Hartley’s Original Pork Pies | British Isles in Fall River, Mass.

Review by: Michael Stern

Roadfood Manifesto

Stepping out of Hartley’s Original Pork Pies on a drizzly August day, Chris Ayers, Amy Briesch, and I beamed with joy. “The more I travel, the more I feel that we are only scratching the surface,” Chris said. Amy added, “There is so much out there.” And, never missing a chance to climb upon my Roadfood soapbox, I declared that anyone who claims that American cuisine has become homogenized simply never looked for it. Fall River stands out as a city that is especially Roadfood-rich. Hartley’s is a great example.

Finding A Fall River Treasure

Our reverie was inspired by a pork pie, a slice of chouriço pizza, and a visit with Angelo and the staff of Hartley’s. They were the team of joyful jokers who made our original visit to this 120+ year-old bakery as much fun as it was delicious.

“Oh, no, here we go!” Angelo announced when he saw us walk in the door, cameras at the ready. “Tourists!” Faux exasperation competed with genuine hospitality as he took us around the kitchen. We saw the equipment that produces pork pie. Among the appliances, a vintage oven heated up Angelo’s lunch: a couple of strips of chorizo pizza. He offered us one to sample: bakery pizza supreme!

Savory Pork Pie

Savory pies date back to the days Fall River had a large population of immigrants from the British Isles. Hartley’s makes them as family-size nine-inchers and as individual pies the size of a large cupcake. In addition to traditional ground pork with gravy, variations include chicken pie, chouriço pie (reflecting Fall River’s large Portuguese-ancestored population), chili pie, and even Buffalo chicken pie that includes hot sauce and blue cheese. Salmon pies are available on Friday and Saturday. The pies’ fillings are good and hearty. Their crust is sensational – melting-rich and flaky the way only a crust made with lard can be.

There are no dining facilities at Hartley’s Original Pork Pies. We ate our meal off the console of the car.

What To Eat

Chorizo Pizza

DISH
Pork Pie

DISH

Hartley’s Original Pork Pies | British Isles in Fall River, Mass. Recipes

Discuss

What do you think of Hartley’s Original Pork Pies | British Isles in Fall River, Mass.?

2 Responses to “Hartley’s Original Pork Pies | British Isles in Fall River, Mass.”

Shannon Carreiro

December 11th, 2022

I had these fifty years ago while visiting my Portuguese husband’s hometown. I have never forgotten how delicious they were. Have searched for the recipe without success. I remember that we bought a dozen and packed them in a cooler for the drive back to San Diego. I ate them all before we were half way home. Wish they did mail order

Reply

Patti Oliver

October 28th, 2021

I love these pies! I have tried the pork, and the meat. So delicious and the gravy is awesome too! I will be trying other flavors..chicken and salmon…I live close by so very easy to get there.

Reply

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