Stew in a bowl with a pastry lid is not a pie!
Whenever I go to a pub and fancy a pie for lunch I always ask at the bar whether they serve 'proper' pies or not.
If the answer is 'it's in a bowl with a puff pastry lid' - I usually make my displeasure known. I have been known to walk out and try the next pub in town.
Pubs do seen to be getting the message though as I've noticed more are putting decent pies on the menu there days.
My local used to be one of the worst offenders, but look what was on offer yesterday.
It was very good! Steak and ale pie, proper pastry. Extra veg came with it - £9.95. Couldn't eat anything else that day!
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