My Five Favorite Meat Pie places in Australia

Here's my top-five list of meat pie joints I've eaten at while in Australia (many in my neighborhood). I rank the top-five, loosely based on these criteria: 'crispness of pie top'; 'consistency of filling'; 'is tomato sauce free?' (So far minus points for everyone - sauce are all extra... cf fish and chips Kind of reminds me of Hungary in the early ninetees when McDonalds was worried about people stealing mayo for home-use - it's friggin' sauce!); 'doughiness of pie base'

Anyway, here are the winners

Garlo's to me represents the best trade off between fast food and fresh food. A business that's just small enough to maintain high quality standards and big enough to be readily available. Never soggy and especially the top crust takes the cake, or pie, so to speak! My fave.

A hut on wheels (because of some bizarre 1950s licensing law.) Great late night eats (also serves bizarre hot dog with chili, mash, onions and other things I don't recall.) Pie top great, fillings great. Late night eating might mean pies aren't super fresh. Still a Sydney must.

Boasts "We take pie's seriously" and does offer a good range of pies, some of which a bit too exotic to be taken seriously. Minus points cos top crust is not puff pastry, but same as the base (short crust). Filling often a bit starchy.

Pro: Range of pies, Con: pie top crust and starchiness of filling.

Mrs Macs are factory made and available in most convenience stores. Surprisingly crusty. Best of its kind. Stay away from Vili's.

Bon Apetit!