(Image: Propa Sunderland)
A pie shop with a celebrity twist is serving up nostalgia in every bite, and fans just keep coming back for more.
Propa, a comfort food eatery opened by Hairy Biker Si King in Sunderland, has been delighting customers with its hearty British bites since December 2024.
Located at Sheepfolds Stables near the Stadium of Light, the grab-and-go spot has quickly become a favourite for its generous pies, creamy mash and classic school-dinner desserts.
Propa is Mr King’s first restaurant venture and forms part of the wider regeneration of the historic Sheepfolds Stables site.
The stables, originally built in 1884 for the North Eastern Railway, once housed around 100 working horses that transported goods around Sunderland’s railway depots and industrial sites.
Today, the restored Victorian buildings have been transformed into a destination for independent food businesses, bars and events.
Pies are at the centre of the Propa menu, with both classic and creative options.
BBC Radio 1's Greg James is also a fan.
The menu has included chicken and leek, curried pork and a vegetarian lentil, Carlin pea and goat’s cheese pie.
Some are served with traditional mash and gravy, while others come with accompaniments tailored to the filling.
Sheepfolds Stables reported in July 2025 that the steak and ale pie had become the standout favourite among the approximately 29,000 pies sold since opening.
Other menu items celebrate North East cooking, with mince and dumplings, casseroles and panackelty – a regional dish featuring potatoes, onions and meat – all making appearances.
The menu changes regularly, so customers may find different pies or specials on each visit.
And it’s not just the savoury dishes drawing attention.
Propa also serves up classic British desserts like cornflake tart and custard, evoking memories of school dinners.
One reviewer described the cakes as "just like school dinner puddings. Mouth-watering here."
The focus on comfort food and nostalgia has struck a chord with diners, offering an alternative to more elaborate restaurant desserts.
Food is designed to be taken away, though outdoor seating is available beneath a canopy and around a firepit at Sheepfolds Stables.
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Propa has earned glowing reviews on Tripadvisor, where it holds a 4.3 out of five rating and received a Travellers’ Choice award for 2026.
One reviewer described the pies as "perfection in a pie," praising the pastry, fillings, mash and gravy.
Another visitor called the chicken curry and corned beef and potato pies "really delicious," and described the mash as "glorious and soft and buttery."