Best Shepherd's Pie In Sacramento

If you examine almost any culture and its history, the simple meal of a meat filling stuffed in a some type of pastry or bread staple can be found in numerous variations. In China you have the steamed bun. In Greece, it's the Gyro with its rotisserie pork or chicken in a pita that takes the cake. And in many countries in Europe including the UK and Ireland, the Shepherd's Pie is a dish that has fed millions of people for literally hundreds of years. With a simple pastry stuffed with lamb, beef, or other meats and mashed potatoes, it's a savory dish that can still be found in many restaurants in Sacramento County today.

De Vere's Irish Pub
1521 L St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 231-9947
www.deverespub.com

One Sacramento resident described De Vere's Irish Pub's Shepherd's Pie as tasting exactly like grandmother's. And why not as it's literally called "Granny's Shepherd's Pie" on the menu. You won't find lamb in this pie but you will find Ground beef, onion, celery, peas, carrots, rich gravy, and toasted mash potatoes. If you want a hearty meal for lunch or dinner, De Vere's Shepard's Pie will do the trick.

The Fat Rabbit Public House
825 Sutter St.
Folsom, CA 95630
(916) 985-3289
www.facebook.com/thefatrabbitpublichouse

The Fat Rabbit has dubbed their Shepherd's Pie as a "True Pub Classic" and rightfully so. Fat Rabbit's Shepard's Pie comes stuffed with ground beef and veggies with a large dollop of mashed potatoes on top. Pair this pie with a scotch egg, some fish and chips, and a stout ale and you've got yourself a meal fit for a king. With reasonable prices, you really can't go wrong with a stop at the Fat Rabbit Public House.

Boxing Donkey Irish Pub
300 Lincoln St.
Roseville, CA 95648
(916) 797-3665
www.theboxingdonkey.com

The Boxing Donkey takes a modern approach to the traditional Shepherd's Pie and hits it out of the park. Their pie isn't much of a pie in the traditional sense of the meaning. Their's come with certified Angus beef, carrots, peas and onions stewed in an herb gravy. Tuck all that underneath some cheesy potatoes and pair it with a side of garlic bread and you have yourself one hearty meal. It's been dubbed by one reviewer as "comfort food" at its finest so if that isn't reason enough to head over to the Boxing Donkey, we don't know what is.

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Bonn Lair
3651 J. St.
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 455-7155
www.bonnlair.com

Bonn Lair's Shepard's Pie comes highly recommended as a great pairing with a pint of beer. Bonn Lair's pie comes with a beef and vegetable mixture topped with a savory sauce and mashed potatoes. Each pie is served with peas, gravy, and a roll. We recommend finishing off this hearty meal with their sticky toffee pudding, a Bonn Lair chef's favorite.

Fox & Goose
1001 R. St.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 443-8825
www.foxandgoose.com

Fox and Goose has been in existence for the close to 50 years now and has become a Sacramento staple in the community. If it's not the great ambiance that'll draw you in, it's definitely their food. Their Shepherd's Pie comes with ground beef in a thick gravy mixed with carrots, peas, and onions all topped off with mashed potatoes. They bake it until it's a crispy golden brown. Pair this pie with one of their black teas or great selection of coffees and you've got yourself a hearty lunch.

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Paulo Acoba is a California native raised in the Bay Area and living in the Central Valley. He enjoys distance running, cycling and grassroots motorsports. He holds a degree in management from the University of California Merced. Paulo has been writing for Examiner.com since 2012 and covering the Fresno area.