"If you come to Heaps Pies in Decatur, be prepared for pastry flakes to take up residence on your shirt. But these meat pies are so good, you’ll welcome the crumbs as keepsakes of a beloved friend gone too soon. Our favorite is the green thai chicken curry that’s just spicy enough to make your eyes water. But every pie is bursting with gooey flavor-rich fillings and has more flaky layers than the plot of Inception. Dive into your casual meal at one of the picnic tables that fill the red dining room lined with New Zealand paraphernalia. There’s typically a rugby game on the giant TV, but we’re usually plugged into quality time with our savory meat pies. Food Rundown Green Thai Chicken Curry Meat Pie Every baker in town should be jealously studying the crust on these pies. The flaky layers number into double digits (but we can't stop eating long enough to get a real count). This one is our favorite because the curry inside brings the fire, the shredded chicken is plentiful, and the minty flavor helps mellow things out just enough. Chicken Pot Pie To say this pie is comforting is an understatement. A poppy seed crust brings a little bit of nuttiness to the typical mash up of warm chicken, carrots, peas, and creamy white gravy. They aren’t messing with the foundation of this classic dish, but they are executing it perfectly. Bacon And Egg The name gives away most of what to expect here. But there are also soft potato cubes, melty cheese, and a sweet tomato chutney that put this thing gigameters ahead of any stuffed breakfast pocket you'd find in your grocery's freezer section. And it’s the perfect choice when you want breakfast at 3pm. Brisket Jalapeño Pulled brisket that’s been simmering with jalapeños means there’s a nice kick to this (although it’s not as spicy as the chicken curry). Each bite tastes like a backyard BBQ from our childhood, and we’re into it. Curry Fries Hand-cut strips of potatoes flex a crispy exterior. They are great. But the real reason to get this is the cup of curry that we’d eat with a spoon. Think: a little sweet, a little spicy, and a little embarrassing if you start licking the cup. photo credit: Sarah Newman Fried Fish Sandwich The chip shop menu is only available on weekends, and it includes this fried fish sandwich. Light, airy, and crispy, the cod is battered in a motueka hops beer that Round Trip Brewing makes specifically for Heaps (it’s also available on draft). The cabbage, apple, and chive slaw brings a crunchy sweetness, and the remoulade kisses it all with a nice tang. photo credit: Sarah Newman Mash & Gravy This is a side offered on the weekend, and we order it because the mashed potatoes are well whipped and the gravy is made with marmite so it’s got a thick consistency and a meaty flavor that feels heartier than other gravies. photo credit: Sarah Newman photo credit: Sarah Newman photo credit: Sarah Newman photo credit: Sarah Newman Pause Unmute" - Juli Horsford