MyLondon reporter Ayokunle Oluwalana visited The Pie Crust in Stratford and found full Thai meals for under £10, including stir-fried chicken and rice for £8.75, which he described as a steal for London.
A Surprising Bargain in Stratford
Walking into The Pie Crust, Oluwalana was shocked to see full meals priced under £10, a rare find in modern London where a bagel with cream cheese and salmon can cost £12. He ordered stir-fried beef, mushrooms and oyster sauce with rice for £8.75, and Tord mun pia, homemade Thai-style fish cakes with a peanut salad sauce.
The portion was generous, with the rice barely visible under the mountain of food. Oluwalana noted he would expect to pay at least £15 for such a portion elsewhere. The food felt fresh, the sauce was flavoursome, and every bite hit the spot, though the beef could have been more tender.
Old-School Cafe Charm
The interior retains the feel of the old greasy-spoon cafe it once was, but also evokes a family kitchen where everyone has come together to celebrate. Big tables, the chatter of people, and the smell of food from the kitchen reminded Oluwalana of his childhood. The plates made it feel like home, not a restaurant.
Sujin, who runs the restaurant with her husband Suchin, came to London in the 1970s and took over the cafe. She moves around gracefully, striking up conversations with guests. Her son Gazza explained to customers why certain ingredients are on the menu. The conversations felt genuine, not forced hospitality.
A Taste of Modern London
The old-school cafe menu adorns the wall, evoking a bygone era. Gazza told Oluwalana that since Covid, they have become a fully Thai restaurant, though they still sell chips. The mix of customers reflected modern London: office workers, fathers with kids, students, builders, and the elderly with their trollies.
Pie Crust is located at 273 High St, London E15 2TF. It opens from 11am to 3pm, then reopens from 6pm to 11pm, offering affordable, delicious, and welcoming dining in the capital.
