F Cooke Pie & Mash Hoxton — Restaurant in London

As a US traveler eager to indulge in traditional English fare, I was recommended this restaurant by an English friend.

Coming with family, we had mostly lingered in business districts filled with posh buildings and spotless streets. This place, by contrast, felt worn and honest. A local kind of space.

I ordered both the pie and the jellied eels, each unfamiliar to me. The pie was golden and flaky, filled with Scottish beef that was flavorful but swimming in broth. Topped with the signature parsley "liquor," the dish felt more like soup than pie. Yet the liquor's vegetal, slightly muddy flavor offered a curious balance to the richness of the pie and meat. The mashed potatoes, seemingly from an electric pot, were warm, slightly chunky, and deeply satisfying.

The jellied eels, on the other hand, were more puzzling than enjoyable. Cold and coated in salty gelatin, the eel pieces were tender but lacked much character. The heaping layer of gelatin remained largely untouched after coating the few bits of eel. While I appreciated the simplicity, I struggled to find the appeal.

The restaurant's atmosphere was somber and melancholic. Guests shuffled in slowly, some with distant gazes and hushed, tired voices. A man across the room argued loudly with someone over the phone while exchanging brief remarks with the staff. Beyond that the space remained quiet with guests either waiting or eating in silence. The menu was minimal, the staff straightforward, the setting raw and unadorned. Yet it felt real—honest in a way that more polished places rarely are.

I'm grateful to have experienced this side of English cuisine—a grittier, old-school working-class fare like jellied eels and parsley liquor pie—even if not every element suited my taste. While I had my hesitations, I can see what these dishes offer: the pie, hearty and comforting; the eels, perhaps a delicacy meant to be savored slowly.

Overall 6/10 — a humbling and...

I visited shop 2 weeks ago I have just lost my mum and was not aware of time but were customers still sat there before I could say anything the woman behind the counter started shouting at me and embarrassed me …she was so rude shouting we are closed …and no vegan pies left …I am in my early 50,s with children older then this woman !!! I left there angry it was on Saturday 4-4-24 it was around 5pm and did not state place was closing …I left there angry the way I spoken to for no reason .

I left situation down to the fact the woman had a stressful day at work .

Yesterday I was in the area again and went into shop At around 2pm as soon as I entered shop there was someone in front I went to counter to order and this awful woman started on me again this time due the way I was queuing up not my problem if shop is not laid at properly I tried to move and women started shouting at me again advising I was in the way and embarrassed me in front of other customers again .

I am going to be honest the women just didn’t like the look of me 2 weeks ago and yesterday I have never experienced this type of behaviour the women is crazy or she is racist which I honestly believe.

I left shop upset and tried to call owner but didn’t answer and also complained on instagram.

I have never had any problems with Pie mash shop in Roman road they are so friendly I will be definitely going there today .

I have never experienced such aggressive behaviour by someone who works with the general public should be dismissed…doesn’t know how to deal with customers she was was jealous of my appearance I could see the way she behaved I didn’t have a chance …

Awful...

I’d been meaning to get to a pie and mash shop in London and real authentic taste of London. After doing some research at New Southgate Cemetery around 16:15, I realised that this place shuts at 17:00 and faced a mad dash for pie and mash.

I wasn’t disappointed, arrived about 16:30, there were two people in there but one person I believed may have been the owner. I ordered large pie and mash with liqueur, not knowing what ‘liqueur’ was, but ordering it anyway. Quite simply, it was lovely, I’m not a big mash fan but it was beautifully done and the pie was so tasty, combined with the liqueur sauce it was a hearty and fulfilling meal. I even went as far as sending photos to my mate and Mum. The mate who claims to be a Londoner, had know idea what it was, so clearly not a real Londoner !

Pleasant atmosphere listening to the lady behind the counter and chap, who I may have believed to be the owner, talking shop and conversing back and forth with cockney accents that you could have rolled up and beaten someone over the head with.

I only spent half an hour but if I’m ever down that way I’d like to return and definitely recommend. As I left and said goodbye the chap said, “See you later son, mind how you go”, which tickled me.

It’s the London I’ve always wanted to experience and a perfect end to a day and well worth a mad dash from New...