Seemingly as omnipresent as Burger King and Starbucks, it's like you can't throw a rock and not hit a West Cornwall Pasty outlet. A pasty (pronounced with a soft "a" like hat) is a pastry (high in fat and calories) wrapped around some scrumptious filling and then baked until golden. Typically savory rather than sweet fillings.
It's extremely easy to eat (if crumbly) and when you want something hot, it fits the bill. As opposed to a burger, which tends to leak lettuce, mayo and ketchup everywhere. The closest experience I have to it would be a properly wrapped burrito.
I've tried the turkey and cranberry and the sausage and cheese from this eatery (sitting at a table one time) and both were yummy. A typical pasty weighs about a half pound, so it's a lot of food and shouldn't really be considered a snack. I went to their website for nutrition information and found it very hard to navigate, so I have no idea there.
VERY inexpensive - most of the pasty's are less than or close to £2 each.
This particular location is right in the Reading Station, so if you're rushing to catch a train or if you're just getting off one, it's easy to pop in, make your purchase, and "take-away". They also have coffee and a cooler of waters and sodas.
Tip: try the honey roasted parsnips! read more