Belize’s Flaky Favorite Meat Pies Travel Far to Feed Tradition

You know, there’s something magical about the foods that shape who we are, the ones that go beyond flavor and become part of our identity. For many Belizeans, that magic lives in a golden, flaky crust filled with savory goodness, the beloved meat pie. Since bursting onto the breakfast scene in the 1980s, meat pies have become a cultural staple, more than simply a morning bite. And for Belizeans living abroad, that first bite is like a warm hug from home. In tonight’s edition of Kolcha Tuesday, News Five’s Paul Lopez takes us on a flavorful journey into the tradition, and the travels, of the iconic Belizean meat pie.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

It’s a familiar tradition, when a Belizean heads to the U.S., loved ones back home eagerly await that barrel packed with goodies. But what about the items that Belizeans bring with them or send abroad without fail? There’s one tasty treasure that’s made the journey time and time again, the iconic meat pie. It’s stood the test of time, crossing borders and warming hearts wherever Belizeans go.

 

Brent Hernandez, Operations Manager, Dario’s Meat Pie

“The evidence is there, Mexico known for tacos. You will eat a nice tacos. You go to El Salvador and you will get pupusas. Dah Belize, my dad helped to put Belize on the world map with meat pie. That is an invention that is unique.”

Brent Hernandez is the youngest son of the late Dario Hernandez, the creator of Dario’s Meat Pie. Back in the eighties, when Hernandez first introduced his meat pies to the market, they didn’t just sell, they took off. It was an instant hit, winning over breakfast lovers across Belize. Multiple bakeries have since emerged, churning out dozens of the beloved breakfast staple daily.

 

Reporter

“How much meat pies you eat a day?”

 

Student

“About four.”

Reporter

“You ever eat Pou meat pie?”

 

Student

“Yes. To me I eat it because it is nice sometimes and I like this one because it is hotter and bunner and I like it hot and bun. Mmm, it tastes so good.”

 

That’s a scene from 1999. Almost three decades later, the lines are still long on any given morning at meat pie bakeries. From the moment meat pies hit the scene, their popularity has only soared, and now, they’re going global. These savory staples are even catching flights. Every week, Belizeans stop by vendors like Moe’s Pizza Pasta to stock up on meat pies, packing them carefully to send off to loved ones abroad. It’s a delicious way to stay connected to home.

 

Lorraine Hall, Employee, Moe’s Pizza Pasta

“Some people usually pre-order, when they order they come in, and some people bring their containers. And, we also pack it on our pizza boxes.”

 

Paul Lopez

“You are telling me meat pies can survive a long journey to the U.S. or other parts of the world?”

 

Lorraine Hall

“For example when people order they come and pick their order up and freeze them and take them to the U.S.”

 

Brent Hernandez

“I think the furthest place I ever heard my meat pie gone before is a group of men that came and they brought boxes of pie and they took them to Australia.”

 

When meat pies are airport-bound, how they’re packaged depends on just how far the traveler’s going. The longer the journey, the more careful the prep, because keeping that flaky crust and savory filling intact is serious business. Some people prefer to preorder their meat pies to freeze for travel.

 

Brent Hernandez

“That is one of our frequent phrases or location that we hear a lot America, America, America. That is one of the places most frequent. Belizeans coming say oh I am going to a wedding in Belize for my uncle, I have to make sure to take some Dario’s meat pie with me and they miss it, why because eating Dario’s meat pies reminds them of home. That nostalgia, when they are living in America lets say fifteen years, the first thing they want when they come back home, I need some Dario’s meat pies.”

 

Lorraine Hall

“This is a part of the tradition like I said. So they want to feel like they are at home, because they are missing something so they order their meat pies and take it for their family members, friends or anybody who wants to order.”

 

Paul Lopez

“So they feel like they are taking a part of home with them.”

 

Lorraine Hall

“Yes sir.”

 

These vendors agree on one thing, this deep-rooted tradition of eating meat pies for breakfast connects Belizeans abroad to home. And that is why many endure long flights overseas with dozens of meat pies that are just as fresh as they leave the bakery, after a minute of reheating in a toaster oven. Hernandez now has his vision set on prepackaged meat pies for the frozen-aisle section of grocery stores.

 

Brent Hernandez

“It is my dream that one day I could start to ship out container full, just like how they have Hot Pockets and different things, the Eggo, I want Dario’s meat pies just like that.”

 

Until then, the traditional way of transporting meat pies abroad will remain in place, as Belizeans in the diaspora continue to long for a taste of home.

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez