The Pure Pasty Co.

I haven’t had a pasty since I was in London, and it’s something that I crave from time to time but haven’t been able to have again back in the States. Was really stoked to find this one day while browsing Unilocal and decided to give it a try for a quick lunch.
A little hard to find since it looks like it’s in an alley and not the plaza next door, but there’s ample parking both on that street and towards the back where it opens up. It’s nice that even at the entrance, you can see into the production area of the pasties! It did look like seating was really limited though.
Prices aren’t bad, around $ 6 – 8 for a pasty with a very good size. I’ve only tried the Moroccan Chicken so far, which could use a little more seasoning, but the exterior and crust was perfect. I noticed that they had other pastries, as well as some sweets, that I hope to try next time that I’m back.
Overall, good spot for pretty cheap to-​go food, and I’ll definitely be back to try some more.

It was a little tricky to find Pure Pasty, as it is in a side ally off Church Street. I’m glad we did! The aroma at the door was mesmerizing (and I’m not just saying that — it was awesome) and the pasty’s devine. Staff was very helpful and friendly. The food gets 5 stars, but only 4 overall because the counter-​only seating is limited and crowded. The lime chutney from India was a hit condiment.

My expectations were high at The Pure Pasty Co. I wasn’t disappointed. The service is incredibly friendly, the atmosphere is great.
The food tasted so good it was like eating at home
Great prices on appraisers.
I’m already excited for next Friday so I can come back and try something new!

This place is quite hard to find, it’s hidden behind other stores and it’s really small. Anyway, their pasties are pretty good, I tried beef and lamb, it was big enough portion for lunch. It’s fresh and warm and very tasty. However it’s also lunch price for each pasty, like almost $ 9. I would say it’s worth a try once maybe twice unless I’m actually craving for it.

Wow. I just went here for the first time for lunch, and I don’t know how I’ve managed without this in life. This is like the British version of an empanada or salteñas, but with a puff pastry exterior. I ordered the chicken masala and it was delicious, just like I’m sure any of their Pasty’s are! I can’t wait to go back to try their other kinds! They are also very filling, one for lunch will keep you very satisfied. The shop also has a limited seating area and little British snacks and drinks for purchase.

Don’t have too much to compare this too since it was my first time having a Pasty. We went with the original pasty and some HP sauce at the recommendation of the friendly guy working the counter. The guy working there was seriously friendly and goes into the 4-​star rating. That and the fact that it is unique in that it’s the only place I know of to get one of these tasty treats.
The pasty was tasty. Filled with beef, onions, and carrots and some yummy seasoning. I would come back and try another at some point, since they did have some interesting other choices like Cordon bleu, and some Steak, stilton, mushroom, stout, etc.
The only thing I have to really compare a Pasty to is a Saltena… and Saltenas are just as good in my opinion and only half the price… so although I really thought the pasty was good, for the price, I probably won’t be coming as often as I do Saltena joints. I eat Saltenas like it’s my job. The Pasty and a drink was like 10 bucks, and not really enough to be considered a meal for me. I’d have to eat two and that’s getting expensive.
I know comparing Pasty to Saltena is probably like comparing apples to oranges… but in my head they are the closest thing i have to compare them too and I feel they are similar.
Anyhow, I recommend you give this place a try. Your taste buds will thank you.

Not much to say, unless the recipe changes this is a must visit for anyone in the mood for what they are serving.
Those sausage rolls are a gem!

Found this place on Unilocal and tried going once but got helplessly lost and it closed before we could go (damn you Sunday!) but today I went with my mom and brother and right off the bat I can tell you, this place needs more chairs. It’s CRAMMED in there. I ended up sitting next to the cold case which was awkward when someone wanted a drink. The food on the other hand is wonderful. My mom got traditional, brother got steak and Stilton (a special of the day), and I got the chicken cordon blue. They were all wonderful, but I will say this, they are on the small side. My grandma is from Minnesota and they do not joke about pasty sizes (like as big as your head). But I left feeling full and satisfied. They have a large amount of British foods if that tickles your fancy, I left with a few candy bars. Fun place to go, needs more seats.

Being a foodie, and having recently moved here, I’m always about finding a new place to try. Today was my first time at The Pure Pasty, and it’s safe to say that I will be going there often!
It is a bit hard to find; the restaurant is off a side alley of Church St. It’s small, but functional – not only are there the pasties, but also a small selection of British groceries (mainly snacks, candy and drinks). There is a small space to enjoy your lunch or dinner there, however, I got mine to-​go. The service was instant — as soon as I paid, lunch was there, bagged, and ready to go (bonus points in my book — fast food that’s actually healthy!)
The size of the pasty is deceiving; there are a TON of goodies inside them. I had the lamb and chickpea pasty, and it was absolutely delicious! There was just enough spice and seasoning to make it interesting without overpowering the flavor of the lamb. And yes, I was stuffed afterwards.
At a pricepoint of under $ 10 for a pasty and crisps (potato chips for us Yanks), this is definitely a great bang for the buck. I can’t wait to go back!

As someone who lived in England for four years, I come here to get a taste of my second home. The sausage rolls are my favourite and the traditional pasty I the best. This place would be five stars if they had more seats and a little café.

I love this place! Only place that serves the Pasty! They are beyond fantastic! The Chicken Provencal is my all-​time favourite! I love how the store is stocked up with British Chocolate and British snacks! It tastes amazing and the food is always fresh. Their soups are also amazing as well.
The pasty is HUGE! When you first look at it, you are like… hrmm, I may be full, but once you’re done, you’re full! It’s quite filling and they don’t skimp out of the stuffing.
I’ve tried the Moroccan Lamb, the Winter Veggie one, and the traditional one as well. All are fantastic! I love how every time I come here, the quality is always the same, and always fantastic!
The service here is so nice and they are always accommodating and they are knowledgable about their menu! They are genuine and the manager is so much! I have met him a few times and I like how he works along side his staff instead of just having a bunch of photos of himself and doesn’t do anything.
This is good because I do sometimes go to restaurants where the workers don’t even know what’s in the food they are selling. It’s also cool because sometimes when I go, I see them actually making a bunch of the pastys! They also cater ! and they do take-​out! Take-​out is amazing too! No complaints and they label everything with the little shape they embed on the pasty. Like, a heart, or a spade.
The space itself is very cramped as there isn’t much seating, but I don’t mind. I usually do ‘to-​go’ but I actually like the smallness and the big floor to ceiling window that is open to the customers.
I haven’t been here in a few months but I have been dying to go back.

I’ve been here twice. First time I tried the veggie pastry, and second time I had the Cordon Bleu. The cordon bleu was definitely better than the veggie. The veggie filling was weird and sour. The pastry shell is really good and has a great buttery texture. But the fillings are a bit bland and somewhat tasteless. I feel like their strong point is the pastry part and the fillings are kind of an after thought. I grew up in England and remember the food was one of the things I miss the most because the flavors of most foods, though simple, were very very memorable. I think that’s missing here, but of course a big part of food is the ingredients and American ingredients and produce are simply… lacking (in nutrients, taste, authenticity, etc.). I do appreciate their selling of British sweets and such (although I stay away from candy in general now), and I was even told that the European candies are made with less stabilizers than their American equivalents. I would believe that.
Maybe carry some hot sauce or salt in your bag to help the flavor out a little…

I’ve gone out of my way a few times to grab their pasties, because who can possibly argue with their warm, melt-​in-​the-​mouth, rich pastry? That slightly salty, buttery taste is perfection. At the $ 8 price point, just one will sit with you for a few hours and still leave you fortified to plough fields or carry bricks afterwards.
Yet, I’m compelled to leave a middling review.
Surprisingly, given the unique niche this English pasty store occupies, the rub lies in the store’s presentation. They could go a long way to offering the in-​house customer a more cosy, welcoming experience. On no occasion has the cashier directed me in a friendly way to the condiments shelf. (I found that by accident; it has HP sauce, Branston pickles etc.) Neither has the cashier chattily described the pasty combo options or other items on their purportedly ‘extensive’ menu (which is posted on a chalkboard.) One has the impression of a cold manner. Most other independently-​owned stores make a concerted effort at informal hospitality which ‘soft sells’ their food. In my experience, their well-​executed pasties weren’t sold as ‘an experience’. Shame that.
Secondly their seating could be improved, given their sous-​terre location. Their large window is at car tire level facing the parking lot, so folks have the rather harsh, unmitigated experience of sitting at street level. No attempt at a cheery decoration (e.g, a row of British flags across the window? A frilly lace curtain? A decorative sun catcher?) to make this more palatable.
Finally, a note on the fillings. I know I’m in the hands of a talented chef so I’m not going to criticize, but here’s my take on the taste. The pasty fillings are pitched at a more understated British palate, certainly flavorful, but not bold in taste. So when they say Indian chicken curry, the flavor is more ‘hint of Indian chicken curry’, and same with the Moroccan lamb, where I’ve found myself reaching for the flavor. That’s not a criticism in the least, it’s a clarification of what to expect. You should render your own verdict.
My South African buddy indulges her occasional biltong craving there, a decent selection to be had.

This place is great, very authentic and high quality. Reminds me of being in the UK.
Your only problem may be finding it– as the place is down an alley. Look out for the British flag.
The pasty soup combo is a good value and filling.

A little tough to find but a yummy little original spot in the heart of Vienna between Maple Ave and Church Street. Just finished the Cordon Bleu pasty with a cup of leek soup. Perfect blend of chicken, ham, cheese (was it Swiss?) and herbs. Pastry crust was light and flaky. Leek soup was delicious!
Small seating area overlooking the working kitchen… this place is a must.

Man, this place is delicious. First time today, but man it is really really really good. Fluffy crust pastry housing, well seasoned meats and vegetables inside, and it just maintains a level of satisfaction as you bite into it. It’s the closest thing to going to London and getting a solid meat pastry from the quik before hopping onto the bus.
If they manage to get a full breakfast inside a pastry, I swear i dont mind coming daily.

I first heard about this place in a review on Hunter’s Head where the reviewer was knocking something he got at Hunter’s Head and said that if you wanted a meat pie you needed to come here. I looked it up on Unilocal and saw all the rave reviews. Today I finally managed to make the driver over from Dale City. The place was a little hard to find actually being in the alley.
When I was in Great Britain I was struck by how bland the food was. Well I ordered the Cordon Bleu and thought I was back in Great Britain. My wife got the traditional Pasty and she said her Pasty wasn’t that impressive either and she had no desire to return. We got Orangeina to drink and that was good.
I wanted to try the traditional Pasty but don’t like carrots. The lady behind the counter said they made the Pastys fresh all day but when I tried to order a traditional Pasty with no carrots she said that the mix for the interior of the Pasty was already made and they could NOT fix me one with no carrots.
I noticed at the front of the store that they did sell other things like Bangers for Bangers and Mash or is it Bangers and Squeak. Anyway it was an experience to to there. The staff was friendly and helpful and, again, the food made me feel like I was back in GB.
The one thing I DID really like in GB was the fish and chips. I wish this place sold some of those then I know I would come back.

Deliciousness! I’ve tried several different pasties at this point and they’ve all been very good. It took a little bit of experimenting to figure out the best way to reheat the frozen, fully-​baked ones at home but now that I’ve got it I’ll be bringing more home. Service is always fast and friendly. Store can get a bit crowded, but it’s totally worth it.

All hail Cornwall! Pasties are baked and stuffed pastries similar to empanadas. Cornwall in the UK is where pasties first originated and the Pure Pasty Co. is the first British bakery of its kind in Northern Virginia. Love that it’s mere minutes from me!
I first encountered the Pure Pasty Co. at the Mosaic central farm market. I bought their chicken masala, which has chicken, potatoes, onions, bell peppers, and Indian spices. Delicious! Even though I bought it frozen and reheated it, it was still really good. The combination is a win, and the outside is still flaky and golden. Recently, I went into the actual store to have a fresh pasty. I ordered the traditional Cornwall pasty, which is grass-​fed beef with potatoes, onions, and carrots. So, so good! Flaky shell and who can resist the combination of beef, potatoes, onions, and carrots? Everything’s cooked to perfection. My boyfriend had the Beef Wellington pasty, and it was similarly delectable.
At the store, you can watch the staff make the pasties in the open kitchen. They will make the pasty shells from organic flour and shortening, take a huge chunk of uncooked filling and place it on the shell, and fold it in half. Then, the very skilled cooks will quickly crimp the edge to close up the pasty for baking.
Pure Pasty also makes meat pies and rolls, as well as cocktail pasties! I’d highly recommend stopping by Pure Pasty Co. for a bite of this savory British dish.

No matter what time of day I drop in, I am always able to find a dinner pasty for each of us. And, by the way, I only eat chicken or veggie pasties so it’s obvious that this company cares for all of their customers– beef/​meat eaters or no. The food is always hot and delicious up until closing and the employees gracious. (Sniff, sniff) You all are awesome!!! Just thanks for being you. Btw: I had the Chicken Masala, my honey had the Moroccan lamb, and we each had a pumpkin pie pasty. Heavenly!!!

Amazing! My husband side is British and he loved it! He said it was very traditional… My 5 year old loved the chicken cordon blu and for me the chicken Marsala was great. The crust is warm and flakey and the service is super great. Only if they had a place to sit and eat. We don’t live close to this little gem but if we’re ever in the area we will go back… And possibly make the drive just for those!

This hole in a whole place is a local gem. When I crave savoury British pies, this is Tue place to go. No mistake. Friendly staff. Homey feel. They sell Brit confectioneries too. Yum!
I got a Moroccan Lamb on my second visit. The dough is crispy flaky good outside. Hefty feelings so you will definitely be full after one pie. I’ve also tried the Thanksgiving pie, chicken Masala, and Traditional. All are good.

Found out about this place through my roommate. I didn’t even know there were more 4.5 rated places in the Vienna area that I hadn’t been to. So it was a pleasant surprise.
It took me a minute to find it because it’s not really visible from Church Street. You have to turn into a side street first. I forget what it’s called (or if it even has a name or if it’s just a parking lot) but it’s the one right next to Great Harvest Bread. Pure Pasty doesn’t look like much from the outside but the inside has a very nice and cozy look and feel. Cozy is good in terms of ambiance but it also means there’s not much room for sitting especially if you come during a busy time. I came in the middle of the afternoon so that was no issue.
I wanted to try more than one pasty so I got the Moroccan Lamb and the Masala. A little pricey but you get your money’s worth. In hindsight, one would have been more than enough. They were so filling. I was surprised that I liked the Masala better because I’m usually a sucker for lamb. But the Moroccan had a tangy and fruity hint to it that I wasn’t the biggest fan of. The Masala had the classic Indian flavors which I always salivate over. Both had top notch ingredients. The pasty crust was also ridiculously flaky. I’ll definitely be back!

Chicken masala is really good, lamb one is halal. Veggie is also good. Mostly savory but they also sell sweet pumpkin pasty.

Very nice and flaky pasties with delicious fillings… It’s just a single pasty won’t fill you up, and ordering two starts to burn a hole in your wallet.
Tried the chicken masala and cordon bleu. Both were really nice and excellent. Pasties were fresh, had a perfectly GBD (golden brown & delicious) crust, and the fillings were A-​plus. The cashier recommended ketchup, Worcester sauce, and BBQ sauce as good compliments to the pasties — try out their sauce bar if you’re dining in!
If you’re going with a friend or a date, I recommend getting three and sharing each of them. That way you’d probably feel full enough.
Check out the ice cream place down the street afterwards!

Just when you think you can’t possibly find, another cool/​unique shop in Vienna… tucked in between a Filipino influenced gourmet bakery and a hipster boutique tandem-​bike shop is Pasty Co. This place is a little slice of the U.K. and its meat pie pastries are glorious! Boasting a handful of filling options they sell these pockets of deliciousness both hot/​freshly made and frozen — uncooked/​assembled and ready to pop in your oven at home. I can’t recommend their traditional flavor enough… but a MUST is the Moroccan lamb… sooo good. The dough itself is golden brown flaky and perfect for delivering a pocket of tasty meaty fillings. They offer many other menu items to include sausage rolls and soup, etc. Everything I have tried has yet to disappoint! The shop is also full corner shop European brand candies and goods that are typically not found here US shops which adds to the unique atmosphere. Prices are very reasonable for such a tasty gourmet treat. Do yourself a kindness and the next time you’re near Vienna, stop in here and pick some up fresh or to take home and make!

Fresh off the plane from the UK, my Dad insisted we pop over to the Pure Pasty Co. after checking out some of their reviews. It certainly felt like I was back in a small UK grocer, with the ability to buy English sweets and savoury items from the shelves. If you’re a pasty fan, this is the place to go — with options to try an original, or in my case delve into something different like the Reuben! I can’t say I’m a huge pasty fan, though they tasted as good as any I’ve had in the UK — the only other disappointment is the prices certainly matched my expectations for London, not DC.

Incredibly delicious and mouth-​watering pasty’s! Pasty’s are a savory pie, filled with either meat or vegetable. The pasty’s at the Pure Pasty Co. are homemade in their open kitchen, so it tastes fresh and amazing.
I got the Cheese & Onion pasty this time (their veggie pasty’s rotate, so the options vary!). I usually get the Chicken Masala, but wanted to try something new. If you love buttery potatoes and the taste of cheese, I definitely recommend the Cheese & Potato! If you like curry, try the Chicken Masala (the curry taste is very prominent)! All their pasty’s are delicious and so extremely flavorful. Their pasty’s always have just the right crunch and flakiness from the crust and chewiness from the dough.
If you’ve never had a pasty before, I highly recommend that you visit this place and try it out!

I wasn’t quite hungry because I had already had lunch and dessert, but I was in the area and figured I’d check this place out too, since it’s gotten so many great reviews. It’s definitely perfect for either a snack or meal, depending on your mood. I opted for a snack. They have both «sweet pies» and «savoury pies» (yes, savoury with a «U») and I ordered a savory meat wrap. Quite delicious, though a bit dry and flaking on the outside.
I visited London years ago and didn’t have a great food experience there, but I love the British theme of Pure Pasty Co and truly believe I’d have had a better food experience in England if I had only tried pasties there!

I was not a big fan of pasties because I thought it was impossible to pack a lot of food into them… but I was wrong… The Philly Steak pasty had tons of meat in it and was absolutely delicious! A lot of people recommended Moroccan Lamb. However, not sure why, after finishing the Philly Steak, the Moroccan Lamb just tasted bland to me compared to Philly Steak.
It seems that Philly Steak is just a seasonal item. If it is true, I would recommend everyone to try it first before it disappears…

These people ruined me! I bought one curried lamb pasty and one raspberry mascarpone dessert pasty, and. am addicted! The dessert was quite good, but the lamb curry was splendid! Flaky fresh crust surrounding a scrumptious, hot, and generous filling that was tender and seasoned to perfection.
Staff was wonderfully friendly, upbeat, interesting, and helpful. I love this place
I am afraid I will go back every time I am in the area, or near the area, or get a craving… which, I think, will be often!

Yum!
These pies are delicious. Service was quick and friendly. We placed our order to go. There is seating available at the back of the bakery. They sell a lot of goods from Britain towards the front of the bakery, in addition to their specialty pies and sausage rolls.
Come early if you want a wider variety of pies to choose from. We came around 3 pm and there were only two kinds to choose from. The crust in the pasties are perfect. Crisp, light, flaky, yet holds everything together. There was a generous filling in the Chicken Masala Pasty. Plenty of chicken, potatoes, bell peppers with Indian spices and a mild curry. I appreciate that they use free range chicken with no antibiotics. The serving size is also very generous. One can easily be shared by two people (if you aren’t too hungry that is). We will definitely be back to try some of their other options.
Note: Don’t forget to check out the bakery next door to Pure Pasty. Yum!

Stumbled upon this little gem as I was waiting for my spa appointment nearby. It was my first time here, and I felt welcome right away. One thing I love about small businesses is the intimacy — they make all their pasties fresh from their kitchen! The guys behind the counter gave a thorough description of each of the pies, and the Traditional Meat Pie and the Chicken Masala stood out to me right away. The pasties were delicious! They were a perfectly golden brown, puffy and flakey, and the filling was flavored to perfection. Add a little hot sauce and I can eat these for days.
In addition, I’m a total Anglophile, and this adorable shop has satisfied all my love for British goods on this side of the pond. They have British candy, drinks, snacks, and other goodies imported directly from the UK!
The shop isn’t very big, but I like the intimacy of it. You can sit there and watch them make the pasties or just stare out the window and enjoy your pasty in peace. For what it is, it’s definitely a solid 5 stars.