Butter chicken usually comes with rice or naan. In Virginia, someone tucked it inside a flaky pie crust instead.
That pie comes from a small bakeshop that serves New Zealand-style pies. The menu rotates, and the fillings run both savory and sweet.
I love a place that keeps things simple and lets the pastry do the talking. I can’t imagine passing up a handheld pie with curry sauce inside.
So where does a person go for this kind of lunch? And what else is waiting behind that little counter?
Butter Chicken Pie Is The Star Of The Show
Proper Pie Co. in Richmond, Virginia, serves a butter chicken pie, and the idea alone is worth a trip. Curry sauce meets pastry in a way that feels both familiar and brand new.
Butter chicken is a creamy, spiced dish that most people know from Indian restaurants. Here, it goes inside a hand-sized crust instead of sitting over rice.
The shop describes its pies as New Zealand-style. That style means a sturdy crust built to hold a hot, saucy filling.
Pastry is the point of any pie. A good crust should be flaky, buttery, and strong enough to hold everything together.
The menu rotates, so the exact lineup can change from week to week. That makes the butter chicken pie something to check on before you go.
Since the pies are made in small batches, popular flavors can run out. Arriving earlier in the day gives you a better shot at the one you want.
It also helps to think of the pie as a full meal in your hand. One pie with a sweet pie for later makes a pretty great plan.
A Bakeshop With New Zealand Roots On Its Menu
New Zealand-style pies are the heart of this little bakeshop. They are small, round, and made to be eaten right from the wrapper.
Meat pies are a classic back in New Zealand, often enjoyed as a quick lunch. Proper Pie Co. brings that idea to Richmond with its own spin.
The shop is known for both sweet and savory options. That means one stop can cover lunch and dessert without much effort.
Fillings change with the season and the day. Steak and cheese, sausage rolls, and pork with apple and cheddar have all shown up on the menu.
The place is small and cozy, more of a bakeshop than a big restaurant. That keeps the focus on what comes out of the oven.
If you like trying new things, a rotating menu is a good sign. Each visit can bring something different to the counter.
Think of it as a tiny pie adventure that fits in your hands.
Steak And Cheese Is A Savory Classic
Steak and cheese is one of the best-known pies in the New Zealand tradition. At Proper Pie Co., it appears among the savory choices that people often talk about.
The idea is simple. Tender beef, gravy, and melted cheese are packed inside a pastry shell.
It is also an easy pick if curry is not your thing. Think comfort food in a compact, handheld shape.
The shop also offers other meaty options, like a sausage roll. Sausage rolls are a favorite snack in many bakeries around the world.
Pork with apple and cheddar is another flavor that has been on the menu. Sweet apple and sharp cheese make a fun pair with pork.
Because the lineup rotates, these may not be available every day. A quick look at the current menu before you go can save you some guessing.
Pick one savory pie, then add a second for sharing. That way you can compare two fillings side by side.
Plant-Based Eaters Get Pie Too
Not every pie here is meat. The shop includes vegan options, and vegetarian fillings like curried lentils and spinach have shown up on the menu.
That gives plant-based eaters a real choice. They don’t have to settle for a side dish.
Curried lentils bring a warm, hearty flavor. Spinach adds a green, savory note to the filling.
The menu changes, so the exact vegan choices will vary. Checking the shop’s current offerings is the best move.
Groups with mixed diets can find this handy. One person can order steak and cheese while another picks a veggie pie.
It also means everyone can share the same lunch spot. That is a small thing that makes planning easier.
Pastry is still the star in every pie. A good crust makes any filling feel like a treat.
Save Room For The Sweet Pies
The sweet side of the menu is just as exciting as the savory one. Strawberry rhubarb, banoffee, and key lime are all names that have appeared on the list.
Banoffee is a treat that mixes banana with toffee. It is a fun pick if you want something different from the usual apple pie.
Strawberry rhubarb brings a sweet and tangy punch. Fruit pies like this are a classic for a reason.
Other flavors have included turtle, peach melba, and mango coconut custard. The rotating menu means new ideas show up often.
Larger sweet pies are also available for sharing. They can be a nice thing to bring to a family gathering.
Ordering ahead can help with big orders. Planning early makes pickup quick and easy.
A slice for dessert, or a whole pie for later, is a happy problem to have.
Order At The Window And Keep Moving
Ordering here works a little differently than at a typical restaurant. There is a walk-up window, and the shop has no indoor seating.
You step up, place your order, pay, and get your pie. The process is meant to be quick and simple.
Online ordering is also an option. Picking up ahead-of-time orders can help you skip decisions at the window.
The shop is open Wednesday through Sunday, from noon to 6 pm. It is closed Monday and Tuesday, so plan your visit around that.
Hours can change, so a quick check is always smart. Popular pies may sell out before closing time.
Bring your patience and your appetite for a short wait if there is a line. The window keeps things moving along.
A little planning goes a long way with a small shop like this one.
Find The Shop At 2505 E Broad Street
Proper Pie Co. sits at 2505 E Broad St #100 in Richmond, Virginia 23223. That puts it in the Church Hill area of the city.
The neighborhood is known for its historic feel and its views. It makes a nice backdrop for a casual food stop.
Look for the small storefront with the order window. It is easy to miss if you are rushing by.
Parking and walking details can vary by day. Give yourself a few extra minutes to find your spot.
Since there is no indoor dining, plan to take your food with you. A short stroll can turn lunch into a mini outing.
Richmond has plenty to see nearby. The pie stop fits easily into a day of exploring.
Having the exact address in your phone makes the trip simple.
Eat Your Pie With A View At Libby Hill Park
With no seating inside, the best plan is to take your pie outside. Libby Hill Park is just around the corner from the shop.
The park sits on a bluff in Church Hill. It offers a view over the city and the James River.
A bench, a warm pie, and a sunset make a pretty easy afternoon. Late-day visits might be especially nice, since the shop closes at 6 pm.
There are also a couple of spots outside the shop itself. Space is limited, so the park is a roomy backup.
Bring napkins and maybe a small bag for trash. Keeping the park tidy helps everyone enjoy it.
Eating outdoors makes a simple lunch feel like a mini vacation. Fresh air and flaky pastry go together well.
Wherever you land in Virginia, a view like this makes the pie taste even better.
A Little Pie Shop With A Big Richmond Following
Proper Pie Co. has built a strong reputation in Richmond, Virginia. It is a small shop, but it draws visitors and locals who want something different for lunch.
Its rotating menu gives people a reason to come back. Each trip might bring a new flavor to try.
The shop also takes online orders for pickup. That helps when you are feeding a group or planning a family event.
Pies work well for sharing. Order a mix of savory and sweet and let everyone sample.
The best advice is to keep an open mind. Butter chicken in a pie sounds unusual until you taste how well it fits.
Check the current menu, plan around the hours, and bring a friend. A few pies on a park bench might become a new tradition.
Small shops like this remind us that great food does not need a big dining room.
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