For the former Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones, a plate of pie and mash is a priority when back in London. Jones can’t get the Cockney classic when in glitzy LA, which is where he spends most of his time, and so the yearning is deep and true.
A quick glance at Jones’s Instagram reveals his love for this essential eating, usually posting a number of pie emojis to indicate how many he’s tackled with each pilgrimage. Most recently, he visited Cockneys on Portobello Road (he’s a West Londoner after all) but below we’ve listed his three out and out favourites.
We’re sure the musician will be on the parsley liquor soon enough this National Pie and Mash Week, or at least celebrating the next time he’s in town.
A Cooke’s
Jones’s favourite in Shepherd’s Bush sadly closed in 2015, but still delivers pies to the local community. Established back in 1899, the west London stalwart continued to serve Jones the classic combinations of meat pies, mash and liquor until the end. It was here that he famously described his misspent youth, filling his belly as a schoolboy, noting: “Fsh and chips wasn’t our thing”.
Order online at cookespieandmash.com
M Manze Tower Bridge
M Manze on Tower Bridge Road seems to be a firm Steve Jones favourite, with the guitarist frequenting the pie and mash shop at least a dozen or so times in the past year. Opened in 1891, M Manze claims the title of the oldest in London. Over the decades, it has survived the blitz, the Peckham riots, fraud legal battles and gentrification, and today fourth generation owners Emma and Tom oversee the same family business.
87 Tower Bridge Road, SE1 4TW, manze.co.uk
Arments
Longstanding battles between Bermondsey locals rage on. Where is the best pie and mash? Arments is ever in the mix and the 115-year history hasn’t escaped Jones, who has ventured over more than once. The shop transcends a simple restaurant and is something of a community hub. And it enjoys a sterling reputation, both locally and nationally, with folks from Kent to Manchester making the pilgrimage to Walworth for a taste.
7 Westmoreland Road, SE17 2AX, armentspieandmash.com
