Have you heard of Cornish Pasty Co.? Cornwall native Dean Thomas opened his first spot in Tempe in 2005, and recently opened a location just one block from the hotel. A pasty (pronounced “pass-tee”), is a traditional food from Cornwall, England that dates to the 13th century. Tin miners would bring them to work to eat on their break. One end was savory, containing meat and vegetables, while the other end was sweet. Today, pasties are savory throughout.
Cornish Pasty offers a variety of pasties. The Oggie is the classic, with steak, potatoes, onion, and rutabaga, with a side of red wine gravy or ketchup (every pasty has different sauces on the side). You can also try non-traditional pasties like the Carne Adovada, Lamb Vindaloo, and Veggie Greek. They offer many beers on tap, along with wine and a few cocktails.
The restaurant is beautifully designed, with tables and a long counter inside, plus indoor-outdoor bar seating, and a spacious patio that gets a lot of shade in the late afternoon. They’re open ’til midnight Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 p.m. on Sundays, should you get a late-night craving. Aside from the original Tempe location, there’s also one in Mesa. Be sure to stop by and try one of their famous pasties!