Elaine's Gourmet Pies

Pie lovers in Fyshwick have a name for quality pies, and it's Elaine's Gourmet Pies. It has the feel of an honest, old-school pie shop, the sort where the pastry does the talking and nobody is trying to dress it up.

The range is what catches people first. One side of the shop leans towards pies with a cheese topping, the other towards the more traditional lineup and sausage rolls. Pepper steak is described as remarkably consistent from one visit to the next. Steak and kidney and curry pies appear on the menu, there are vegan pies for anyone avoiding meat, and the sausage rolls have won over someone who has eaten at some very good bakeries. Chicken parmy and chicken and mushroom pies get a mention too, along with a Shepherd's Pie that one local called pure comfort and a Sweet Chilli Hot Dog Roll that has its fans.

It isn't only meat pies. One customer has praised a ricotta and spinach pie with flaky pastry and toasted sesame, and another has enjoyed a homemade lemon tart with a cookie base that isn't too sweet. Pastry is the thing people tend to talk about most: flaky but sturdy enough to hold a rich filling.

Prices are widely seen as fair, and free sauces are a nice touch. The staff come up as friendly and welcoming, and the shop is kept clean. There are small tables out the front in the sun, handy for a pie and a coffee, and parking is easy, with free street parking and a free car park nearby. The entrance and car park are wheelchair accessible, and they take cards and mobile payments. It's a takeaway operation at heart.

One visitor who came at lunchtime found the pies only warm and not as fresh as hoped, though even they praised the staff. The hours suit an early start, and weekends run shorter, so check the hours before you head in. If you're after a proper pie in Fyshwick, this is a solid place to try.