Meal In A Pie (South African)

A few years back, a South African friend exposed me the Kalahari Bar, a local joint where all the SA transplants hang to watch rugby matches, eat boerwors (a corriander spiced sausage), and drink Castle Lager....ah, the good old days.  One day at one of our many KB outings, I took a little walk to get some fresh air and discovered that, a few doors down, there was a little South African import store (I wouldn't have noticed it had it not been for the SA flag hanging just outside the front door). This little gem, Meal-In-A-Pie, sits one block off Federal Hwy and no one would even know it existed if they weren't looking for it. Tragic, really, considering they have a lot to offer.  Anyone that's been to South Africa knows about boerwors, biltong, appletiser/grapetiser, rusks, and............pies.  And M-I-A-P serves it all!

Having spent my childhood in South Africa, there's a sweet nostalgia when consuming or even thinking about savory pastries or "pies."  For South Africans, pies are like what tacos would be for us-- something quick, delectable, and served everywhere from grocery store delis to specialty pie shops.... And also like the taco, it seems to have the full meal experience in a single hand-held (only if you were South African, you would use a fork and knife) item.  My favorite happens to be lamb curry pie, though I have to say beef is not far behind.  A very lame attempt at describing them would be that they are a rectangular light, flaky pastry (giving you that soft crunch sound when you bite into it) encasing a thick, savory meat and vegetable (or vegetable only) filling. 

Pies are perfect on-the-go meals....and good thing because you don't have much room (though you are welcome to stay) to eat them at Meal-In-A-Pie.

For a taste of South Africa, stop on by Meal-In-A-Pie and order up a "pie" (any of them), a grapetiser (or Castle Lager depending on the time of day), and a 1/4 lb of biltong (cured meat).

Check it out:
4440 NE 20th Ave
Oakland Park, FL  33308
Tel.  (954) 202-9118