Pop pie is coming to East County

A bit ago I got an exciting email from Alexis Crouch with commercial real estate broker Location Matters. She struck a deal between a landlord in La Mesa Village and its new tenants: Pop Pie Co. and Stella Jean’s.

The sister pot pie restaurant and ice cream shop are set to open this summer in side-by-side storefronts at 8243 and 8247 La Mesa Blvd. on the corner with Nebo Drive.

The food concepts will replace dog groomer Village Pet Salon and the former location of women’s resale boutique Act II.

Once they open, it will be the seventh location of Stella Jean’s and sixth location of Pop Pie Co. in San Diego County, plus the first in East County since the eatery opened in 2016. Founder Steven Torres told San Diego Magazine the company had been looking for the right location in La Mesa for several years before this opportunity came online.

The Kensington outpost of Stella Jean’s is the closest to La Mesa, but I usually find myself at the original location of Pop Pie Co. in University Heights, when I’m craving their elevated comfort food. La Mesa could use more scoop shops, and Stella Jean’s creative flavors like baklava cheesecake will be a great addition. This one also will include a coffee bar.

But it’s the thoughtful, flavorful and bold savory 5-inch pies from around the world at Pop Pie Co. that keep me coming back. They’re the perfect example of a limited menu where every item is made with excellence. The menu also has a variety of hand pies, sweet pies (shout out key lime) by the slice, sausage rolls, cookies and quiches.

Recommendation: Most people are familiar with fan-favorite chicken pot pies, but my go-to is the Green Hog & Cheese filled with slow braised pork shoulder simmered with mildly hot peppers and served in the signature all-butter crust.