Traditional East London / Cockney fare, I feel a bit guilty about not liking some of it. A pie & mash is lovely of course, though like Elfs I am no fan of mushy peas. Still, I expect there are some Scousers who don't like Scouse, and some Scotsmen who don't like Haggis.
Only been to a pie and mash shop on the odd occasion, had been given mash in a scoop like ice cream. Is that usual?
I think so. They scrape the scoop out against the edge of the plate too I believe. All very traditional.
As for pies, I was always a steak and kidney man, but recent years I have preferred a steak pie. Pukka pies are better as they tend to have more gravy, although Peter's pies are always very nice.
Pukka pies are nice, but we've drifted off-topic. Are there any pies you really can't abide? I had one of those Fray Bentos pies once, the ones that come in a tin? It was an experience to forget. (I did remove it from the tin first).
Sorry for drifting but got a bit emotional with @Charles No Likes Hawtrey kind words. Never been a fan of a chicken pie but would eat if pushed.