Just before we disembarked from the Durango-Silverton train at Silverton, the conductor suggested a sandwich shop farther into town. Most of the hungry crowd followed his directions.
I spotted a sign right beside the tracks advertising: Chicken Pot Pie Pasties among other goodies. Why follow the crowd when there’s good food right here?
And it was very very good food. In addition to the pasties we enjoyed: Brownies, Apple Cranberry Bread, and a Breakfast Burrito.
The proprietors are a young couple who live in Silverton. My husband commented to the male owner, “This food makes me think of the Great British Baking Show.”
“That’s what inspired my wife,” the owner replied. “She watched the show and began experimenting. All our food is made from fresh ingredients utilizing her original recipes.”
We enjoyed their food so much we returned for lunch the next day–this time by private car instead of by train. We had to wait a little while for the pasties to finish baking on that chilly day.
“What most people don’t realize is the adjustments that must be made for high altitude baking. It’s quite a challenge.” The husband explained while his wife baked. “If someone leaves the front door of the restaurant open too long on a cold morning it can delay the baking twenty minutes or more.”
Travel Light Humor
Pasties are like a meat and vegetable-filled hand pie or folded pie (see photo above left). The proprietor went on to tell us more. “We’ve had so many people tell us that we misspelled pasties that I had to adjust the signboard. Underneath pasties I wrote, ‘We also serve pastries.’ “
By the way, pasties are pronounced: “past — ees.” Not “paste — ees.”
The image conjured up by the mispronunciation of British pasties led to a slightly embarrassing conversation with another train passenger. If you don’t know what I’m talking about–never mind.
Travel Info for the Sage Hen Cafe
220 E. 12th St., Silverton, CO
(970) 387-0263
http://www.sagehencafe.com
Hours: Wednesday — Sunday, 7:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.
Closed: Monday and Tuesday
Location: Directly next to the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad stop.
Menu includes: Gourmet coffee, baked goods (made daily from scratch–worth the wait), soups, and savory pasties. Vegan and gluten free options available (check with proprietors for these options).
One caution: you are in the mountains; it costs more to ship food. Expect to pay a bit more. But to us, the quality and flavor were worth it at the Sage Hen. (Check the website’s menu for current prices.)
Speaking of food, did you know this Saturday, December 1st is National Pie Day? Not to be confused with National Pi Day celebrated March 14th (3.14159…).
I have no idea how to celebrate Pi Day–perhaps do math problems all day? However, National Pie Day is a holiday I can truly celebrate!
What is your favorite pie? Tell me about it in the comments. Feel free to share a favorite recipe if you’d like.
Until next time . . . Pass me the Pie,
SuZan
© 2018 SuZan Klassen
SuZan Klassen 
Favorite pie is tough since I’m gluten free. It used to be lemon meringue. And … in Honduras, we often had pasties b/c one of the missionaries was from Michigan and made them for us. Delicious !
I suspect that the baker at the Sage Hen may have used potatoes somehow in her “crust” because of the taste and texture. Of course, it could simply be the difference made by that high-altitude baking issue. At any rate, I feel like experimenting–that is–if I ever get the time to do so.