On a hot and humid summer day in south Philadelphia, with temperatures in the mid thirties, it is a little incongruous to watch Pork Belly tuck into a British meat pie.
But our Random Bites reviews require the occasional sacrifice and since we couldn’t arrange our American Road Trip for pie-eating season, we find ourselves at Stargazy in the languid emptiness of early afternoon.
East Passyunk is an up-and-coming area of the city, just south of the popular Italian Market.
Pork Belly has nostalgic fondness for the area dating from his first visit in the 1980s and his love of a good Philly cheese-steak (he won’t fuel the debate about whose is best, Geno’s or Pat’s as they’re both pretty awesome).
But this was our first time venturing further south.
Amongst the row houses with the essential aircon units fixed to the windows, huge street art and neighbourhood basketball courts there are now bespoke tailors, classy (and pricey) cupcake bakeries and a decided air of oncoming gentrification.
Where London’s East End meets America
Stargazy is the brain child of Sam Jacobson, who grew up in England before moving to Philadelphia to work in some of the city’s bests bistros. He branched out on his own in the summer of 2015, establishing this English-style pie and bakery shop.
We almost missed the place situated at the intersection of East Passyunk Avenue and Mifflin Street because it’s small, subtly signed and, on the day we went, almost totally deserted.
Great British food
But come the winter when Philadelphians’ thoughts turn to hot snacks, the place is apparently rammed with folk trying to get a taste of Great British delicacies like jellied eel pie, and beef and onion.
Pork Belly tackled the Full English Breakfast pie, packed with egg, bacon, black pudding and baked beans, served with mashed potato and traditional liquor.
The kitchen and counter are open plan giving you a full view of the cooking process and making it easy to chat to the friendly staff.
Pork Belly’s verdict? Pie perfection. The homemade pastry was rich, buttery and melt-in-the-mouth. The pie innards were well seasoned with good quality meats.
They offer vegetarian alternatives but all of them packed with cheese so nothing for vegans (or cow’s milk allergy folk like myself), so while Pork Belly munched his way through his carb-laden plate-load I enjoyed a green tomato salad – fresh, tangy and seasonally appropriate.
They offer traditional puddings too – sticky toffee, banoffee tart and fruit pie – but as we were there mid-afternoon they weren’t yet ready so we contented ourselves with savouring the aroma of melting toffee.
Award winning pies
The plain tables and solid chairs may have been empty when we were there but judging by the photos and comments on the wall – and the fact the local trade organisation created a new category of “Best Pies” for their annual Food and Drink Awards to cater for Stargazy – the place is a roaring success.
Strgazy’s made for takeaways and trade is brisk from early autumn onwards.
They cater for parties (which take over the whole white-tile and plain wood table space) and will even provide a special pie for your wedding day.
So if you’re ever in South Philly and fancy a taste of the East End of London, then Stargazy’s the place to go.
More information about Stargazy
For photos and reviews of Stargazy’s traditional pie and mash offerings see their Facebook page.
Where to next?
• Pie and vinyl
• Pumpkin pie
• Night on Bear Mountain