Cornish Pasty Co. in Tempe: Homemade Pasties Under $20

I can remember my first visit to the Cornish Pasty Co. It actually was not in Tempe, Arizona, but tucked away in a quiet strip mall in Las Vegas. Walking through the doors from the bright sun into that dark and dimly lit pub, I wondered exactly what I was getting myself into.

I sat at the bar, ordered a cold beer, and asked for my very first pasty. At the time, I had absolutely no idea what a pasty even was. But once I took a bite of that massive, flaky crust packed with delicious meats and veggies, I could not believe I had never tried one before. I immediately realized what I had been missing.

Fast forward to today. Whenever I am in Tempe for my annual spring training road trip, my first stop is always the Cornish Pasty Co. location right off University Dr. before a game at nearby Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Stepping out of the bright Arizona sun into this cozy hideout for a cold beer and a massive handmade pasty has become one of my favorite traditions for game day. When you consider the insane food prices inside stadiums these days, getting a meal this good for under 20 bucks is a steal.

Interior

One of my favorite things about Cornish Pasty Co. would be its unique décor. The contrast between the outside sun and the dark, dimly lit dining room, with rock music playing in the background, can be surprising.

The covered windows made me almost forget that the sun was still up outside. The interior featured dark wooden church pews, a red diamond carpet, black ceilings, and photos of miners on the walls, all contributing to the ambiance of an old English pub.

There was an impressive bar that ran the entire length of the dining room, perfect for enjoying a drink. This sleek, modern bar, with its industrial-style white chairs and bright hanging lights, brightened the space and complemented the traditional décor.

The space felt inviting, cozy, and welcoming, whether you were on a romantic date, dining with a large group, or enjoying a drink at the bar by yourself.

Outdoor Patio

If the dark and intimate interior isn’t your thing, you can always grab a table on the expansive outdoor patio. The dog-friendly patio had plenty of space and offered shade in the summer, along with heaters for those cold days and nights.

Cornish Pasty Co. Menu

I say this often, but the menu at Cornish Pasty Co. has something for everyone. For pasties, there are three sections: Signature Pasties, Premium Pasties, and Vegan & Vegetarian Pasties. While I am not vegan or vegetarian, I found their plant-based selection impressive, and I would not hesitate to order one.

First time visiting? I always recommend The Oggie (The Traditional Pasty) for $16, made with steak, potato, onion, and rutabaga (swede). Another popular option is the Carne Adovada for $18.50, made with New Mexican style red chili stew, Mexican rice, hatch chili, and cheddar cheese.

Besides the vegan and vegetarian options, most pasties include a protein such as pork, lamb, beef, chicken, or salmon. Want to take your pasty home and bake it yourself? You can order any pasty on the menu part-baked to go and finish it in the oven at home.

If the massive pasty menu is not enough, they also offer a wide selection of appetizers, soups, salads, desserts, and sides. They also have a full bar with a great rotation of local craft beers on draft, plus plenty of liquor and wine.

Tip: Because the kitchen preps the pasties ahead of time, running out of the top sellers is pretty common. I recommend having a backup pasty option.

The Chicken Greek

First up was The Chicken Greek ($18), made with chicken breast, spinach, fresh mozzarella, feta, sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, artichoke, and garlic. The Chicken Greek came with a side of tzatziki and an extra side of marinara since I also ordered the Italian.

The golden-brown, handmade pasty crust was crispy and warm after baking to perfection. While similar to a calzone, the crust was less doughy and more flaky, neither too thick nor too thin. I could taste its buttery flavor in each bite without overpowering the filling.

I was impressed by the number of ingredients packed into it for its size. Inside were simple yet large slices of chicken breast, sweet and chewy sun-dried tomatoes, fresh sautéed spinach, melted mozzarella, tender bits of artichoke, and garlic. The Kalamata olives and feta cheese added saltiness, complementing the buttery crust.

If you are looking for something relatively healthy on the menu, using fresh ingredients you can taste in each bite, then The Chicken Greek is it.

Italian

Next up was the Italian ($18) made with pepperoni, salami, capocollo, ham, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, and roasted tomato with a side of marinara. This pasty was heavy and dense, more so than The Chicken Greek. Like The Chicken Greek, this pasty crust was flaky, buttery, and crispy.

If you love pizza or are a meat-and-cheese kind of person, you will enjoy this pasty, packed with layer after layer of meat and cheese. This pasty had every type of meat you would want, including pepperoni, salami, capocollo, and ham.

Each meat added both flavor and texture. The pepperoni and salami added a smoky yet spicy flavor, while the capocollo added a fatty richness. The tender ham added sweetness and smokiness.

Layered between the meat was a thick slice of melted mozzarella. The soft, creamy, and salty cheese acted like glue between the layers of meat. I enjoyed how I could taste meat and cheese in every bite.

While easy to overlook, the roasted tomato might have been my favorite filling of this pasty. The chunks of tender tomatoes, both smoky and sweet, complemented the salty, rich meat and mozzarella. The fresh, acidic injection of flavor from the tomatoes brought this entire pasty together.

Service

No matter which Cornish Pasty Co. location I visit, whether in Tempe or Las Vegas, I always receive the same excellent service. With that said, I always sit at the bar on my visits. So, I can only speak of my experience with the laid-back, friendly, and attentive bartenders.

On my recent visit, the bartender was always around to pour a drink, give food recommendations, or chat about current events or spring training.

Conclusion

Since I first discovered Cornish Pasty Co., I have made it a tradition to stop by on my yearly road trips to Tempe for spring training. I can’t resist the flaky, buttery crust and the fresh, unique fillings of a Cornish pasty.

Along with the unique décor, friendly service, and great drinks, Cornish Pasty Co. should be on your list of must-try restaurants in Tempe.

If you are looking for other great spots in the area, be sure to check out my review of The Chuckbox for an amazing mesquite grilled burger, or grab a local pint at Four Peaks Brewing Company.

Pros

• Authentic pasties using fresh ingredients
• Extensive menu with many options
• Friendly bartenders
• Large outdoor patio
• Happy hour ($1 off drafts from 3–6 PM and 10 PM–close)
• Free parking

Cons

• Not uncommon for them to run out of certain items on the menu

Last Updated on April 1, 2026