In Praise of Fray Bentos

[classic33]

This rather frivolous thought of mine did start from a real event. I was on a work trip to Buenos Aires (yes, they were good times at that company) and on a day off I took the ferry across the River Plate to Uruguay, and met two American guys with their bikes who were riding north through Uruguay. I was quite envious.
I don't know if Fray Bentos was actually on their itinerary, but if the eponymous company sells their metal-clad pies in North America then I expect they were tempted.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Many years ago we stopped at a small cafe in the Derbyshire Dales and selected pie off the menu......we got a tin of Fray Bentos each and the cafe owner struggled for ages opening each can and only had room for two pies at a time in his oven - there were six of us!

 

[slowmotion]

Nigella, Jamie, Gordon, Rick and Heston.....let's face it... with Fray Bentos they are complete toast.

 

[midlife]

A word of warning, the Fray Bentos steak and kidney puddings are a disappointment

 

[raleighnut]

I had one the other night. As tasty as it was, Pukka pies have eclipsed them in my heart.

Yet another great Leicester product.

 

[classic33]

I know it's probably a bit weird, but I love 'em.
Brings back childhood memories everytime I have one.
Any other afficianados?
Comfort food and only £1 a throw - it don't get much better! *
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*Please bear in mind that I've had half a bottle of Brandy - purely for medicinal reasons.

And it's nowt to do with me, despite the "labelling"!

 

[Fnaar]

"Fray" is Spanish for "Brother" (as in a monk-type person, not your fraternal sibling, which is 'hermano')
Just letting y'all know.
The pies are lovely

 

[biggs682]

I had one a while for old times sake , it was ok just lacked some meat really

 

[AndyRM]

I've never had one, but my considered opinion is that they look rank.

 

[NorthernDave]

We were always more of a Tyne Brand family...

 

[welsh dragon]

Mr WD bought one a while ago, the first one in decades. Bl***y horrible. All pastry and just a stain in the bottom. I couldn't stop laughing.

And those old tin openers are even more difficult to use when you are left handed. I remember having to go backwards ( as far as righties are concermed) to open the dam things. How i didn't lose couple of fingers in the process i will never know. Can't beat Puka pies.

 

[Dirk]

The whole Fray Bentos pie for a quid thing has set me thinking.
I reckon two of us could eat healthily for less than a tenner a week.
I can get a bag of veg and teddies, that would easily last a week, for £2 from the farm across the road. You don't need meat every day and you could stretch mince and a chicken out over a few meals. I can catch Pollack, Whiting and Mackerel in season, within half a mile of my house.
Porridge is cheap and healthy for breakfast.
With a bit of judicious purchasing, I reckon it could be done.
Might give it a try sometime.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Yep, whenever we go away it's Fray Bentos pies, Princess tinned steak, chicken supreme in white sauce in a tin, mandarin segments / condensed milk......

You go to the 1970s?

 

[Illaveago]

They have become very wet recently but I suppose it is inline with other products that seem to have changed.

 

[Blue Hills]

Yep, whenever we go away it's Fray Bentos pies, Princess tinned steak, chicken supreme in white sauce in a tin, mandarin segments / condensed milk......

Reminds me of childhood caravan holidays and, ffs, new potatoes in a tin. Veg in a tin is surely one of britain's more questionable contributions to world culture. Am still bemused to find boil in the bag rice on sale.

Edit, just seen that dirk has the same memories. 60s? Anyone know when the brits stopped uttering the immortal phrase "i'll open a tin of carrots" and just went and chopped the ends off one, possibly peeled.