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Apple pie is the all-American move, and nobody is knocking it. But tucked into a small storefront in Montclair, a family-run bakery has been quietly converting New Jersey locals to a different kind of pie: the savory British kind, wrapped in thick, flaky crust and packed with real fillings.
Think Cornish pasties nearly the size of a dinner plate, steak and mushroom pies, and sausage rolls that send people home grinning. The shelves also hold imported groceries from across the pond, so homesick Brits and curious Jersey families end up shopping side by side.
Keep reading for the full scoop on what to order, when to go, how the tiny shop works, and why some regulars count down the days until the holidays just to grab one special pie.
A Little Slice of Britain on Watchung Avenue
Montclair has plenty of coffee shops and cafes, but only one storefront doubles as a passport stamp to the United Kingdom.
The Pie Store sits at 100 Watchung Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043, in Essex County, New Jersey. It is a bakery that specializes in savory and sweet British pies, and it also sells groceries imported from the U.K.
That combination makes it a bit of a two-in-one stop. One half of the visit is about pies baked on site, and the other half is browsing shelves of British snacks, sweets, and pantry items you rarely spot in a regular New Jersey supermarket.
The shop is small, and it has earned the nickname of a Montclair staple among people who have been coming for years. Some folks first stumbled in while running errands next door, while others found it through social media and made a special trip.
The overall tone is homespun rather than fancy. This is not a white-tablecloth spot, and it is not trying to be one.
It holds a 4.5-star standing from more than 400 opinions online, which says a lot for a little bakery doing something this specific. So what exactly is coming out of that oven?
The Couple Behind the Crust
Every good bakery has a heart, and here it comes with a husband-and-wife act.
The shop is run by Frankie and his wife, Samantha, who often goes by Sam. Regulars describe Sam mixing pie crust by hand while also handling vendors and greeting whoever walks through the door.
There is plenty of playful banter between the two of them behind the counter. For many customers, watching that easy back-and-forth is part of the fun of the visit.
Sam gets a lot of personal credit from longtime fans. People who return after a few years away often say the food is still just as good as they remembered, and that she is keeping the place right on track.
That family-run feel shows up in small ways too. One customer who phoned ahead found that the staff remembered the call and had the requested pies set aside at pickup.
For New Jersey families who love supporting a local, owner-operated business, this is the real deal. Names, faces, and familiar smiles are part of the package, and the welcome tends to make first-timers feel like they have been coming for years.
Pasties Built for Big Appetites
Hungry? Good, because the Cornish pasty here does not do small portions.
Pasties rank among the most talked-about items at the shop. The Cornish version is described as nearly as big as a person’s head, generously stuffed with ground beef, carrots, onions, and potatoes.
For anyone new to them, a pasty is a hand-held British pie with the filling folded inside a sturdy crust. It is a classic grab-and-go meal in the U.K., and it travels well for a road trip home.
The crust gets plenty of love on its own. Fans call it thick, rich, and flaky, which is exactly what you want holding all that filling together.
One pasty can easily handle lunch for one big eater. Splitting it with a partner, along with a sweet treat, is also a smart play.
Here is a fun fact for the kids in the back seat. Pasties are closely tied to Cornwall in southwest England, where they became a classic packed meal.
Of all the reasons to skip the apple pie for once, this hefty, crimped handful might be the most convincing one.
Meat Pies With Serious Substance
Steak and mushroom, chicken, shepherd’s pie: the savory lineup reads like a British pub menu, minus the pub.
The steak and mushroom pie is a regular favorite, loaded with big chunks of beef in a rich gravy. The chicken pie earns praise for tender, well-seasoned chicken inside a golden crust.
Chicken pot pie and shepherd’s pie also come up again and again. The chicken pot pie in particular is described as gigantic, big enough to share with friends.
A handy tip for shepherd’s pie fans: it is seasoned on the lighter side. That leaves room to add salt and pepper at home to suit your own taste.
Some regulars brush a little melted butter on top during the last few minutes in the oven. It is a small extra step that takes a homemade meal to the next level.
A pie with cheese and mushrooms has also appeared on the menu, though at least one customer found it simpler than expected. As with any bakery, favorites vary from person to person.
For a filling dinner without scrubbing a single pot, these savory pies are hard to top.
Sausage Rolls and Other Handheld Hits
Some treats are made for eating in the car, and the sausage roll is the undisputed champion of that category.
Sausage rolls show up often in conversations about the shop. They are a British staple: seasoned sausage wrapped in flaky pastry, sized for easy snacking.
They make a great pick for kids who want something simple. They are also a smart add-on for anyone already grabbing a bigger pie for dinner.
One thing to know before ordering: savory rolls are sold cold. Not everyone loves that, so plan to pop them in the oven at home for the best results.
The shop has also offered a Moroccan soup on colder days, which has earned fans of its own. Offerings like that can change, so check what is available on the day you visit.
A bag of sausage rolls is also a crowd-pleaser for a family gathering. One customer summed it up nicely by calling the shop the place to go if you want to be the hero at a family event.
Small in size, big in popularity, these little rolls punch well above their weight.
Sweet Side Surprises
Plot twist: one of the most talked-about pies at this British bakery is key lime.
The key lime pie actually leads the dessert chatter. It features a buttery graham cracker crust, a tart lime middle, and a thick cream topping.
A few folks say they wish they had grabbed the medium instead of the small. That is probably the best advice anyone can give here.
The apple pie still deserves its credit, despite the headline of this article. It is described as sweet but not too sweet, with a buttery crust, and many say it is even better served warm.
The fruit pie list runs deeper too. Strawberry rhubarb has impressed, including one Australian customer who said it tasted like home, and an apple, blackberry, and raspberry pie has its own fans.
A chocolate pie has been on the menu as well. Opinions on it are more mixed than on the key lime.
So yes, the savory pies steal the spotlight. But leaving without at least one sweet pie would be a missed opportunity.
Scones, Tarts, and Teatime Treats
Teatime has a home in Montclair, and it includes more than pies.
Scones are one of the most mentioned items at the shop. Flavors have included strawberry, chocolate chip, and a seasonal pumpkin, and warming them up first is a popular move.
Opinions on the scones are a little more divided than on the pies. Most people enjoy them, while a few prefer other picks.
Jam tarts and sponge cupcakes are also on offer. They pair naturally with a cup of tea, the way they would in a British kitchen.
Tea sandwiches have appeared too, including coronation chicken with arugula, cucumber with minted cream cheese, and smoked salmon with cream cheese and capers. That lineup is a fun way to host a mini afternoon tea at home.
For families, a box of tarts and cupcakes is an easy way to introduce kids to British treats. For couples, a teatime spread makes a sweet and low-key date night in.
Fun fact: coronation chicken was created for the coronation celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
Shelves Stocked From Across the Pond
Homesick Brits, take note.
Beyond the baked goods, the shop carries groceries imported from the U.K. The selection includes British snacks, sweets, and pantry items.
There is a candy section worth browsing, too. Kids tend to enjoy spotting unfamiliar wrappers and picking out something new to try.
Even packaged items like bacon have been sold here. It is a sign of how far the grocery side reaches beyond simple souvenir snacks.
Imported goods do come with higher prices, and some shoppers feel the cost runs steep. It helps to set a budget before you start filling your basket.
Also good to know: purchases are treated as final once you leave the shop. Double-check your bag at the counter before heading out the door.
For British expats and anyone who loves international food shopping, the shelves alone can justify the drive. A pie for dinner and a bag of imported treats for later make a pretty satisfying haul.
The Holiday Pie Worth Waiting For
Mark the calendar, because one pie only shows up for a limited run each year.
The turkey pie is available only around Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is filled with turkey, gravy, and vegetables inside the shop’s signature crust.
Some fans admit they count down the days until the season starts just to grab one. A few even buy several at a time.
Mince pies are another holiday-season pick. They are a traditional British Christmas treat, and first-timers have been pleasantly surprised, needing only about 15 minutes in the oven at home.
Holiday stops here also fit nicely with the shop-local spirit of the season. Picking up a pie means one less dish to make for a big family dinner.
Quick history bit for curious kids: British mince pies once held meat, but most modern versions are filled with a sweet mix of dried fruit and spices.
Seasonal items can sell quickly, so calling ahead before a holiday trip is a smart idea.
Bake-at-Home Rules to Remember
Here is the one thing that surprises first-timers most.
Items are sold cold. The pies, pasties, and rolls are meant to be warmed up at home rather than eaten hot at the counter.
Some customers wish items came out hot, so it pays to set expectations before you go. Others love the setup because it turns a quick stop into an easy home-cooked dinner later.
The staff often suggests warming items before eating. Even the apple pie gets the recommendation, and plenty of people agree it is better warm.
Plan your trip around that. A cooler bag in the trunk helps if you have other stops on the way home.
A short stint in the oven usually does the job. Mince pies, for example, need about 15 minutes.
Think of each pie as dinner that is mostly done. You handle the final step, and the bakery handles everything that came before it.
Cozy Quarters and a Four-Person Limit
Small shop, small crowd, and that is by design.
The interior is quaint and compact, with plenty of British charm. It has the feel of a neighborhood corner shop more than a big bakery.
At times, only about four people have been allowed inside at once. When orders get large, the line can move slowly.
Patience is part of the experience here. The upside is that each customer gets real attention at the counter.
Accessibility is a real concern worth knowing. There is a step up at the entrance, and the shopping area is small, so it is not easily wheelchair accessible.
For families with strollers, it may help for one adult to head inside while another waits nearby with the kids. Planning that ahead can make the stop smoother.
Music has been known to play in the background, adding to the relaxed mood. It is a laid-back stop for couples, curious foodies, and families who do not mind a short wait.
When the Oven Door Is Open
Timing matters, especially on Sundays.
The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM. Sunday hours are shorter, from 11 AM to 3 PM.
That makes it an easy add-on to a weekend outing in Montclair. A late-morning or early-afternoon visit usually fits well into a day trip schedule.
Popular items can run out, so earlier in the day may give you more choice. That is especially true around the holidays.
Calling ahead is a good habit here. Customers who phoned to ask about specific pies have had them set aside when they arrived.
Hours can change seasonally or around holidays, so check the shop’s website before you go. A quick look saves a wasted drive.
Since everything needs warming at home, a mid-afternoon pickup sets up dinner perfectly. Grab pies around lunch, run your other errands, and be ready to eat by evening.
Parking, Budgets, and Smart Planning
A little planning goes a long way on Watchung Avenue.
Street parking near the shop is limited. Give yourself a few extra minutes to circle the block, especially on busy weekend afternoons.
The shop sits in Montclair in Essex County, an easy drive from much of North Jersey. That makes it a realistic day trip for families who want a food-focused outing.
Budget is worth a quick thought too. Imported grocery items carry premium prices, and some customers feel the overall cost runs high.
Smaller pies can be a wallet-friendly way to sample. One customer once picked up a key lime and a chocolate pie for just over nine dollars, though prices may have changed since then.
Bigger pies can feed a whole family, which helps stretch the dollar. A single chicken pot pie, for example, is often shared among several people.
Bring a cooler bag, a short wish list, and a plan for dinner. With that, the trip stays fun and stress-free.
Why This Crust Earns a Detour
Apple pie will always have a place in American hearts, and this shop happens to make a good one.
Still, the real reason to make the drive is the savory side. Hefty pasties, meat pies, and sausage rolls give New Jersey families a taste of Britain without a plane ticket.
Add in the key lime pie, the teatime treats, and shelves of imported groceries, and the visit becomes a small adventure. Kids get to try something new, and couples get an easy dinner plan.
Behind it all is a husband-and-wife team who make regulars feel like family. That personal touch is exactly what keeps a local institution going year after year.
Go in knowing the ground rules. Items are sold cold, space is tight, parking is limited, and prices lean high on imports.
For most, those details are easy to work around. The result is a dinner that feels homemade, with none of the cleanup.
Skip the usual dessert run this weekend, point the car toward Montclair, and bring home a pie that might just start a new family tradition.
