SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

...Pork Pies.Now, being an East Leeds lad, I always assumed that the finest growlers were from Wilsons of Crossgates (and Morley). They are championship winners after all and (according to the sign) have featured on the Terry Wogan show.However, I was in Otley the other day and passed Weegmanns butchers and remember my old dad used to swear by their pork pies, to the point that if we were in Otley he used to go buy one.So, I went and bought one myself and I have to say it was the finest pork pie I can ever recall having. It really was that good.But later on while still in Otley, I passed another butchers (Geo Stephensons?) who also had signs up proclaiming their award winning pork pies. Having already purchased a pie from Weegmanns, I foolishly decided not to sample their wares, but now regret this and intend to put it right on my next visit (in the interests of research, obviously).But the question remains - who makes the best pork pies in Leeds?

Wilson's have a shop on Armley Town St now,not bad pies.Stephensons aren't too bad at WortleyEverybodyhas different ideas,if you can get them straight out of the oven thats best.

I've tried Wilsons and can't say that I'm impressed. The deli in Morley market sells better ones, but I've no idea where they come from. The best pork pies used to come from Greens in Morley. When I were a lad I used to fetch pies on Saturday mornings for work, in two carrier bags, on my pushbikes handlebars, keeping them upright so as not to spill the gravy.The best pork pies I've tasted in recent years come from a butcher's in Steeton and another butchers in Liversedge.

The best I had was from butchers in York, proper old one, traditional hams etc, I forget the name, in one of the old streets near the minster. Was there a few weeks ago and its closed. :-(I'm actually quite fond of your bog standard ainsley's pie. it's not the greatest but it's familiar.

Sorry, computer wobbles but I do like my pies!

Sorry, computer wobbles but I do like my pies!It's doing it again.

The last time I was in Leeds [the Secret Leeds 1st birthday party] I came home armed with a dozen Wilson’s growlers and six oven bottom cakes from Greggs.While the pies were good, they weren’t as good as I remember them.I was tempted to bring fish & chips from Coe's but thought that they'd stink the car out.

Coe's at Crossgates (once excellent) changed hands maybe a year or more ago, and in my humble opinion are no longer anywhere near as good.

BLAKEY wrote: Coe's at Crossgates (once excellent) changed hands maybe a year or more ago, and in my humble opinion are no longer anywhere near as good. Hmm, I know what you mean, Blakey. While the F&C were far and away better than any of the rubbish you get in London, they weren’t too sparkling and, to heap insult on ignominy, they were in a polystyrene box!

raveydavey wrote: ...Pork Pies.Now, being an East Leeds lad, I always assumed that the finest growlers were from Wilsons of Crossgates (and Morley). They are championship winners after all and (according to the sign) have featured on the Terry Wogan show.However, I was in Otley the other day and passed Weegmanns butchers and remember my old dad used to swear by their pork pies, to the point that if we were in Otley he used to go buy one.So, I went and bought one myself and I have to say it was the finest pork pie I can ever recall having. It really was that good.But later on while still in Otley, I passed another butchers (Geo Stephensons?) who also had signs up proclaiming their award winning pork pies. Having already purchased a pie from Weegmanns, I foolishly decided not to sample their wares, but now regret this and intend to put it right on my next visit (in the interests of research, obviously).But the question remains - who makes the best pork pies in Leeds? Hi Davey. The Geo Stephenson's you refer to could be Geo Wilkinson's (Boroughgate) or Middlemiss' (to the left of The Black Bull.) Middlemiss has a sign in the window proclaiming championship winning pies, 2008. I've not had a pie from Wilkinson's, but can vouch for both Weegman's and Middlemiss'. I'm told the latter's pies are made by the people who had the pork butchers on Bondgate, now sadly closed. I personally prefer Middlemiss' pastry, but Weegman's meat, but they're very close! I'm a fussy bugger!