Pies in Paradise: Meldrums Pies

Meldrums Pies

Pepper Steak Pie

Pie Contents

Steak, Chilli and Cheese Pie with the works

It’s hard to believe when a bakery says “Best Pies in [City]”.

But after a unanimous tipoff at a men’s bible study, I was intrigued to look for Meldrums Pies in Paradise (97 Grafton Street, Cairns) and found it the next day. When a group of 6 (Presbyterian) men can all agree, it must be a good sign!

When I got there, around 3pm – most of their famous pies were sold out already. Even their peas, mash and gravy were sold out. Again – another good sign!

I tried their pepper steak pie. Here were some of my thoughts:

• There’s real meat!
• I’m not feeling greasy 🙂
• No salt overload
• This pie is packed full of good stuff
• I’m very satisfied
• This lives up to the expectation
• I want to try the other pies ASAP

Costs under $6 per pie and you’ll be content and not feeling greasy (like 99% of the other pie joints around). Locals swear by this place.

Update!!!!

Went back and had a Steak, Chilli and Cheese Pie with the works (pictured). Great feed. Would go back again. Was told their best sellers were Pepper Steak and Steak and Curry.

Perfect Pies @ Piefection

JD Pork Rib Pie Floater

Piefection Menu

One of the few truly ‘Aussie’ meals is a humble, hearty meat pie. But with so many pies around the place – its pretty hard to find a great tasting and filling pie these days.

Stumbled across a little place in Mt Gravatt (1373 Logan Road) over the past year called Piefection. It boasts a tasty menu of gourmet pies, and the owner, Matt Roman, regularly tests different recipes (such as Soy Pork Belly which I tried once) if you are lucky to get one in time.

This place is NOT for the healthy eater. It’s NOT a place for the fine diner. It definitely IS the place for meat-filling experience with a plethora of options.

The menu can be found here.

My pick is either one of the daily specials, or the Jack Daniels BBQ Pork Rib Pie with the floater (mash, gravy, peas) combo. No joke – I can’t believe how much pork is shoved into the pie, and how tender it is. The JD BBQ marinate makes it taste so good.

If you’re feeling extra dirty, you could try their animal fries or gems (fries or gems baked with bacon, ham, cheese and gravy) – be warned this is deliciously dirty (or dirtily delicious?) and should never be tackled solo.

You may find this place a tad pricier than usual bakeries, but it is definitely worth the cost. You’ll still get a good feed for under $8 with a floater or under $11 including chips and drink.

This is one of my favourite destinations for pie. Have a try and let me know what you think.

Food Adventures

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Food Photo 1: Carolina Kitchen

I’ve been meaning to visit this place for the past 18 months after seeing their menu and reading their reviews online. It’s an American Diner which serves great buffalo wings, and as I found out recently, pork ribs almost to die for! I never thought I’d find ribs in Brisbane which can compare with Hurricanes in Sydney in quality, and I think I’ve found my new home. Finding the place is a bit tricky, as it’s found amidst a residential street, and the seating is quite small and cheap, but if you are looking to satisfy the carnivore inside you – this is the place to be!

For the sports fans, we were greeted with open arms (quite literally) by arguably the best poster of Michael Jordan I’ve seen. We ordered a “Carolina Pack” between 2 people for $40. This includes their signature pork ribs (enough for 2 people), 12 buffalo wings, and NY fries (fries with cheese, salsa and sour cream). After this feast, we were all filled up and satisfied, although I could have probably gone with another rack of ribs! If dirty meat isn’t your fancy, they serve up some good looking hoagies (American styled sandwiches) and hot dogs for a decent price. And to top it off, they have drinks imported from the US!

A definite visit and will be back very soon.

Food Photo 2: JT Creations

Had a food craving this week, and following a great porterhouse steak I cooked last night, I served up some satay sticks for dinner tonight with a ‘test’ recipe of satay sauce. This time I went for a lighter sauce with a sweeter taste. I think it’s a winner. Also decided to bake a family sized beef, bacon and cheese pie with some leftover black angus beef. It smells delicious! And with the leftover beef and pastry, I filled it up to create a beef roll/puff, which I ended up eating for “supper”. All in all, a fun time in the kitchen and very satisfied with tweaking my filling recipe for the beef, bacon and cheese pie. Looking forward to eating it during lunches this week!