Pot Pies

[stevedi]

Does anyone know of a really good place for take out pot pies on the Westside? All of the store bought kind are too flimsy. Malibu Kitchen's have too many onions for my taste and Daily Grill's has too much gravy. I've come up dry everywhere else for a real gourmet pie.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

[happybaker]

Here's a chow link for the costco chicken pot pie...

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/54699

Basically, if you can share it with many that night, you will be happy. They seem to have them mostly in the winter months.

[smfoodie]

Try the pot pie at Marmalade on Montana in Santa Monica.

[degustateur]

I must confess to a lifelong love of chicken pot pie, one of the ultimate comfort foods. I will even admit that I find Moffet’s pies quite tasty in a nostalgic kind of way. They also serve beef pies. Du-Pars also deserves honorable mention.

For a true, gourmet chicken pot pie, The Grill on the Alley and Musso & Frank Grill (Thursday night special only) both stand tall. However, when I crave a uniquely special, wonderfully delicious, albeit somewhat non-traditional pie none compares to the Brazilian version served up by Wood Spoon. In order of preference:

Wood Spoon
107 W 9th St
Los Angeles, CA 90015
[phone]
http://www.woodspoonla.com

The Grill on the Alley
9560 Dayton Way
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
[phone]
http://www.thegrill.com

Musso & Frank Grill
6667 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
[phone]
(Thursday night special only)

Moffett's Family Restaurant & Chicken Pie Shoppe
1409 S Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007
[phone]

Du-Par's Restaurant & Bakery
6333 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Neighborhood: Mid-City West
[phone]
http://www.dupars.com

Yeah, I know … most of the above rec’s aren’t on the Westside proper. So be it. Here’s another rec for an awesome pie if you ever find yourself in the Long Beach area:

Jongewaard's Bake N Broil
3697 Atlantic Ave
Long Beach, CA 90807
[phone]
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/5/60948/r...

[monku]

Definitely Bake N Broil....some reason they know how to make a great crust.

[Peripatetic]

Agree that Bake 'n Broil is simply outstanding. Moffett's is also very good. You can get Moffett's pies at Huntington Meats at the Farmer's Market at 3rd and Fairfax. My wife laments that they don't have peas and carrots in them, but, personally, I prefer them this way (with vegetables on the side).

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Huntington Meats
6333 W 3rd St # 350, Los Angeles, CA

Bake 'n Broil
3697 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807

[Will Owen]

At the now-defunct Henry Moffett's on Lakewood, we were always practically alone in the dining room, while the pie counter was often jammed. The one time I ate at Moffett's in Arcadia, there was a good lunch crowd, but again it was the pies-to-go counter that was getting perhaps 80% of the business. The downside to this was that the booths nearest the door were occupied by very old people, and the line of pie customers was holding the door wide open on a very cold day!

Anyway, it appears that quite a few people share Peripatetic's taste in chicken pies. My only criticism would be that although you can get one with mixed light and dark meat, or one with all white meat, there is no all-dark option. I would gladly pay extra for that...

[Servorg]

Will, you are close to downtown LA aren't you? Have you tried the pot pie at Wood Spoon? If you do I would be interested in reading your take on it.

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Wood Spoon
107 W 9th St, Los Angeles, CA 90015

[Will Owen]

I'm in Pasadena, which is in fact very close to downtown (less than 15 minutes except at 9 AM!), but I don't get to eat there that much. I have yet to try anything at Wood Spoon. Anyone else? Because I'm curious too.

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Wood Spoon
107 W 9th St, Los Angeles, CA 90015

[Mattapoisett in LA]

We love the Wood Spoon Pot pie. Non traditional but Delish.

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Wood Spoon
107 W 9th St, Los Angeles, CA 90015

[degustateur]

Hi Servorg, Will,

As I alluded to above, Wood Spoon cranks out an incredible Brazilian chicken pot pie. The artful raised “wood” spoon centered on top hints at something special within. Oh, so true! The crust is phenomenal – light and flaky, yet buttery and substantial. It’s filled to the brim with tender white meat chicken, hearts of palm, a bit of roasted corn and, sometimes, a stray olive. The overall consistency is notably drier than most which doesn’t sound too appealing conceptually but turns out very well in execution. Best of all, one of these pies is a real meal, especially when enjoyed with the delicious accompanying field greens salad and a carafe of Natalie’s rockin’ sangria.

Wood Spoon is well worth a trip. The pork burger, Brazilian grills, sweet yam fries and black beans and rice are all also wonderful. I still have a tough time ordering anything but the chicken pot pie. Its THAT good.

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Wood Spoon
107 W 9th St, Los Angeles, CA 90015

[Will Owen]

"It’s filled to the brim with tender white meat chicken..."

Lost me there. This is the part I would happily save for cat food.

[JBC]

Out of curiosity "degustateur " ~ Have you ever been to an English eating establishment and had a "Chicken & Mushroom" Pie in the L.A. area that you've enjoyed ?

Something like:

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/40...

[degustateur]

Hi JBC,

The Old Ship (Fullerton, Santa Ana) is the only English establishment where I’ve eaten chicken pie proper. I say proper since they also serve bridies, pasties and cottage pies – all related yet each quite unique in and of itself and all good with a pint (or two) of Mangers Cider.

The OS chicken pie was quite good as is virtually everything on their menu that I’ve tried over the years. My only real reservation is that the pastry shell is more akin to an airy croissant that sits on top of the dish. I prefer pies that are fully encased within their crust – top, bottom and sides.

I know that Ye Olde King’s Head in Santa Monica serves up similar fare but I’ve yet to try its versions.

The Olde Ship
709 N Harbor Blvd
Fullerton, CA 92832
[phone]

1120 W 17th St
Santa Ana, CA 92706
[phone]
http://www.theoldeship.com

Ye Olde King’s Head
16 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[phone]
http://www.yeoldekingshead.com

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17th St Cafe
1610 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403

The Olde Ship
709 N Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92832

[SeaCook]

I second The Olde Ship chicken & mushroom pie and everything else on their menu. I prefer the Fullerton location because it's closer.

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The Olde Ship
709 N Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92832

[OCAnn]

3rd The Olde Ship (also prefer Fullerton spot due to proximity *and* cozier atmosphere).

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The Olde Ship
709 N Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92832

[Emme]

don't know if you can take them out, but Kate Mantilini does a pretty good pot pie. not cheap, but good.

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Kate Mantilini Restaurants
9101 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[maudies5]

Agree that Kate has a good pot pie. Re: Daily Grill: They USED to have a great chicken pot pie. The quality has seriously declined.
Reasons: 1. "broth" tasted like library paste was used to start the thing.
2. Where's the chicken?
3. Did the crust come right out of the Pillsbury can?
4. Where is the seasoning? This is a pie one would expect in a nursing home.
5. No surprise that the Brentwood Daily Grill continues to cut its hours..

[Emme]

sad, huh? DG did used to have a good one...

[maudies5]

I loved the Daily Grill Chicken pot pie. That, and the "Joe's Special" were my go-to dishes. As long-time Brentwood residents, we were excited when DG opened and frequently went there. It is really sad to see what has happened. This restaurant used to have lines waiting outside on Sundays with families eagerly awaiting a great brunch (Now closed until 5 on weekends). As well, it was a great venue for a business lunch, family dinner; just a great neighborhood restaurant with very satisfying and well-prepared food. I am in the Brentwood Gardens several times a week and the Daily Grill is just dead at lunch. My last experience with the chicken pot pie was, indeed my last experience with the DG. It was so disgusting. I called the restaurant and complained (I was not looking for a refund). Their response was very defensive. They refused to acknowledge that their Chicken Pot Pie was lacking chicken. Perhaps, the neighborhood folks have just gotten smarter about food and that is why restaurants (e.g. Tavern) which are excellent are doing well and the mediocre ones are empty.

[Emme]

years ago, we'd order a clean Joe's Special, with turkey, egg whites, and no oil. twas tasty.

my stepdad liked their meatloaf.

and there was some vegetable pasta dish with capers that i used to order with extra marinara sauce and no olives.

oh, and the daily cobblers... the apple-peach one.

[Servorg]

You might see about the ones at Bite Bar & Bakery on Pico. At the moment they are open only for breakfast through lunch (8 AM to 3 PM) but they are about to begin dinner service at the end of this month.

I don't know if Thyme on Ocean Park Blvd. just west of 17th St. has them or not? But if they do they would be worth trying. Finally, Clementine in Century City normally has excellent ones.

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Clementine
1751 Ensley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Thyme Cafe & Market
1630 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Bite Bar & Bakery
3221 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405

[maudies5]

I am a big fan of Clementine's chicken pot pie. The broth is excellent. Lovely fresh vegetables & nice chunks of chicken breast. I don't eat the crust. I heat the pie in the oven and when pie is brown, remove the pie and puncture the crust. I think of the crust as foil. Something to keep in the heat and flavor but not chow-worthy.

[Ogawak]

Bite has stopped making pot pies. Too bad. It seems it took too long in the kitchen.