Do People Still Eat Pie and Mash?
Pie and mash originated in the 1800’s as a very simple and cheap meal. At first the pie fillings were made from cooked eels which were bought from the many fishing boats that visited the River Thames. These would be made each day and sold on the streets by travelling pie sellers. Times soon changed and aspiring pie men moved their businesses to shops where their customers could eat at a table in relative comfort. Mashed potato and stewed eels were also available in these new shops. As eels grew more expensive the more readily available beef was used as the filling and the pie and mash meal as we now know it was born. These pie, mash and liquor shops flourished during the war years with some estimates of over 200 shops in and around the London area.The shops were popular with the poorer classes who could eat a filling meal for little money. Many shops were opened near markets and docks to catch the business from all the workers who toiled long hours and needed a quick meal. Many pie and
