July 1, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Crikey! Aussie Pie Kitchen Now Open On Main Street In Santa Monica:

Ever realized that the quintessential American pie comes in an abundance of sweet flavors but is lacking in the savory category? Luckily, the Australians are among those who seem to have had pies properly figured out for centuries. With the Aussie Pie Kitchen’s soft opening this past week on Main St., locals are bound to become acquainted with the Aussie pie.

Owners Nick Bishop and Geri Chua are more than eager to start introducing more of the Westside to the fundamentals of this Australian fare.

When it comes to the realm of savory, meaty pies, most Americans tend to only be familiar with the chicken pot pie.

“The difference is that you can hold [Aussie pies] in your hand like an empanada or a hot dog,” Bishop explained. “It’s more of a robust piece of food.”

The Aussie pie is “considered everyday food,” and though it is “not particularly glamorous,” it is an iconic dish that naturally carries with it familiar customs, like squirting ketchup inside, incorporating other side dishes, and eating the pie “straight out of the bag” that it is generally served in. Bishop and his staff strive to take the taste of the typical pie to the next level.

“What we like to do is really improve the flavors,” Bishop said. “My objective is for every Aussie to come in and say: ‘This is the best pie I’ve ever eaten in my life.’ And for the other 90 percent who don’t know what an Aussie pie is, I’m just interested in giving them really great food.”

Aussie Pie Kitchen offers five pie options made with traditional pastry and topped with a flaky croissant finish, alongside three quiche-esque “brekkie” pies sans the pastry tops.

The five main choices come in both a standard five-inch size as well as three-inch slider portions. The flavors and prices are as follows: lamb and rosemary pie ($11.95 for the five-inch pie / $6.50 for the slider), steak and shiraz pie ($8.95/$4.95), chicken and tarragon pie ($8.95/$4.95), summer veggie pie ($7.95/$4.25), and the classic beef Aussie pie ($7.95/$4.25).

The brekkie pies come in five-inch sizes and in three options: applewood smoked bacon with aged cheddar, sausage with aged cheddar, and feta kale, each priced at $4.95.

To accompany all of these the pies, Aussie Pie Kitchen provides customers with a variety of side dishes, both hot and cold. Though the typical condiment combined with the Aussie pie is ketchup, other hot side dishes like garlic hand-mashed Yukon gold spuds ($4), minty mushy peas ($4), and cream gravy ($1) all compliment the pies in their own respective manner.

“Eating the pie plain and eating it with ketchup can be compared to drinking wine with a piece of cheese,” Bishop said. “Wine is great alone, but everything changes when the cheese is added. Ketchup changes it one way, and the side dishes dramatically change up the taste in other ways.”

Bishop has also kept in mind the health- and fitness-centric nature of Santa Monica residents.

“On the Westside, there are a lot of people who are calorie-conscious, and for some, these pastry pies are not going to satisfy,” Bishop said. “This is where our cold sides come in.”

The refreshing cold side dishes offered at Aussie Pie Kitchen include a succotash of sweet corn and edamame ($4), quinoa of summer veggies ($4), and an heirloom tomato medley ($5).

Aussie Pie Kitchen is also seeking staff to solidify its catering business. With the usual catering businesses offering only familiar, often mundane food options, Aussie Pie Kitchen holds the potential to jazz up company luncheons, dinner parties, and other events with its “different, yet super tasty” cuisine.

Bishop said that he and his staff were already brainstorming out-of-the-box ideas for future recipes, as the nature of the Aussie pie is so versatile.

“As long as the ingredients are not too sloppy or not too dry, we can put it in a pie,” Bishop said. He cited a mac n’ cheese pie and a “surfer’s pie with chicken and coconut, which [one] can eat cold,” as two concepts in the making.

The menu also boasts sausage rolls, other pastry treats, and hot/cold drinks. The eatery imports coffee beans from Vittoria Organic Coffee in Australia, a 60-year-old national favorite that stands as a formidable match against the run-of-the-mill coffee found in most cafes.

All of the menu items are made in-store under the guidance of the pie kitchen’s culinary advisor, chef Joe Youkhan, who happens to be the Food Network’s current “Chopped” champion.

It’s clear that the Aussie Pie Kitchen upholds a high standard of quality, from the pie ingredients to the coffee-making process to the trained staff members.

“What we really hope is to build a great little business, have our coffee as our mainstay, grow our catering business, and sell a lot of pies as breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” Bishop said. “We just want to offer great food to our customers.”

Aussie Pie Kitchen is located at 2510 Main St. Its official grand opening will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

For more information, call 310.399.0743 or visit aussiepiekitchen.com.

in News
<>Related Posts

Three-Bed Palisades Highlands Townhouse Hits Market for $1.7M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The Mediterranean-style property, located at 1529 Michael Lane, is part of a 71-unit community A remodeled 1,919-square-foot townhouse in the...

Six-Bed Mar Vista Hilltop Home Under Construction Lists for $5.3M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The private backyard is complete with a pool, spa, fire pit, built-in BBQ, and areas for outdoor dining A stunning...

(Video) Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction of Palisades Wildfires

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

With the reopening also comes a new exhibit, “The Kingdom of Pylos” Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction...

Free Virtual Planetarium Shows Coming to SMC in July

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

The virtual format is in place as construction of the new SMC Planetarium and Observatory nears completion The Santa Monica...

Santa Monica Adopts $793.3M Budget for FY25-27, Prioritizing Housing and Safety

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

The budget preserves core services and invests in major projects, including over $1 billion in hotel investments The Santa Monica...

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

California Doubles Down on Hollywood: $750M in Tax Credits Approved for Film and TV Industry

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

State Lawmakers Back Major Expansion of Production Incentives, Raising Job Projections Los Angeles’ film and television industry is poised to...

Park: “Our Water Infrastructure Must Be Emergency-Ready Every Day”

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Councilwoman expressed cautious relief at the news but emphasized the need for robust infrastructure The Los Angeles Department of Water...

Washington Square Pizza Opens to the Public

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

New York Style Pizza “By-The-Slice” Now at the Beach By Nick Antonicello  Washington Square Pizza formally opened its doors today...

California Allocates $5B for Road Repairs, Transit Expansion

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

The funding aims to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and promote cleaner transportation California is investing nearly $5 billion...

THIS SUNDAY: Palisades Symphony Presents “Best of Broadway”

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

The performance will feature a full orchestra playing iconic selections, from John Philip Sousa’s *El Capitan* and George Gershwin’s *The...

LAPD Updates Immigration FAQ to Clarify Enforcement Role

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

The document, available in English and Spanish, outlines the department’s policies and limits regarding immigration status The Los Angeles Police...

Three Santa Monica College Student Films Selected for International Film Festival

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

The LA Shorts International Film Festival, the city’s longest-running shorts festival, screens over 350 films annually and draws 10,000 attendees...

EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles Returns with Star Chefs, Firefighter Tribute, and Wildfire Relief Efforts

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Culinary Festival Features Exclusive Restaurant Collabs, Support for Small Businesses  EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles, the celebrated food festival curated by The...

Suspect Charged by Los Angeles DA with Shooting of Santa Monica Cop and Teens

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Faces Attempted Murder Charges and Over 100 Years to Life in Prison if Convicted. Criminal charges have been filed against...