T&J Kelly Pie and Mash in Epping Forest

I was on a personal errand, and hadn't been to Debden in over 2 years. After a little shopping, I was feeling peckish and remembered 'Kelly's'. On entry, I was happy to see it was the lady who'd served me two previously and she remembered me. I ordered my usual, 1 pie and mash, stewed eels and a mug of tea . The pie as always meaty with gravy, nice flaky pie crust and the stewed eels were succulent. Excellent balanced liqour and great to have the chilli vinegar option too . A very nourishing and delicious meal, yet not heavily laden in any way. This was my 6th visit there over 5 years, and I will wholly recommend the fare here . No frills, just basic, classic 'Cockney Grub' done well. I'll be back there Saturday coming .

I took my grandchildren there to see what a pie and mash shop was like and although they were not overwhelmed, I did enjoy myself. They were very busy but still served up our fare in good time.

I regard myself as a Pie and Mash expert, having eaten at 20 or more establishments. This one is definitely near the lower half. Pies are too hard, overcooked to the point of being burnt. And well over priced. Won't return!

First experience of east end cuisine in a proper pie and mash establishment - it must have had lots of history behind the shop as the number of this kind of establishment is dwindling down, and it must be kept as a treasure.

Went here today with my daughter her first time in a pie mash shop food is amazing as it always is and placed was rammed so that's always a good sign

Been going to place for over 20 years I’ve been in various pie&mash shops all over London and this one is my favourite, highly recommend

Not the same anymore. Have been coming hear a long time, travel from Cambridgeshire at least once a year. We miss good old pie and mash.Today’s trip was a waste of time and effort.Lovely lady serving cannot fault service.Ordered take away, was still slightly warm when we got home.Warmed pies covered in foil on very low heat for 15 mins.Was so looking forward to our pie and mash.What a disappointment!Pie was so rubbery. Edges hard, meat ok.Gave up after a while, could not fault the liquor. Cooked own mash so cannot comment.Will not make the journey again. So sad

Went here as i love pie and mash The mash was just smashed down on me plate but the worst part was the pies as they was watery its not the worst ive had that award goes to nathans in upton park

Now 60years old,used to have my lunch there during my school years, now living in France, how I miss proper east end grub.

My local pie mash and it's honestly the best in Essex double pie mash liquor and a can of drink £8.80 ladies at the counter are a great joy too

I visit Kelly’s a few times each year. Three generations of my family go - Dad, brother, son and me. Always have double pie, double mash and liquor with a mug of tea. Prompt and friendly service as always. Love the food - best Pie and Mash in the area.

Iv grown up on pie & mash the T&J; Kelly in Bethnal Green rd and since moving to loughton 6 years ago iv always used this one same pie & mash shop just different location you can’t beat them.

Amor tarta y puré - he visitado este lugar varias veces antes y ha vivido en la esperanza de que mejorando pero. . . . Entramos en la cafetería., las puertas estaban cerradas a pesar de que es de 26 grados en el exterior. Era absolutamente sofocante dentro. 3 personas que sirve. Pedimos tarta doble y puré para mí - era miraba arriba y abajo en el disgusto que sirve (anciana que pesan 8 piedra). 2 tarta ordenados, puede y puré de bebida y un té. En un flash que nos cobraron 14 libras. 80, sirven comida y gritó para el té. Nunca llegó hasta termine mi comida. Las tartas tenía una pastelería muy duro y fue difícil encontrar el abundante en ellos. Dos tipos de constructores que me preguntó acerca de la comida después de ordenados donde su comida era. De nuevo la mujer dijo "oh que maleducado debería haber recordado después de 5 minutos si no te dan la comida. Me contestaron que habían estado esperando 30 minutos! Este lugar es una broma - esa mujer es horrible, de desgaste abrasivo por falta de arriba y abajo es grosero, pero charlando, lo suficientemente rápido para tomar el dinero! Venga. Solucionar! ! !

I love this place always my go to when in the area. It's like popping home to mum and dad or grandma and grandad

Been going to Kelly's for over 40 years. Delicious!!! Very traditional setting always good food very popular so the food is always fresh.

Este establecimientos tiene que ser administrado por uno de los más famosos y familias puré Tarta que sale de East End de Londres.

Mi madre, abuelos y gran abuelos viven (d) en y alrededor de Loughton así que han crecido comiendo pastel y puré en Kelly's. El personal es encantador y me recuerda a este día y siempre pregunte por mi familia. Me he mudado fuera de la zona, pero siempre intentar comer en Kelly's cuando visite la zona. Yo recomiendo siempre Kelly's y todavía es la mejor tarta y puré que he tenido.

My daughter finished at the riding yard just before noon and suggested pies and mash for an early lunch. I recalled that this one was in Debden and quite local to where we were and we tried it. Spotlessly clean and the service was great....

Dos y dos hoy. Top chica detrás del salto. No puedo esperar a volver. Es pastel de puré. Es lo que es. Y es muy bueno.

Have been using this pie shop for years and the food is delicious, the eels are lovely, the liquour is proppa and so is the pie mash :)

Can only assume that the bad reviews for this pie and mash shop are from snobs or northerners. I used to live in the east end and always swore blind that good pie mash can only be found in E2 or E3. Not true any more. REAL traditional pies made on the premises, tasty, thick liquor and perfect mash. My kids love it here and so do I. The ladies behind the counter are not fawning sycophants with a fake "have a nice day". Genuine, lovely helpful girls serving real food to honest people. Top marks!

It was exactly as I expected. No nonsense, quick & very tasty. I'll definitely be returning. In fact, my mouth is watering at the prospect!

I use this pie and mash regularly and most times love it! Now, I recently moved to the abbey where there is another fine establishment and it is hyped up to be the best but my opinion is ....... Broadway pie Nd mash all the way, just consistency is the main criticism

This reminds me of the Kelly's that used to be in Bethnal Green Road (the good one). Pies perfect, pastry and mince just right, mash, mashed and liquer right on the nose.Staff were the no nonsense type from years ago that have a heart of gold.If you want authentic Pie and Mash outside of London, then this is the place to go.

Friendliest staff ever !!!! Typical surroundings of a pie and mash shop. Always clean and tidy. Love the bowl of water outside for the dogs too !!!

over priced tasteless food served by the most unhappy staff where everthing is to much trouble...if I was selling this rubbish at this price I would smile every time I conned another idiot out of there money. Don't make plans to go out after unless you're near a toilet

Really enjoyed pie n mash here. Place was nice and clean could,nt see no customer toilets though.. lady that served us was very nice and friendly. Defo be returning here again.

Went today 15th may with my mate as we have been to several pie and mash shops and was very disappointed ,the mince was tasteless and the pastry was very hard ,will not be going back .read some of the advise but thought we would try it our selves .

I had never been to a traditional "pie 'n mash" place although had seen them around but having moved to the area recently, my girlfriend's stepdad decided to "treat" me to a visit to show me what I was missing.In one sentence I will summarise what I encountered: Not for human consumption.The place looked like a prison canteen, and reminded me of the cafe that the losing team on 'The Apprentice' go to after the boardroom. Long benches, condiments in containers, boring cheap tiles. My girlfriend's stepdad ordered for me "two pie and mash, upside down". Apparently thats the way to order. I was served a plate with several spoons of mash spread onto the edge of the plate, two cheap looking pies in the middle and something delightful called "liquor" slopped all over the plate like 'gruel', it was a watery green mess.We sat down and I sampled the delights. The pie is flavourless, with bland cheap pastry. The filling was sparse and tasting of nothing, just chewy cheap mincemeat. The mash was dull, with no seasoning and made from old potatoes. Then, there was the delightful "liquor" which is apparently made from parsley, butter and traditionally "eel water" made from eel leftovers, apparently. No idea if I was treated to such a lovely ingredient on this occasion. It tasted of feet and was genuinely the most disgusting thing I have ever tried.It is no exaggeration to say this was the worst "food" I have tried in my life, and I am pretty adventurous. I genuinely wouldn't feed this slop to my dog, and I genuinely don't think that in 21st Century Britain we should be eating food like this. Anyone who thinks this food is "tasty" is only saying that to fit in with the whole "Essex/East End" wide boy, cockney, image. I heard someone say "I love pie and mash and eel, I could eat ten of them". I laughed at him out of pity. Worst food in the world, horrible place, horrible food. This is one tradition that needs to stay in the history books. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. You'll thank me.

Well I have been getting pie and mash from this shop for years. As I'm working full time now I tend to get it to take away. I feel that the portion size has shrunk some what. It use to be lots of mash, the usual pie and liquor and it would fill the plate. But recently when putting it on my plates at home for the kids the portion size actually looks quite pathetic and I don't even have oversized plates. I will still be going in there, it just means to get the portion size that they use to dish up it will cost me more money. I would still recommend the place.

Having never had pie n mash before we decided to give it a go,what a mistake, empty pie, and the little filling there was devoid of any flavour, potatoes grey and bland, gravy was just brown water, liquor likewise, this being our first tasting, will definitely be our last, well here anyway, by the way, the staff were much the same, all in all a great big ZERO.

I love pie n mash, and this is a great restaurant, I would throughly recommend as would them whole family.

As a person brought up originally in the East End of London - Pie & Mash was something that was regularly eaten and most certainly enjoyed.... Unfortunately this Pie & Mash leaves a lot to be desired... the meat in the pie chewy and is bland and grey looking with no seasoning and watery gravy. Where it should be rich and brown and succulent with a thick rich gravy inside the pie with enough seasoning to taste. The pastry is soggy to say the least. The mash potato is just about acceptable but again - no seasoning. The liqor is again bland and tasteless. True East Enders would not give a thank you for this version. Sorry its a thumbs down.

We lived in Loughton for many years and had pie n mash most Saturday lunchtimes. Now we have moved away from Essex we always make a point of going in for grub when we are down visiting the old gaff. Traditional pie n mash with liquor and a cracking cup of tea. Service can be a tad slow when they are busy but you have to put up with it, at least its service with a smile.

Greeted by 2 lovely ladies behind the counter .Great pies with plenty of meat ,I opted for gravy instead of the liquor for which I got some witty remarks from the 2 comedians who served us .Will return soon

A real old school feel to this place that can't be authenticated. Proper east end grub. Best thing Debden has to offer!!

What more can i say about Kelly's. Been coming here since the late 1970's. You cant beat a good pie and mash and plenty of liquor. Its the only shop where my 21 year old daughter will eat pie and mash. Nothing else compares in her opinion

This pie mash has been here for ever,I used to eat here as a kid and I'm 43 now,it's always been a very good pie mash shop....does what it says on the tin,as 'they' say...recommended

For the first time in my 14 years of coming to TJ Kelly's Pie And Mash Shop I was appalled with what I saw today, as always the food is superb and always has been for the 14 years iv been coming here but today for me was the staff, I was welcomed by the lady and what seemed to me she was more interested in the gossip of the week then serving customers, I eventually got her attention by "fake coughing" after standing for what seemed like eternity, I ordered for me and my wife and sat down and prepared to eat, a young man came over and apologised for the mess on the table as I could see from before he took plates out to the back before we came in so i understood, I gladly let him wipe the tables, he then started wiping the back tables and carrying a dish load of plates and cutlery whilst his colleague sat down reading her magazine, he was a polite young man but I'm not sure how this shop has worked exactly or if there is specific jobs assigned but the young man was happy doing it, singing and smiling but just seems to me that the lady should of helped and not sat down doing nothing in this scenario it made the young man look bad and look like he was falling behind but no it was the lady that looked the bad one, I will definitely be coming in again 1. For the food and 2. To see if anybody from the shop as seen this review and worked upon it, I still leave a 5 review because it is the best pie n mash shop in Essex by far. P.s Might stick to The days just when Carole and the young man is in.

I came in on a Wednesday of this month and was greeted so politely by a lovely young man who was cleaning tables and seemed to be a sort of local celebrity as everyone was talking to him, I was served by a woman who I believe was called "carol" who was also very polite, I had both pie and mash and eels and both dishes were lovely and while eating listening to the young man singing and just smiling made my experience that extra special, I overheard that the young man can make a good "cuppa" so I asked him to make me one and truth be told it was! In alot of places people struggle to get a cup of tea right but the man managed it, the relationship between the woman and young man was like a "mother and son" and iv heard from friends that I believe the word is "banter" (explained by my grandson) is incredible and extremely funny especially the young man when worried about his hair! Which was fine I must add! I must get that young mans name and the days he is working! but I do understand why people would come just to watch them but overall lovely little shop with great food and great members of staff, definitely recommend this place and will definitely be back soon.

Typical pie n mash ... Stern looking face behind counter, fast service.... But cracking pie mash... If out this way make a visit but don't knock yourself out.

Lovely food. I go back week after week. There are o lot worst places who even think they server good pie and mash. Keep them coming !! I am.

I Visited The Shop On The 19th Of This Month & The Food Was Lovely & The Staff Were Very Polite Especially The Two Servers, I Ordered 2 Pie, 2 Mash With Liquor & The Pie Was Cooked Beautifully & Packed With Meat! I Definitely Recommend To Come Here & I Will Most Certainly Come Here Again!

Having been born within sound of the Bow Bells, it goes without saying that I was brought up on traditional pie ‘n’ mash. Or 2 & 2, if you are from the East End of London. If you are from London, you WILL have a preference of what pie ‘n’ mash you prefer. There are several different ‘brands’, and my favorite is Kelly’s. I’ve always had traditional pie ‘n’ mash from “S & R Kelly” on the Bethnal Green road. It’s amazing, and using there (over) one hundred year old recipe, it really is the same as it has been for many many years…Perfect. I have moved away from the East End now and live in Loughton. Fortunately, it has a pie ‘n’ mash shop. & wait for it…..it’s a Kelly’s!Last Saturday my fiancée had some family down to stay from Northampton. To my amazement, they have NEVER eaten traditional pie ‘n’ mash. In the early afternoon, we took a walk to Debden Broadway, where, at the end of the High Road, sits the famous T & J Kelly’s.Before we went there, I tried to bring up a photo of the shop to show our family. That was when I came across the two shocking reviews of this pie ‘n’ mash shop. I thought to myself, “could it really be as bad as these people have said”. I have to admit; when my partner’s cousin – aged 15 – saw the review it was not surprising that she questioned where I was taking her. When we arrived, what greeted us was exactly what I wanted. A traditional pie ‘n’ mash shop. Mismatching plates, mismatching cutlery, and mismatching tables & chairs. If you have ever been to a similar establishment, you will know that this is what you should get.There was a queue at the counter. A sure sign of the quality that was to come. When it was my turn, I ordered 10 portions of “2 & 2” (2 pies and 2 mash) and 6 portions of “1 & 1” (1 pie and 1 mash). Most of us had the liquor, which is a parsley sauce, but some chose for the gravy. The results were overwhelming. Everyone loved their pie ‘n’ mash, but nobody more than me. It was only when I saw my partner’s cousin posting a photo of her empty plate on Facebook, that I decided to write this review.On my walk home, 2 things came to my mind. Could two people have both had such a different experience to mine & my families? The truth is that I don’t know, and I cannot speak for them. I will however tell you my opinion, which is that a rival firm has left the other 2 reviews, or they have reviewed the wrong place. Lastly, the cost of the pies was £2 each, the mash was £1 per portion, and the liquor was free. That made 6 of the portions that we had only £3 each. I think you will agree, that this is in stark contrast to the “expensive” and “overpriced” pies that claim to have been purchased in the other reviews.Thank you Kelly’s! You will see me, and my family from Northampton very soon.

Having been looking forward to pie and mash all day. I went to T&J Kelly for lunch, where do I start having waited 5 minutes to be served. I was served by carol maybe the rudest lady I have met. It would appear that talking to her friends is more important than serving customers. The food is the worst pie and mash I have ever eaten, bland and warm. It is quite busy with the locals who knows why. The food is over priced and lucky to find some meat in the pies. I will never go there again and suggest you find another pie and mash shop.

Food taste like its from a packet in Ireland's it's really bad and very over priced the staff are rude and just aren't very happy very moody would never recommend to anyone