Meat pies on the northern beaches food map

The humble meat pie is part of the Aussie culture. Here’s three of the best places on the northern beaches to grab one.

Deborah Smith with a selection of gourmet meat pies at Upper Crust Pies, Collaroy.

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The meat pie is an Aussie icon.

With or without sauce, it tastes good, it’s portable and it’s part of the culture.

This week’s Foodie Friday has tracked down three of the best local pie shops.

The Brooky Pie in Brookvale has been selling pies on the main road for 25 years. David and Nicole Landgrebe took over the business 18 month ago and have recently renovated the shop.

David and Nicole Landgrebe at The Brooky Pie.

Pie fans can rest assured that the original meat pie recipe hasn’t changed, it has just been modernised, Mr Landgrebe said.

Pie bases are still made with rough puff pastry and the high and flaky lids are made with puff pastry.

Go for the classic chunk meat and you’ll get slow-cooked beef in a gravy.

There are 20 types and the chicken, broccoli and cheese pie is another favourite.

The 17 types of pies at Cheries Pies in Freshwater are handmade, said owner Anthony Grillakis.

The classic contains 100 per cent free-range beef encased in puff pastry.

This pie is an award winner too, It came second overall at the Great Aussie Meat Pie Competition in 2011.

Anthony Grillakis, from Cheries Pies, with a tray of pies. Picture; Troy Snook

Expect a wait for a pie at Upper Crust in Collaroy where Anthony Gualdi has the well-known yellow-fronted pie shop.

On weekends, staff can sell as many as 1000 pies and it is not unusual for customers to walk out with a pie when the doors open at 6am. The classic mince/steak pie is one of the bestsellers. It is made with top-quality ingredients.

Twitter: @beverley_hudec

Easy as pie

The Upper Crust, 1003 Pittwater Rd, Collaroy, 9971 5558. Mince steak pie, $5

The Brooky Pie, 650 Pittwater Rd, Brookvale, 9905 4542. Chunky beef pie, $6.80

Cheries Pies, 2/119 Harbord Rd, Freshwater, 9905 3451. Steak pie, $4.5