It’s November, Otherwise Known as Pot Pie O’Clock

Comstock Saloon's Pot Pie, photo by Liza Gershman

It’s getting chilly at night, which means it’s time to indulge in one of the best all-in-one meals: The pot pie. (You thought I was going to say burrito, didn’t you.) Here are some top picks around town where you can get your pot pie on.

Chile Pies
This is some next-level pot pie: Red chile carne asada pot pie ($8)! Yeah, it’s damn good. Option number two at this New Mexican outpost is the green chile pot pie, with a cheddar crust (you can get chicken or vegetable)—and all come with a ladle of green chile gravy on top. (Don’t forget a slice of their green chile apple pie for dessert!)

Comstock Saloon
Chef Carlo Espinas does not mess around. He is known for his delicious pot pies (the crust is a thing of beauty), like a beef shank and bone marrow pot pie. The kitchen is magically open until 12 am, so swing by late and warm up with the current rendition of chicken pot pie with English peas and button mushrooms ($22), which is served with arugula salad and chanterelles, plus a side of pickled figs and apricots.

Michael Mina San Francisco
If you want to go luxe with your pot pie, executive chef Ron Siegel is the man to do it. You can order a deconstructed version of a pot pie with Maine lobster, Thai spices, coconut, green papaya, and finger lime. (N.B. If you’re looking for a classic rendition of pot pie, this is not the one to order.)

Mission Beach Cafe
What has become a San Francisco wintertime tradition, Mission Beach Cafe offers a selection of golden and delicious pot pies on Tuesdays once we’re deep into winter, made with pastry chef Alan Carter’s exquisite dough. There are four different kinds, but the rabbit ($17) is where it’s at: It comes with roasted turnips, baby parsnips, toybox carrots, and a savory velouté. (Let’s hope pot pie Tuesdays kicks off in December—tick tock!)

Presidio Social Club
Swing by this Presidio culinary outpost on Sundays for chicken pot pie Sunday night supper by chef Jay Abrams. For $29, you also get a butter lettuce salad and a dessert.