If you haven’t been to one of the three Cornish Pasty Co. locations in Arizona, you are in for a real treat.

The original location opened in Tempe in 2005 and since their success, locations have emerged in Mesa and Old Town Scottsdale.

Walking into the entrance of the Tempe location, you immediately recognize the feel of an olde English pub; quaint and dark. I’ve heard it described as a “hole-in-the-wall” on many occasions, but since I tend to embrace those types of establishments, I’ll label it as cozy and comfortable.

Heavy wood tables and benches fill the dining area with a long bar that runs the length of the entire restaurant. I opt for sitting at the bar, where you can throw back some pints as you watch the varieties of pasties being prepared in the kitchen, which lies just behind the bar.

If that doesn’t get your mouth watering, I don’t know what will.

A pasty is a baked pastry originating in Cornwall, England. Dough, traditionally filled with meats and vegetables, is crimped and baked, resulting in a calzone-type of food. Each pie is made to order, and on this particular night, my dining companion decided on the Cottage Pie and I chose the Chicken Pot Pie.

The Cottage Pie is traditional English flavors — filled with seasoned ground beef, peas, carrots, grilled onions, mashed potatoes, and cheddar cheese. The hearty combination in a flaky crust is mouthwatering! A delightful red wine gravy comes on the side that you will gladly dunk your pocket of goodness into again and again.

The Chicken Pot Pie is packed with chicken, carrots, red potato, green beans and celery in a thyme and chicken gravy. The comforting warm flavors are so enticing it is hard to stop once you start eating. I proudly downed my pie in record time! It is sided with some extra gravy that I love to pour on top, making a savory, sloppy mess.

For all of you vegetarians and vegans, don’t fret: Cornish Pasty Co. has outstanding meatless pies that will even make meat-eaters come back for more.

Seriously, whole meals in delicious pockets? Can’t get much better than this!