Mama Said Hand Pies | Ithaca, NY One of my favorite local food spots in Upstate New York near Cornell University! Mama Said Hand Pies is a cozy local spot in Ithaca serving handmade savory and sweet pies made with locally sourced ingredients and baked fresh daily. Sausage Gravy, Egg & Cheddar Pie (Recommend ) Filled with chicken sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, and white cheddar wrapped in an incredibly flaky, buttery pastry crust. The crust had a rich buttery flavor without feeling greasy, and the savory filling made every bite so comforting. Mushroom Pie (Recommend ) Packed with sautéed mushrooms and served with a green sauce on the side. Honestly, I didn't even need the sauce because the pie was already flavorful on its own. Pepper Jack Beef Pie Filled with ground beef, pepper jack cheese, and curry-like spices. This one wasn't my personal favorite, but my husband really enjoyed it! read more

Mama Said Hand Pies - Specialty Food Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Tried these at the farmer's market! Very yummy! We tried the blueberry one with lemon icing and the spanakopita. The blueberry one was piping hot. Honestly these were both really good. the crust wasn't soggy and I liked trying both a sweet and a savory hand pie. I have also tried the mushroom oaxaca one which is my favorite! Overall, I would recommend! read more

Mama Said Hand Pies - spanakopita - Specialty Food Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Delicious pies & cookies. Got the cherry. Sooooo good. Nice and personable owner. Go in when you're in Ithaca and try one!! read more

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Tried out the savory cheddar potato and the sweet cherry almond hand pies. Both were delicious and a great snack. They are a great homemade option when you are looking for a quick small meal. read more

Mama Said Hand Pies - Cheddar Potato and Cherry Almond Pies - Specialty Food Near Me - Ithaca, New York

I had visited and enjoyed Mama Said at their walk-up location downtown, so I was excited to see that they were opening in a long-vacant location on Tburg Rd. The parking lot is often full, so I'd looked forward to stopping in. The ordering set-up wasn't so different from their original store. A selection of around 6-8 different savory and sweet hand pies are in a glass case on the counter. There are vegan, gluten-free, etc. options, which is great. There's a fresh locally-sourced salad in a small clamshell that you can add, as well as cold bottled drinks. You order your pies and café beverages and take a seat. The pies are not reheated, they go right from the case to your plate, somewhat disappointing. The dining room is half restaurant half lounge, a bit chaotic but cozy. The pies are good, but not generous. Sweet ones are around $5 and the savory are between $6-7, almost $8 each for some. As a result of the cost, we only got three of them for the two of us. They are on the smaller side..Our shared salad was really good, but I hated the plastic clamshell aspect of it, the plastic waste. The café drinks were good, a chai and a latte. Overall, we left feeling disappointed that we had spent $48 including tip on food that we ate in 10 minutes and that left us still hungry. I had hoped that they would have "hand pie combo-plates" with, say, two-three pies, a side and maybe a salad. That would've been filling. The simple ingredients and the (likely) advanced preparation involved in making hand pies with inexpensive ingredients makes the high cost and the small selection and serving size hard to understand. I guess my plan for next time is to focus on the café drinks and cozy vibes and not to go in hungry. read more

These homemade hand pies are delicious - offering a flaky, delectable crust with an assortment of fillings (sweet or savory) to choose from. The Mushroom Oaxaca Cheese handpie (which includes "crimini mushrooms, roasted with onions, local & organic cilantro, scallions, and garlic. Served with housemade salsa verde, using local and organic tomatillos, cilantro, and hot peppers. Wrapped in our standard butter crust") and Potato & NYS Cheddar ("our best-selling pie includes buttery mashed potatoes with a N.Y.S. 3-year aged Welsh-style Cheddar from Jake's Cheese Company in Deansboro, NY, as well as English mustard and 'sneaky' onions. Served in our standard short crust") are personal favorites... but you really can't go wrong no matter your choice. (Also, they regularly have gluten free and/or dairy free options.) The hand pies generally go for $5.25-$6/piece, depending on flavor. Various items like soup, pierogies, or desserts like babka or whoopie pies can sometimes be found on rotation as well (prices will vary). Be sure to also keep an eye on their social media, like Instagram! They'll announce special pop ups at their location on 1710 Trumansburg Rd (which apparently used to be a place called Redder's Bar and Grill). TL;DR Mmmm... hand pies. Be sure to get some to enjoy some locally made sweet or savory goodness! read more

Mama Said Hand Pies - a meal in a styrofoam container - Specialty Food Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Easy to grab in a hurry, eat outside with your dog while seated at the outdoor tables or as you walk. Delicious and convenient and reasonably priced. Tiny little store front. read more

The vegan tempeh pie was really tasty! The spanakopita was good too. Would love to give it a higher rating but they were pretty small and it was 12$ for two. read more

Mama Said Hand Pies - Tempeh - Specialty Food Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Mama Said serves freshly made pies. I went with the Jamaica Beef Patty and really enjoyed it. The pie crust was flaky and the filling was delicious and full of flavor. When I went, they also had a potato and cheese pie, a mussel one, and a knish.each pie is about $4-$5. There is metered street parking. The parking lot behind Mama is free to park on weekends only. read more

Mama Said Hand Pies - the inside of a car - Specialty Food Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Yes yes YES. The best hand pie I've ever had - the crust is crisp and flaky and flavorful - no soggy bottoms here. The filling is warm, soft and so tasty - a perfect foil to the crust. I got the Japanese beef curry and their famous mashed potato. At first bite I liked the curry better but then the potatoes came vying for the top. Doesn't matter which flavor won, I'm the ultimate winner! A few notes - the online ordering is disorienting. There are so many items out of stock because I think they do small batch bakes daily. When I went they had like 4/5 flavors and nothing sweet which is a little disappointing but it looks like a pretty small operation. And like other reviewers have said, they are small but two was a pretty hearty meal for me. read more

"Mama Said" pies are on! OMG, had these at the Farmers Market, I almost missed them at the very end of the market. Sooo glad I didn't! We had the Japanese Beef Curry, the Poblano and the spanakopita. All were delicious! I've seen the positive reviews for the others and so I'll post one for the spanakopita. This beautiful buttery and flaky crust houses the perfect dollop of light cheese, spinach and aromatic fresh dill. There's a hint of lemon that balances it all out and gives it that je ne sais quoi! Good fast food; Eat 'em up! read more

Mama Said Hand Pies - Spanakopita! - Specialty Food Near Me - Ithaca, New York

I came and ordered from Mama Said Hand Pies on a whim but found the Pumpkin Pasty to be rather disappointing. The pumpkin filling in the interior tasted very artificially pumpkin flavored and had a weird spice that was overpowering the pumpkin flavor. But I did think that the outer pastry portion was yummy! It was slightly dense but was also flaky and buttery. I feel like maybe the pumpkin pasty wasn't the best choice, but maybe their other fillings (savory or sweet) could potentially be better! Also the pastry could have tasted better warm (but the cashier didn't offer this). I really love their small mom-and-pop shop vibe and found the business concept and store interior to be super cute so I really wanted to like the pasty, but it wasn't all that great. If you want to come maybe order a safer/more popular filling! read more

Mama Said Hand Pies - Pumpkin Pasty - Specialty Food Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Delicious hand pies! Crust was really flaky and the filling (we got potato and cheddar) was perfect. Can't wait to try other flavors. read more

Mama Said Hand Pies - Potato and Cheddar hand pies - Specialty Food Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Amazing pie crust + creative fillings = a perfect meal! Both their savory and sweet hand pies are delicious.

Mama Said Hand Pies is a treasure in Ithaca! Delicious vegan, vegetarian and meat hand pies. We selected one of each pie on the menu and were incredibly impressed by the sweet and savory pastries. My favorite was the NYS cheddar and potato pie. The whipped potatoes were creamy and the cheddar was sharp and flavorful. The crust was buttery, flakey and delicious. We called the order in ahead of time and the employee who explained the menu options was extremely helpful and went into detail about the diverse menu items they had on offer. The order was ready when I arrived, all the employees had masks in and the customers were safely social distancing. We are looking forward to returning here in the future! Next time we are in Ithaca we will plan to bring a cooler to purchase some of their frozen pies to enjoy at home. Photo from left to right, a blackberry pie, blueberry gallette, NYS cheddar and potato pie, a puff pastry with roasted veggies, fresh pesto and baby tomatoes, Japanese beef curry pie, kale and chickpea pocket, vegan Irish Knish, and a spanakopita hand pie. read more

Mama Said Hand Pies - a variety of pastries - Specialty Food Near Me - Ithaca, New York

My wife and I passed by Mama Said Hand Pies yesterday evening near closing time and checked out some of the pies. They looked really good and the owner was great to explain what each one was and a little bit about the shop. We decided that on our way back home to LI we would drive by the today and pick up some pies. To make a long story short we were very sorry that we ONLy picked up half a dozen pies and wished me brought more! The African beef and mushroom pies were out of this world! Each pie was cook perfectly and with great flavoring! We also had a blueberry and cherry pie for dessert. Once again totally awesome! To the owner of the shop (sorry didn't get your name ) well done and thank you for a great dining experience! Highly recommend stopping by Mama Said if you are ever in downtown Ithaca! read more

Perfect savory treat while ambling around downtown Ithaca. Tried the poblano queso and Japanese beef curry, both delicious. Weather was warm so easy to snack outside in the courtyard. And afterwards decided to get a few others to bring to a friend. read more

The pies here are amazing little bits for a cheap price - currently $4 apiece. Great spot when the weather's room to split a few snacks with a friend and grab some coffee, beer, or ice cream from the shops next door. Like the other Press Bat Alley stores, there isn't inside seating, but there is outside seating on the shared patio. Lots of different pies to try, and I've loved everything I've had from them. Very tasty! read more

Mama Said Hand Pies - a group of people eating outside - Specialty Food Near Me - Ithaca, New York

So here is the deal. The taste is good. Service was non-existent but expected for a fast food spot. But the portion sizes are TINY. The pictures posted here do not match up with what I got today. And at $4-5, you are essentially getting 2-3 bites. Their hand pie looked like a really small empanada. They also only had 4 options and one dessert which is understandable because business may be slow. But the value is really poor. They are a small business so I'm being generous with a 3-star rating. I was looking to order a couple dozen pies for an event and after stopping by, I need to find some other option. I really cannot justify their product and prices because I would have to spend double. Maybe today was a bad day for them and hope they can fix this because they are a new and hiccups happen. read more

Had the pepper Jack beef empanada today and had hoped for a blueberry too but they were all sold out. The empanada was flavorful and not too greasy. We need to return earlier in the day so we can have more choices. read more

A warm and welcoming place to enjoy imaginative and freshly made breakfast or lunch offerings. Don't miss the fruit dessert " hand pies". Dine in, outside on the lawn, or picnic in the car! read more

Tasty treats but $6 for a single 3 bite empanada is quite over priced. I would order from them often if the price were fair.

The Japanese curry always yummy, but the spanakopita is hands down the best. The blueberry hand pie was also delicious

This place is the bomb. They often have at least six or seven varieties available, including vegetarian/vegan types. I *heart* the poblano and cheese, as well as the potato cheddar. The crusts are golden, crispy and not gloopy.... some of the best pie crust EVER. Check 'em out!! read more

Stopped here hoping they had sweet but only savory...OMG! Had the potatoe n chedder and Japanese beef curry... Delicious , will definitely be stopping again. Bought my bf the vegan Irish knish and tempeh. However they were still baking. Paid for them and told the cashier I'd be back in 10 mins, that I was parked around the corner... 10 mins later, just as I'm abt to get out my car I see the cashier looking for me in the parking lot I was so amazed at that level of service waaay above and beyond to look for me and hand deliver... HIGHLY RECOMMEND read more

Mama Said Hand Pies has some great stuff. The fillings they have are often flavorful and the dough is golden and moist while still flakey. The biggest problem with this establishment is the lack of sweet pies. They often only have one sweet pie--and that is if they have it at all on the day you order--while the rest of their menu consists of savory pies. It is so odd to me that they can't branch out into the world of sweet pies when their business revolves around a single form of pastry. read more

Loved our food from mama said hand pies! We got an assortment (potato, mushroom/leak/ onion, poblano and two more) and all were delicious! Definitely check them out! read more

Mama Said Hand Pies - a display of baked goods - Specialty Food Near Me - Ithaca, New York

I tried the Route 96 location as I always try to get to small businesses to show support. I can say I went and tried. I can't say I'd go back honestly. The service was good; very friendly and accommodating but.....Coffee was cold and the goodies were unremarkable and pricey. The place is cute and spacious; I'll give them that. The remodel turned out nicely. To be fair it's a new locale. They have to work on some kinks. read more

These pies are amazing. Tried their Irish pub and Potato Cheese pies and they were great, it really hits all the comfort food spots. The portions are on look like they're smaller side but its because they're very filling. Must try at least once read more

I'm a picky handpie eater. I absolutely love empanadas and these are of that vein. The pastry crust is perfectly crispy and flaky. We have been ordering frozen pies since the quarantine and they make us feel like we've gone out to dinner. My love for meaty pies and my vegetarian spouse's love for their veggie pies commits us to this local eatery. read more

Gotta give it to Gabe, the owner. I just moved from Ithaca and I'm missing the hand pies already. Mama Said has a great rotating selection of hand pies from the classic potato cheddar to the polarizing smoked mussel (these were my favorite, but I know fishy things aren't for everyone), great cookies for dessert, and although they're more on the pricey side, Gabe makes sure to source local and sustainable ingredients. Definitely the first place I'm going to when I'm back in town. read more

Best best gluten free hand pies!!! We were on a walking food tour and the owner brought me a gluten free hand pie!! What a treat! Totally worth a visit!! read more