Mt Tamborine -- Pies

If you're an American reading this, forget everything you know about pies.  I am not here to blog about pastry desserts with a fruit filling.  If you're an Aussie reading this you'll already know that I'm talking about meat pies.  A staple of Australian cuisine.  But unless you've been to Mt Tamborine Winery, forget everything you know about pies too (and head there immediately if you're anywhere near the Brisbane/Gold Coast area).

Australian lingo lesson (Part 1):  "Pie" -- Individual sized savory pie with a pastry crust and meat & gravy filling.   The fillings vary from the most basic beef mince in gravy to curried chicken, steak and mushroom and for the vegetarian, spinach and feta (although an Aussie might debate that it's no longer a pie when you take out the meat...besides, I've yet to meet a vegetarian Queenslander!).  They can be purchased frozen at the local supermarket or ready-to-eat at just about any bakery or even the local "servo" (gas station).  And pies are acceptable fare for any time of day.

Now I know, as an American-born, former vegetarian I'm not really qualified to judge the "best pie" in Queensland, but my Brisbane-born, meat-loving husband has certainly had more than his fair share of pies in the last 30+ years (far more than the 12 per year that Wikipedia claims the average Australian eats!), and he backs me on this.   And if you need further proof, there's a real competition with real judges (whom I assume are real Aussies), and Mt Tamborine Winery has won about 6 years straight, as it turns out. 

The details...

Best Pies:  Mt Tamborine Winery & Homestead
Location:  About an hour from Brisbane, 128 Long Road, Mt Tamborine (Eagle Heights) 
Hours:  Open 9:00am - 4:00pm daily

What to order:   Any pie that suits your mood.  Choices include Steak & Red Wine, Cheese & Bacon, Beef Stroganoff, and so much more! 

While you're there... wander along the same street for some eclectic shopping (Need fiber-optic trees for your home fiber-optic forest?  Look no further.  Need a cuckoo clock?  Choose from hundreds at a shop just right across the road)  Oh yeah, and you might as well take in the beautiful views from one of the many walking trails on Mt Tamborine.  And what's a good treat after a nice, long hike?  You guessed it, more pies!