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Savory hand pies are coming to Lakeview next month as the owners of Barangaroos Aussie Pies plan to bring a taste of Australia to Chicago with their first restaurant. Arjun and Lilly Seigell were inspired by Sydney’s acclaimed pie makers like Pie Face, Pie Tin, Manly Pies, and Newtown Pies. While plentiful in Australia, American options are few. They’re opening their shop at 3208 N. Sheffield Avenue.
“What’s great about pies is that you can put anything inside,” said Lilly Seigell, a Texas native.
Barangaroos is named after a Sydney suburb where meat pies are a big deal for a convenient and quick meal. The pies are a bit different down under compared to other countries. For instance, Lilly Seigell said the Aussie version is a bit more traditional round pie shaped compared to its more cylindrical English siblings like the ones Chicagoans could find in Pilsen at Pleasant House Pub or at either faction of the Red Lion in Lincoln Square or Lincoln Park.
Barangaroos will have 11 pies initially available that all come in one size. There’s a classic mince stuffed with ground beef, onions, and cheese. The “Brekkie” comes with eggs, steak, and cheese. There’s also chicken tikka masala and Buffalo chicken for more of an international flair. Lilly Seigell’s favorite is the Mexican with steak fajita, black beans, cheese, pico de gallo, and sour cream. The pies will be baked and assembled daily on premises.
The Seigells will also serve soup and sides like macaroni and cheese, pasta salad, and street corn. They’ll also have Australian candies and cookies. No, they won’t show Australian-rules football or any other related sports. Fans will have to head to Irving Park to the Templestowe Pub if they want that type of atmosphere.
The Seigells are married and this is their first restaurant. Arjun’s from India and has a business background with an MBA. Lily’s from Texas and has worked with restaurants in Boston. A trip visiting Arjun’s sister in Australia inspired them to open Barangaroos: “[savory pies are] like hot dogs or hamburgers over there,” said Arjun Seigell.
The two moved to Chicago in May to pursue opening a restaurant. They could open others if the Lakeview location is successful. Barangaroo has already passed city inspections and the Seigells are shooting to open the first week of February for lunch and dinner.
