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Original poster

So... What are the best mince pies?

470 replies

DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 21/11/2005 12:15

.. and i don't mean the crappy standard ones. i mean the finest ones ever. i was always partial to tesco 'finest' and sainsbury 'taste the diff' but someone last year recommended the next step up on the posh scale to 'Duchy Originals' which i've bought but haven't tucked into yet.

which are the very very best in your opinions?

OP posts:
cod · 30/11/2005 20:07

Message withdrawn

CheekymonkeysGreatestHits · 30/11/2005 21:05

We had M&S today at work, the pastry was nice but there was hardly any filling in them. Sainsburys deep filled were great last year.Mmmmmmmm yummy Christmas food

Pip · 30/11/2005 21:08

I can't believe this thread is still going! 403 messages. I'm telling you, you'll all be fed up of them by Christmas!

I'm just jealous cos I live abroad and I can't get them here.

mummyhill · 30/11/2005 21:13

PIP you can never have too many mince pies I feel quite sad when they stop selling them till the following year I know but there you go.

Pip · 30/11/2005 21:16

I want some!

mummyhill · 30/11/2005 21:17

Bless maybe a friend could send you a care parcel full of mince pies????

Original poster
DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 01/12/2005 09:03

cod - i just assumed that the mini ones were same as the biggins, just smaller.

for instance, the duchy originals i tried were minis and I just assumed the big ones were made out of the same stuff.

Pip - where are you because yes, you couldn't get them in canada, especially after the last of the M&S's shut down for good over there. none of my mates even know what a mince pie is the horror!! my parent's were british ex-pats and used to get them at M&S (1.5 hours drive away) or get people to bring them over.

OP posts:
cod · 01/12/2005 09:21

Message withdrawn

Enid · 01/12/2005 09:23

the mini ones are better

the waitrose full size are a bit sickly

Original poster
DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 01/12/2005 09:23

oh crap!! nevermind. my taste test has some major deficiencies but I will stand by my waitrose best pie judgement. it wasn't even a close race, this pie was head and shoulders over the rest so take the assumption that the minis are really good as well

OP posts:
Original poster
DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 01/12/2005 09:24

sickly!!?

they were quite heavy but I thought that was a good thing.

OP posts:
Original poster
DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 01/12/2005 09:25

well... if the mini ones are even better than they are most def the best pies in existence (other than home made of course)

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Original poster
DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 01/12/2005 09:25

then even.

OP posts:
Enid · 01/12/2005 09:26

remember I am pg so therefore = unreliable in the taste dept

cod · 01/12/2005 09:26

Message withdrawn

Original poster
DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 01/12/2005 09:27

i did, about 15 minutes ago....

OP posts:
cod · 01/12/2005 09:28

Message withdrawn

GREATauntymandy · 01/12/2005 14:22

ok is there a verdict yet of the best ones?

MrsDoolittle · 01/12/2005 14:25
  1. Waitrose All Butter - By far the best pie by a long shot. This is a superior pie and i'm not just saying that. right from the golden brown finish to the perfect, tangy filling.

  1. Tesco Finest - A surpise here. This is prob the most popular pie and given tesco's nature, will probably be on 50% to 60% of tables this xmas. This is an unusual pie. shallow and saucer like and kinda weird looking but the taste is lovely and it deserves to be at the top.

  2. M&S Luxury Deep Filled - A fine pie but like many other things M&S, doesn't quite meet the 'best of the best' requirements. M&S are getting lazy.

  3. Duchy Originals - Excellent pastry, terrible filling. Extremely expensive. The pastry is superior (similar to waitrose) but the filling really lets this pie down.

  4. Sainsbury's Taste the diff - Not all bad but too sweet, cheap gooey pastry and mediocre filling.

  5. Asda Extra Luxury - Not good. They look impressive but the filling is too strong and cheap tasting and the pastry is truly awful.

  6. Somerfield - Shouldn't even be on here. A truly minging pie.

I have printed it out and stuck it up in our kitchen.
I luuuuurve mince pies

GREATauntymandy · 01/12/2005 14:28

right I better head to my nearest Waitrose!!
Are they value for money too?
What about Asda's bog standard are they no good? Not tried them this year!

amynnixmum · 01/12/2005 15:23

So DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose did you check out the Aldi Luxury ones yet? What's your expert verdict? Are they really as good as dh says or was that just his shameless attempt to increase sales

Original poster
DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 01/12/2005 16:45

still haven't got the Aldi ones yet. i'll try for tomorrow.

GAM - waitrose are also value for money - £1.99 which is getting up there but is about par with M&S.

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Original poster
DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 01/12/2005 16:46

GAM - didn't try Asda bog standard. I don't DO bog standard

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Original poster
DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 01/12/2005 16:50

I love the fact that MrsDoolitle has my review up on her fridge ... it makes me feel special.

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DoesntChristmasDragOn · 01/12/2005 17:23

Should this not be in the "reviews" section f MN?