Review: Jester’s Pies, Howick
Website: http://www.jesters-pies.co.nz; Ph: 09 533 8160; 20 locations around New Zealand; pies from $3.70, combos from $5.
Rating: A
(A=return customer, AA=worth going weekly, AAA=so awesome so awesome so awesome)
We took a bit of a breather from formal sit-down occasions for this date night, and dropped into Jester’s Pies in Howick for a relaxed dinner. Yes, they sell pies, as well as the associated drinks, wedges, and other tidbits hungry people add to their meals.
The main point of difference that these guys have are would be… well… their pies. They’re baked using proprietary equipment (they’re called “Jaffle pies”), with thin and puffed pastry that don’t seem to retain oil like the standard bakery pies do.
My favourite pie was the ‘Spud Deluxe’, which had a mix of beef mince, bacon and a cheesy potato mash filling. The pastry is definitely light and beautifully sweet. C enjoyed her baked butter-chicken varietal: the ‘Maharaja’ almost works like a mega-samosa (shaped like a pie, of course). The ingredients taste fresh and pleasantly savoury sans the greasiness.
While it’s true that the pies carry the National Heart Foundation endorsements, on examining their nutritional makeup their health benefits seem to be a bit of a commercial gimmick – I suspect they’re given because Jester’s a healthier choice of pie, rather than a healthier food choice in general. But having Heart ticks across your food paper bag is definitely the more interesting way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
All in all, it was a, well, rounded meal. I had to talk C out of buying takeaway packs for the freezer, but we may just have to next time our appetites warrant it!
5 Responses
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Jesters pies are delicious, the pastry comes from Australia and is low fat, the fillings have no ofal, the top ingredients are used, they are made on the premises in Jaffle Pie Makers, which cook in 6 minutes, so they are continuously made all day long, fresh and divine. The heart tick is definitely not a “commercial gimmick”!!
Love em. But, as much a fan as I am, I suspect an apple may – possibly – still be lower fat than a Jester’s pie!
who manufactures the equipment to produce jaffle pies like jesters ?
Hi Harry, Jesters use their own jaffle pie makers to my knowledge. Recently saw one of the machines sold on trademe, perhaps the seller could help you out.
I have 9 that I had made in Perth. They are exactly the same as the Jesters Pie makers. I advertised 1 on Trademe but it remained unsold. These are new, unused & are for sale at $NZ600 each. From memory, 7 years ago Jesters were selling theirs to the franchisees for $AUD850 ($NZ1050). Email me – honem246@hotmail.com if you are interested.