Pie and mash – a cockney classic that does what it says on the tin with no added frills.
It’s a simple meal, but people really seem to make it their own with a choice of seasonings and varying meal sizes.
After seeing all the buzz about it online, I decided I’d try it for myself from Robins Pie & Mash in Romford’s South Street.
I placed my order of one pie and one mash with liquor at the counter, thankful for the help of the friendly staff after revealing I’d never tried it before.
One pie, mash, liquor, and a can of R Whites lemonade set me back £7.50 – not bad for a hot meal with a drink in London.
Within mere minutes I had a plate of steaming food in front of me.
I must admit that I made a slight fool of myself as I searched around for a knife, only to be told that a fork and spoon is the only way to go about eating the dish!
After getting some tips on how best to enjoy the meal, I decided to add a sprinkling of pepper and generous lashings of chilli vinegar all over.
The smell of the pastry was so comforting, and exactly what I needed with the recent turn in the weather.
The filling was rich and was balanced out perfectly by the pepper and vinegar in the liquor.
I’ve never been a big fan of mash, but found it thoroughly enjoyable when paired with the rest of the components. It had just the right texture, not too smooth and not overly lumpy.
I suppose there’s a reason this has been such a long-term staple dish!
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I enjoyed the rest of my meal happily looking out onto South Street, and was pleasantly surprised at seeing the warm interactions between staff and customers.
After trying this quintessential east London meal, I can confidently say I now understand the love for it and would definitely order it again.
Not only can comfort be found in the plate of warm, hearty food, but also in the atmosphere inside Robins.
