from expats who find comfort in the familiar flavours of home. The bakery also ships its products across the US, ensuring that Australians living far from major cities can still enjoy a taste of their beloved meat pies.
In Australia itself, meat pies are often found at local bakeries, cafes, and even service stations or corner stores. Balfours in South Australia and Vili's, which started in the post-war era, are well-known pie makers that supply their delicious creations to various venues hosting Australian rules football games, ensuring hungry fans can enjoy a hearty snack during the match. Mrs Mac's Pies, produced in Western Australia, is another popular brand, competing in the takeaway hotbox market with their pies found nationwide.
The meat pie's popularity in Australia and among expats abroad is a testament to its delicious simplicity and the sense of comfort it evokes. Whether enjoyed as a quick bite on the go or savoured as a taste of home away from home, the Australian meat pie is a culinary icon that continues to bring people together.
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Some meat pies are locally produced by a brand-name vendor
Meat pies are a beloved Australian dish, with the average Australian consuming 11 pies per year. Even the smallest of Australian towns has at least one bakery selling meat pies, with classic steak and pepper pies and more creative options like eggs Benedict pies.
Other brand-name meat pie vendors in Australia include Sargents, which was the dominant meat pie brand in New South Wales until 2022 and could trace its pie-making history back to 1891. Balfours in South Australia has been making pies for over a century, while Vili's began in the post-war era. Mrs Mac's Pies, produced in Western Australia, can be found nationwide, especially in service stations and corner stores.
There are also several competitions in Australia that celebrate and promote high-quality meat pie production, including the annual Great Aussie Pie Competition and Australia's Best Pie and Pastie Competition, which attract pie-makers from all over the country.
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Meat pies are also available frozen and delivered to your door
Meat pies are a beloved dish in Australia, and while they are often sold ready-to-eat at smaller outlets and bakeries, you can also enjoy them from the comfort of your own home by purchasing frozen pies.
If you're based in the USA, you're in luck! There are several options available to get your hands on some frozen Australian meat pies. One popular option is Aussie Pies and Sausages, which has a physical store in Los Angeles and also offers delivery through local meal services like NOCO Nosh in Fort Collins. Waltzing Kangaroo, based in Fort Collins, Colorado, is another go-to for many, as they ship their handcrafted Australian meat pies nationwide in the US. You can order a box of 12 frozen pies to be delivered right to your doorstep. If you're looking for a more DIY approach, you can also make your own pies at home. Simply buy a pie tin or a pie maker, find an authentic recipe online, and get baking!
For those in Australia, frozen meat pies are also readily available at supermarkets and can be found at various retailers, including service stations and corner stores. Mrs Mac's Pies, for example, are sold nationwide. Additionally, some companies, such as Aussie Food Express, offer shipping within the US and make their pies fresh before freezing and shipping them out to arrive within 2 days. They do not ship on certain days of the week, so be sure to check their website for specific delivery information.
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McDonald's started a trial relaunch of Georgie Pie in 2013
Meat pies are a beloved dish in Australia and New Zealand, often consumed as a takeaway food snack. In June 2013, McDonald's, the global fast-food giant, began a trial relaunch of Georgie Pie, a popular New Zealand meat pie brand. This trial marked McDonald's attempt to dominate a new market by reintroducing a beloved local brand to Kiwi customers.
Georgie Pie was a fast-food chain specialising in meat pies, founded in 1977 by Tom Ah Chee with the vision of creating New Zealand's own homegrown alternative to global fast-food chains. At its peak, Georgie Pie had 32 restaurants across New Zealand. However, after facing financial difficulties, the chain was bought out by McDonald's in 1996, primarily for its attractive restaurant locations. Despite the acquisition, McDonald's decided not to continue expanding the Georgie Pie brand, and the last store closed in 1998.
In the years that followed, Georgie Pie garnered a nostalgic reputation, with a dedicated "Bring Back Georgie Pie" campaign and a Facebook page that amassed over 57,000 likes. McDonald's took notice of these frequent calls for the brand's return and, in May 2013, announced the trial relaunch of Georgie Pie. Starting on 5 June 2013, McDonald's offered the original recipe Steak Mince 'n' Cheese pie (without monosodium glutamate) for $4.50 at two of its restaurants in Auckland: Queen Street and Greenlane (formerly a Georgie Pie restaurant).
The trial quickly expanded to additional McDonald's restaurants in Auckland, Hamilton, and other cities in New Zealand. The relaunch was incredibly popular, with customers forming long queues and even requiring special security staff. On 1 October 2013, McDonald's declared that the trial had exceeded their expectations. They announced plans to expand Georgie Pie to 107 of their 161 restaurants nationwide by the end of 2013 and introduce new pie flavours in early 2014. This expansion included locations in Auckland, Palmerston North, Feilding, Bulls, and other cities across New Zealand.
The trial relaunch of Georgie Pie by McDonald's in 2013 was a successful strategy to tap into the nostalgia and loyalty surrounding the beloved New Zealand brand. By the end of 2013, Georgie Pie was well on its way to returning to menus across the country, bringing back fond memories and satisfying the cravings of many Kiwis.
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Meat pies are a comfort food for Australian expats
Meat pies are a quintessential Australian dish. Hand-sized and filled with diced or minced meat, gravy, and sometimes onion, mushrooms, or cheese, they are often consumed as a takeaway snack. This iconic food is not just a meal for Australians but a piece of home, a taste of comfort, and a reminder of the Australian identity.
It is no surprise, then, that for Australian expats, the meat pie is a comfort food. The familiar flavours and aromas can evoke strong feelings of nostalgia and homesickness. In the United States, Australian expats have been known to go on "meat pie journeys," driving across states to find a taste of this beloved dish.
While the meat pie is widely available in Australia, from neighbourhood bakeries to football stadiums, it is not so easily found in other parts of the world. For expats, the hunt for a good meat pie can be a challenging but rewarding quest. Some have even taken to making their own, crafting recipes that remind them of home.
A few establishments in the US cater specifically to Australian expats, offering meat pies on their menus. These include the Australian Pie Co, Aussie Pies and Sausages in Los Angeles, and the Australian Bakery in Atlanta. These restaurants understand the unique connection between food and memory, providing expats with a taste of home and a sense of comfort.
The meat pie is more than just a dish for Australians abroad. It is a connection to their roots, a reminder of the familiar, and a culinary embrace of their national identity.
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Frequently asked questions
Meat pies are made in numerous neighbourhood bakery shops in Australia. Some of the famous pie makers in Australia include Four'n Twenty and Patties, both manufactured by Patties Foods in Bairnsdale, and National Pies in Tasmania.
Meat pies in Australia are hand-sized pies containing diced or minced meat and gravy, sometimes with onion, mushrooms, or cheese.
Yes, meat pies are considered iconic in Australia, with some even calling it the "national dish". According to a 2003 study, the average Australian eats more than 12 meat pies each year.
Yes, meat pies are available outside of Australia, particularly in the United States. Some places in the US that serve Aussie meat pies include Australian Pie Co, Aussie Pies and Sausages in Los Angeles, and Australian Bakery in Atlanta.
