Almost all Americans are familiar with the sweet pies whether it is filled with cherries, pecans, or pumpkin purée. Plastica on 3rd St, a few blocks away from the gallery, recently hosted a pop-up pie shop. The pies were supplied by I Heart Pies, a husband and wife team who are currently taking online orders only. In addition to selling standard size pumpkin pies and apple crisps, I Heart Pies makes mini pies which are about as filling as a cupcake. One of their most celebrated mini pies is the Peanut Butter S'more Pie which was featured in LA Weekly's Best of Artisanal LA.
Pop-up pie shop at Plastica
Peanut Butter S'more mini pie from I Heart Pies
The S'more pie is decadent and toothsome, as one would expect. Significantly less Americans have experienced the equally diverse and delicious array of savory pies. However, I Heart Pies also has a variety of savory pies - filled with ratatouille, shredded pork, curried chicken, etc... - that also come in mini sizes.
Meat pies are a bit of a novelty in California, but in countries such as Britain, New Zealand or Australia meat pies near ubiquity. In New Zealand meat pies range from the dirt cheap to the gourmet. They are available at nearly all gas stations and convenience stores, making for a guilty yet dependable late night food stuff. There are many notable bakeries in New Zealand that sell meat pies, such as The Fridge in Kingsland. The Fridge has won many awards and their beef and Guinness pie is lauded all over the internet.
The Fridge in Kingsland with neon meat pie sign.
