Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Is There a Better Aussie Meat Pie Place in Sydney Than Harry's Cafe de Wheels?

I've been eating Meat Pies at Harry's Cafe de Wheels in Woolloomooloo, Sydney for the last 20 years. Twenty years ago the Finger Wharf (Woolloomooloo Wharf) was a decrepit pile of lumber and Harry's Cafe de Wheels was a REAL lunch wagon, actually on wheels and located at the S/E corner of Dowling Street and Cowper Wharf Road, diagonally across the street from its' present location. About 15 years ago Harry's moved across the street to a location just East of the Navy Base gate, then about 10 years ago it moved West of the gate to its' present spot. Sadly, I feel that as Harry's has expanded with new locations around Sydney, and with the pies now being made at a central bakery, the quality has suffered as well.

Can anyone recommend a better place in Sydney for a typical Aussie meat pie, or is Harry's still the Local's choice? I'm actually partial to Yatala Pies as served up at their famous place South of Brisbane. The Yatala Beef and Mushroom pie is hard to beat, in my opinion!

Also, as I recall, there was a fairly decent pie place on the North side of the Corso in Manly... I think that it was the original Shakespeare's Pies, but I may be wrong. The last time I tried the fare there I was not pleased with what was served up and the coffee was crappy!

Actually, I'd like recommendations for good pies available in Brisbane and Melbourne as well as Sydney! Thanks...

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If you find youself in the CBD, check out The Strand Arcade, aka "The Strand" - http://www.strandarcade.com.au/IPOH/STRAND/me.get?site.sectionshow&PAGE115 - Located between King and Market streets, it runs between George Street and the Pitt Street Mall, with entrances on both George and Pitt Streets. On the ground floor, in the middle of the arcade, is a coffee cart that sells delicious meat pies, of an excellent quality. If it's convenient for you, and you get to try some, I'm sure you will find them superior also. Cheers!

(Thanks for the link, BiziBB!) ^ ^

Personally I find the Harrys pretty rubbish the pies aren't flaky at all. This may sound heretic but I find most patisseries have pretty good pies, nice sauce and chunky bits of meat not mince and of course flaky pastry.

Personally I find the Harrys pretty rubbish the pies aren't flaky at all. This may sound heretic but I find most patisseries have pretty good pies, nice sauce and chunky bits of meat not mince and of course flaky pastry.

^ ^ That describes the pies from the cart in The Strand perfectly! "Nice sauce, chunky bits of meat - not minced (ground) - and flaky pastry!".

Thanks, bensyd!

And again, a big Thank You to JohnSydney2000 who met me for breakfast prior to his going to work, and took me up to the dining room on the 14th floor of the Halls of Justice building on the corner of King and Maquarie, IIRC. Great view of the Harbour, great Eggs Benedict, delicious coffee, and open to the public! What a great "insiders tip". It was soooo good, I brought Mrs. kaukau to brunch there the next day. We were impressed to see the Solicitors all dressed in their wigs and robes! Fantastic!

Yatala pies (half way between the Gold Coast and Brisbane) beat Harry's hands down (IMHO). Best thing is you can drive through grab your pies with peas, potato and gravy seperate and then 'design' your floater at home - yummmmmm. These were the only craving I had when I was pregnant