I knew Cornish Pasty Co. existed because I followed them on Instagram, but it wasn’t until I searched for pasties ahead of a trip to Las Vegas that I knew there was a location in the area. Most people visiting Vegas probably wouldn’t find this pasty shop unless they searched for it. It’s about 10 miles north of the Strip and a few minutes south of downtown. Luckily, I search for pasties wherever I am.
As for the Cornish Pasty Co. chain, it started in Tempe, Ariz. in 2005 and has expanded to numerous locations around the state, as well as ones in Boston and Las Vegas. It was founded by a Cornwall native so that’s kind of all you need to know. These are legit pasties.
The Vegas shop is in the up-and-coming Arts District which likely looks a lot nicer in 2019 than it did five or 10 years ago. The shop is unlike anything I’ve seen, at least in Michigan. They have a bar in which you can sit and watch them make pasties through plexiglass or you can play pool and hang out with friends. It felt like an oddly, hip pasty joint that also serves soups, salads, chips and a slew of other British-related things.
But people come for the pasties. The menu is extensive and includes over 30 different varieties. They have their ‘Signature’ pasties, which are normal, run of the mill, and their ‘Premium’ choices include salmon, turkey and any variety of chicken or beef. While they don’t have gluten-free pasties, their vegan/vegetarian menu runs about 15 pasties deep. It’s quite the menu.
I was slightly disappointed before diving into mine as they cut all of their pasties in half. Of course, I still ate it with my hands inside the restaurant. Outside of the cut, The Oggie (traditional) looked like a perfect pasty. The crimping was on top and it was solid enough to hold and not fall apart. However, the crust lacked the extra flake I prefer and likely wasn’t made with lard. I believe they use the same crusts for regular and vegan meaning they are possibly made with vegetable shortening. Then again, the crusts could be different and I’m completely wrong. Either way, the crust was good, though lacked a bit of taste.
The insides were kind of the same way even though the steak was perfectly cooked. In fact, I could’ve taken the steak out and eaten it by itself and I don’t often say that about meat inside a pasty. The ratio passed the test, but the lack of salt was noticeable and it was likely because they also serve pasties with red wine gravy or ketchup. I didn’t ask for either so it came with the gravy. The gravy gave an interesting touch, but I’m not putting that into the review.
Unfortunately, I don’t live near any of the Cornish Pasty Co. locations, but if I’m near one again, I’ll definitely try one of the weirder options. These are solid pasties that taste and look like pasties, but unlike others, they are made to be eaten with an additive like gravy or ketchup.
Taste: 3 (out of 5)
Crust: 3.5 (out of 5)
Pasty Presentation: 3.5 (out of 5)
The Shop: 3 (out of 3)
Would I come back for Pasties?: 2 (out of 2)
Total Pasty Rating: 15 (of 20 points)
(Reviewed Fall 2019, Summer 2021)
Tikki Masala Pasty
After many years in Britain, I really, truly missed the pies and pasties when I came back to the states, so I was very interested when the Cornish Pasty Co shop opened here in Las Vegas. I’ve eaten there 6 or 8 times since they opened and sadly, I’ve been disappointed every time. Other than the first time, shortly after they opened, I’ve always gone with visitors who specifically wanted to try the place while in Vegas. They have mainly enjoyed the pasties and recommend the shop, I am not so sanguine. I found the pastry heavy and flavorless. Their traditional filling, the Oggie, is full of meat, true, but somehow they left out the beefy taste (maybe I miss the flavor of gravy made with Bisto?)
Some of the premium pies, esp. the salmon are very good and I liked them well enough, but then they aren’t really Cornish pasties, are they. The salads are very good indeed, particularly if you are familiar with what was often considered salad in 1970-80s Britain.
I am spoiled by having developed a specific taste for the real thing. Maybe it’s the water…
Fair. There aren’t many places in the states that have “true” cornish pasties.
We are from the U.P. of Michigan and was happy to find this place. It’s not like our favorite one in the U.P. (Randall’s) but I don’t eat my pasty with my hands. I still like Randall’s crust better than this place but this place has really shiny and fancy looking crusts. I love the variety here and the salmon is excellent. This place also has a place in Boulder City Nevada and we have enjoyed that place also.
So many options! I believe they have a few locations all over and it was started in Arizona.