SD Chicken Pie Shop
2633 El Cajon Blvd./Oregon, NE of Balboa Park, (Texas St. south exit off Hwy. 8, then left on El Cajon), North Park, (619) 295-0156. Daily 8-8; $. Free parking lot in back. Formerly known as Chicken Pie Shop of San Diego.
Founded before World War II in 1938, this area institution especially appeals to senior citizens--many of whom have patronized it ever since. The original location of SD Chicken Pie Shop was downtown on Fifth Avenue near B Street, with a branch at Fifth and Robinson in Hillcrest. The dinner then cost 35 cents. In 1970, the branch moved across the street and the original downtown location closed. In 1990, it relocated here.
Seating is in comfortable booths, at tables and chairs, and at a row of swivel stools at a low old-time counter. Chicken decorations are found throughout the large one-room restaurant and include a fabulous collection of ‘50s ceramic chickens.
The celebrated menu item here is the $8.10 fresh-from-the-oven chicken-turkey pot pie dinner. The pie is stuffed with shredded chicken and turkey in gravy, has a good crust, and includes on the side mashed potatoes, a frozen vegetable, a tasty coleslaw, a big roll with real butter, and dessert pie (my faves are the sour cherry and chocolate cream). Though the chicken pie looks more like a cheeseburger when it is served, it is actually hidden under all the yellow gravy and quite delicious. More menu items include baked ham, roast sirloin, chicken-fried steak, fried chicken, hamburgers, and steaks. Meal delivery is by trolleys—an unusual sight except in Chinese dim sum restaurants.
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| counter at SD Chicken Pie Shop in San Diego, California |
Seating is in comfortable booths, at tables and chairs, and at a row of swivel stools at a low old-time counter. Chicken decorations are found throughout the large one-room restaurant and include a fabulous collection of ‘50s ceramic chickens.
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| chicken pie dinner at SD Chicken Pie Shop in San Diego, California |
The celebrated menu item here is the $8.10 fresh-from-the-oven chicken-turkey pot pie dinner. The pie is stuffed with shredded chicken and turkey in gravy, has a good crust, and includes on the side mashed potatoes, a frozen vegetable, a tasty coleslaw, a big roll with real butter, and dessert pie (my faves are the sour cherry and chocolate cream). Though the chicken pie looks more like a cheeseburger when it is served, it is actually hidden under all the yellow gravy and quite delicious. More menu items include baked ham, roast sirloin, chicken-fried steak, fried chicken, hamburgers, and steaks. Meal delivery is by trolleys—an unusual sight except in Chinese dim sum restaurants.
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image ©2009 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
updated January 5, 2015
updated January 5, 2015
