Store-bought chicken pot pie?

[JDeereman]

Please don't ask me why i need to know this, but i need to know this. what is considered the very best store-bought chicken pot pie available, preferably one with a full crust? large or family or small size doesn't matter. someone must know. doesn't matter if it is fresh or refrigerated or frozen, restaurant or supermarket or wholesale store as long as it is a brand likely to be available in or around portland, maine. come on folks. someone out there in tractorland must know. everyone out there can't be married to a gourmet home-cookin' chef!

Theo

 

[Bird]

Now you know we've got to ask why you need to know. And when you say "what is considered the very best", uuhhh, considered best by whom? Isn't that kind of like asking who makes the best tractor?

 

[Tig]

I google "chicken pot pie" Portland, maine and found out that. "Two Fat Cats Bakery on India Street is fantastic." "I ventured to try the chicken pot pie (a joint venture with Fore Street, who makes the filling) and I was blown away. Chicken pot pie is no easy task and I was floored by the amount of chicken and, of course, the homemade pie crust.
My source.
Would you like me to recommend a wine to go with that?

 

[JDeereman]

Now you know we've got to ask why you need to know. And when you say "what is considered the very best", uuhhh, considered best by whom? Isn't that kind of like asking who makes the best tractor?

Now i wouldn't ever want to go restarting THAT argument! besides, everyone knows it is green anyway!

the story itself is a sad one and i am embarrassed to get into all the gory details. suffice to say that my contribution to a local social event was not exactly deemed worthy and its going to be up to me to redeem myself at a future such event or face open ridicule again. since i cannot possibly try every restaurant and store brand out there, i must turn to the largest sympathetic community i know of that MUST know a decent store-bought chicken pot pie when they taste one!

Theo

 

[JDeereman]

I google "chicken pot pie" Portland, maine and found out that. "Two Fat Cats Bakery on India Street is fantastic." "I ventured to try the chicken pot pie (a joint venture with Fore Street, who makes the filling) and I was blown away. Chicken pot pie is no easy task and I was floored by the amount of chicken and, of course, the homemade pie crust.
My source.
Would you like me to recommend a wine to go with that?

Thanks steve. wine i don't need but good recommendations on the chicken pot pie dilemma are more than welcome. interesting place you found there. i will check it out further. thanks.

Theo

 

[dmccarty]

Marie Callenders rang a bell but I have not eaten in the place in a decade or so.

Marie Callender's - Our Food - Menu - Americana Classics

Not sure if they are in you area. I THINK I have seen there stuff in the frozen foods in some stores.

Do you have a home style restaurant near you? Maybe they can make what you want.

Later,
Dan

 

[JDeereman]

Marie Callenders rang a bell but I have not eaten in the place in a decade or so.

Marie Callender's - Our Food - Menu - Americana Classics

Not sure if they are in you area. I THINK I have seen there stuff in the frozen foods in some stores.

Do you have a home style restaurant near you? Maybe they can make what you want.

Later,
Dan

None around here (maybe frozen in the market - i'll check) but your idea of having a restaurant or caterer cook it the way I personally like it (with lots of real chicken and a bottom crust) is not a bad idea at all. It would cost i'm sure but there is no question i would redeem myself quite nicely if i take this approach. its kind of like cheating, but what the hang so long as i can afford it.

Theo

 

[bigshovel]

I would have posted this question in the Obeseity thread , but we have a grocery store here called Giant Eagle. They make their own in their deli and it is fantastic. The wife and I get one once a month or so.

Brad

 

[Phils]

Theo,

Marie Callenders makes a few different flavors of frozen pot pies that we buy in any/all of our local supermarkets. All of the flavors are satisfactory IMO but we prefer the creamy chicken flavors. We haven't found any other brands (frozen in the supermarket) that we thought were better. I prefer to ignore the fat/salt/calorie content on all frozen convenience foods. We usually keep a couple of these in the freezer for those times that the convenience is worth the artery clogs. They TASTE great tho.

We've eaten in Marie's restaurants and if cooked right these frozen ones are almost as good. The "key" is cooking right. By directions, usually the bottom crust is underdone. I put them on a preheated pizza stone and cook a little longer on a slightly lower setting (seat of the pants thing so I can't give specifics). The directions mention putting an aluminum foil strip on the crust edge to keep it from getting too dark... you might want to do that. We usually don't but pull them out before the edges are too done. If you are cooking many you may want to experiment some beforehand.

We like to catch them on sale for under $3 each.

on edit: I'm talking about the 16.5oz pies, thanks Dan for the link. Never tried the smaller ones.

Phil

 

[JDeereman]

I would have posted this question in the Obeseity thread , but we have a grocery store here called Giant Eagle. They make their own in their deli and it is fantastic. The wife and I get one once a month or so.

Brad

I debated whether or not this odd question of mine should be posted at all but the embarrassment I suffered and my need to redeem myself won out.

Theo