A brief history of
eels pie and mash
History 2008

'My Mum' Memories Poster Series Available on Request

The way people would grab a takeaway in Victorian London was to purchase a pie from one of the 600 piemen that walked up and down the streets. You could choose between a meat pie, a fruit, fish or an eel one, these would be sold straight off their trays, the transaction was done from the pavement as most couldn't afford the outlay for a shop to sell their goods from.
The piemen would have to wake early and row their boats over to the British and foreign vessels that moored up on the river Thames, from here their stock of fish would be transported over to the legendry Billingsgate Market, established in 1600s. The piemen were after the eels being sold, which was part of the staple diet of Londoners, these eels were in fact very healthy to eat as they contained the omega oils, which helped to reduce cholesterol.
Once they had bought their preferred choice of eels the race was on to get them back home to make the pies and sell them while they were still fresh. They were sold with vinegar flavouring, or pea or parsley sauce, this is where the original recipe of pie 'n' mash came from. These pie men gave poor, working class families the chance of a hot meal at an affordable price. This was the Londoners rice.
About 1850 the first dated record of an Eel and Pie shop was recorded, it had sold mashed potato as well as pies, this would start the demise of the street piemen. These shops would have stalls outside, selling live eels for families to take home and cook. Inside was kitted out with marble floors and tables together with pictures and mirrors which hung on he walls, the floors would be covered with sawdust, to gather up the eel bones that were spat out.
Everything was kept very clean indeed and needed to be to attract custom as more and more shops took to opening up new branches, most were located near markets, thus bringing business from the working class stallholders, dockers and factory workers.
When the war came it bought with it rationing, food was hard to come by, but the pie shops helped with this by supplying food to people with nutritional value. When the war had finally finished, London enjoyed itself and beer and pie 'n' mash would be consumed like never before. It was a busy time for all.
The mid 50s saw a swift rise in rent, and so a lot of the factories moved out to the Home Counties, taking with them the local working class population in pursuit of jobs. Convenience foods took a grip on the high street and the decline of Pie'n'Mash shops had slowly started as a consequence.
Pie and Mash in Decline?
Not Yet! Along came the Net :-)
The Story Continues ~ The Last Pieman

We Now Make Deliveries To You on:
Thursdays ideal for the weekend

You can place your order straight into the freezer to have another day, or in the refrigerator which must be eaten within three (3 days) following delivery.

Our Product is as Good as it Gets!

Delivered to Mainland UK Only All menu items are pre cooked
All Pies are 100% Mince Beef unless stated
So you are ordering a TakeAway system well packaged!!!

4 Pies 4 Mash 4 Liquor £20

Order by Telephone 0796 9370253 (Local Call Rate)
All Cards Taken

Packaging and Delivery We use an Express Courier Service so our products are with you within 24 hours on leaving our kitchens. A Maximum £6.50 P+P applies to all sales, so you can order as many menu items as you wish for ONLY £6.50 P&P.
Somebody must be at home on the day of delivery to sign for the package, we cannot give you a guaranteed time normally between 9am to 4pm.
From any orders above which include Pies, you can substitute any number of Pies for our Vegetarian Pie or Burnt Pies. You can also substitute portions of Liquor for A Pie Shop Beef Gravy mix. All this can be done after you have placed an order. For larger celebration packs telephone for instant Quote 0796 9370253 (Local Call Rate)

Any questions, quotes, views, news or gossip please mail me pieman@eelhouse.co.uk mail me Now!   pieman@eelhouse.co.uk
or Call me 0796 9370253 (Local Call Rate)

Nostalgia Party Poster Series Available on Request

Seasonal and Event Poster Series Available on Request
     

Other Posters Available for Event Organisers, will include Your Venue Dates, Ticket Prices, Contact Numbers.
Tramps Ball ~ with Pie Mash and Liquor Meal
Cockney Night ~ with Pie Mash and Liquor Meal
Fancy Dress Ball ~ with Pie Mash and Liquor Meal
Swinging 60's Night ~ with Pie Mash and Liquor Meal
St George's Day Celebration ~ with Pie Mash and Liquor Meal

Please Note: Posters should be placed for viewing at least 3 weeks prior to event for maximum ticket sales. No Fly Posting Please More Posters ~ Click-Here

Please give the telephone number out to your friends/Exiled Pie & Mashers! Who don't have internet access Tele: 07969 370253

Any questions, quotes, views, news or gossip
please mail me pieman@eelhouse.co.uk
mail me Now!   pieman@eelhouse.co.uk
or Call me 07969370253

The following links contain General Guidelines, Legislation and Regulations for the sale of food, labeling and packaging, which we have familiarised ourselves with and fully understand and abide by ~ and beyond!.
Pieman
UK Food Standards Agency
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

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