Viva Fall River

Fall River Meat Pie Self-Guided Tour

Mar 28, 2022 | Eat & Drink Blog, Small Business, Visit

The self-guided tour features an interactive Google Map marking the locations (below) as well as a 7 episode, multi-part video series that takes the viewer on a behind-the-scenes look at each eatery.

About the Tour

Fall River has a lot of incredible food options from cultures around the world, reflecting the make-up of the community, both in the past (with its Polish, Portuguese, Italian, and French roots) and in the present, with the Cambodian diaspora and the more recent influx of Latin-American cultures. This metaphorical melting pot has created a diverse culinary culture where both residents and visitors can take a trip around the world in just a few bites. And although the recipes vary, the intent behind them is often the same: Food allows new arrivals the opportunity to share their traditions with their new neighbors, and at the same time, preserve their connection to their homeland.

Food transcends all language barriers and differences in cultures and unites us in ways that allow us to share are create new culutral experiences with our new communities. Nearly every culture has a “hand pie”, or what we’re referring to colloquially as a “meat pie”. Wiktionary defines the hand pie as a “semilunar pastry with either a sweet or savory filling, formed by placing a dollop of filling onto a circular piece of biscuit-style dough and then folding it over and crimping it shut. They may be baked, fried or deep-fried. A pasty.” Call it what you will, make it whatever shape, and with the filling of your choice, but each culture has a “meat pie”.

In keeping with our mission to highlight and celebrate the best that Fall River has to offer, Viva Fall River set out to create a means for people to discover the array of delicious “meat” pies within our city limits, and moreover, to learn about the cultures and the community members who create them.

If we’ve missed any of YOUR favorites, please let us know! We did some extensive research (and tasting!) to find the 11 featured locations on our list, but if we inadvertantly missed one, please email us at vivafallriver@gmail.com.

How to Do the Tour

Any which way you please! Click on the Meat Pie Icon on the Google Map above to get information about each of the 11 restaurants listed below. The pop-ups give you a preview of what you can expect to find at each location, as well as pertinent contact information. As you plan your trip, please take note of the posted hours of operation. Some locations are closed mid-week. we also suggest giving the location a quick call before you head out; as the seasons change, hours may also be altered. We don’t want you to waste your time or miss out on these excellent pies!

Tour Locations (in alphabetical order)

Click on the Meat Pie Icon on the Map above to get information about each of the restaurants listed below.

  • Big Bazaar Indian Grocery
  • Hartley’s Original Pork Pies
  • Latino’s Restaurant
  • Leddy’s Bakery & Coffee Shop
  • Mario’s Lebanese Bakery
  • Patti’s Pierogis
  • Sam’s Bakery
  • New addition: Terminal Bakery
  • New addition: Sr. Marie Restaurant Fall River (stay tuned for the upcoming video!)
  • New addition: Daou Tesoro’s Supermarket
  • New addition: Joe’s Shish Kabob
  • New addition: Casa Ive Dominican Cuisine
  • New addition: Puerto and Ecua Restaurant

Behind the Pies – Fall River Meat Pie Tour Video Series

The Viva Team went on Pie Patrol to give you a behind the scenes look at the places and people who make these delicious pies!

 

EPISODE LIST – Watch Now on the Viva Fall River YouTube Channel

  • Episode 1: Hartley’s Pork Pies
    • Part 1: The “Secret” Behind Hartley’s Original Pork Pies
    • Part 2: “Hills, Mills, & Pork Pies”
    • Part 3: “Eat More Pie”
    • Part 4: Tasting the Difference
    • Bonus: One Bite with Hartley’s Original Pork Pies
  • Episode 2: Patti’s Pierogis
    • Part 1: The Ultimate Comfort Food
    • Part 2: The United Nations of Pierogis
    • Part 3: Pierogis and Paparazzi
    • Bonus: One Bite with Patti’s Pierogis
  • Episode 3: Mario’s Lebanese Bakery
    • Part 1: The Saint of Meat Pies
    • Part 2: One Bite with Mario’s Lebanese Bakery
  • Episode 4: Leddy’s Bakery & Coffee Shop
    • Part 1: Pies, Oh My!
    • Part 2: One Bite with Leddy’s Bakery & Coffee Shop
  • Episode 5: Sam’s Bakery
    • How Lucky Can One City Be?
  • Episode 6: Big Bazaar Indian Grocery
    • Hot Stuff! Samosas in the City
  • Episode 7: Latino’s Restaurant
    • “There’s nothing boring about this meat pie”