Pasties are traditionally a staple of a West Country diet. They have a rich history that stretches back to medieval times, but it was in the 17th century when they were popularised in the Cornish mines in the form we know them today.
While Bristol isn’t short of bakeries selling sourdoughs, pastries and other baked delights, there is a distinct shortage of proper West Country pasties. The historic Joe’s Bakery often gets a mention along with Parsons Bakery, but there are very few independent bakeries that specialise in traditional Cornish pasties in Bristol.
Tucked into one of the old railway arches on Oxford Street, near Temple Meads, is The Pasty Emporium. It first opened in 2005 by Jonathan Pearce, who was joined by Jacek Gorzynski three years later.
Read more: Miss Millie's launches vegan burger 'to meet demand of customers'
The landscape in The Dings is changing rapidly, currently enclosed by new building developments meaning that the businesses in the arches are often popular with construction workers. The shop was just finishing up on a Wednesday afternoon when I went over to sample one of its bakes for the first time.
I’m told their cheese and onion pasties are the clear favourite behind the Cornish steak filling, the latter of which comes in medium, large and giant sizes. Vegetarians can also choose from vegetable or ricotta and spinach filling, or a vegetarian sausage roll.
The cheapest option is a sausage roll (meat or vegetarian) for £1.40 going up to £5.25 for the giant Cornish steak pasty. You can also pick up a tea for £1.40 or a filter coffee for £1.75.
For £3.95, the cheese and onion pasty was expertly sealed with a thin layer of pastry and stuffed to the brim of filling. It may seem like a high price but it really was enormous and perpetuates the shop’s mantra of “a meal in your hand”, and is enough to fill you up and even save a bit for later.
And it's made with so much more care than a cheese and onion bake from Greggs, for example. The potato wasn’t dominant like it is from chain bakeries and you could actually taste the tang of the cheese and onion. The edges, which are often too soft and doughy from other bakeries, were neatly crimped and very crisp.
If pasties aren’t your thing, the shop sells a number of breakfast baps, paninis, sandwiches and salads. They also offer a catering service of homemade lunch items named after neighbourhoods in Bristol, starting at the cheapest option ‘The Redcliffe’ and stretching to ‘The Clifton’, the priciest selection.
The shop sometimes even stays open later in the evenings for a performance from The Dings Jazzmen to listen to while enjoying a pasty and a pint or two from Little Martha’s Brewery next door.
On my quest to find Bristol’s best pasty, this one was certainly one of the best I’ve ever had, and I’ll definitely be returning to sample some other items on the menu. I’m open to other suggestions from people who think may equal or even top The Pasty Emporium’s bakes, which is no easy feat - let us know in the comments section below.
Pasty Emporium is located at The Arches, Unit 24 Oxford Street, Temple Quay, Bristol BS2 0QT - open Monday to Saturday.
Up next:
