When I first heard the name DUB Pies, I couldn’t help but think of King Tubby sitting on a curb in Kingston munching a fat slice of Key Lime, or dub co-opters UB40 guiltily downing a wedge of Rhubarb while standing on the dole in London. But in Red Hook, DUB refers not to a bygone musical genre, but rather to Down Under Bakery. And Pies represents a Southern Hemispheric twist on the traditional English meat pie - the more portable Aussie version.

CPC has had a good feeling about DUB ever since our first visit back in June, when the spunky Australian Pie-Lady gave me a free birthday cupcake. She also talked me into something called a Flat White, an Australian espresso drink somewhere between a latte and a cappuccino which sent me into a vibratory state of altered consciousness for the next 2 hours. But such offerings are mere accessories to DUB’s namesake.

According to their Web site, DUB is the “first specialty bakery to bring the authentic New Zealand-Australian experience – the culturally iconic meat pie – to NYC.” They peddle their pies out of a small storefront on Columbia Ave in Red Hook, and may be the friendliest spot in Brooklyn. From the moment CPC walks in we’re comforted by the seemingly-genuine banter with the Aussie owner – a large pony-tailed fellow who could definitely kick Paul Hogan’s ass – but in a nice way.

A small glass display case houses DUB’s mostly-meaty selection of pies – the standard being the Steak Mince Pie - high-quality ground beef drowned in thick, onion gravy. Other offerings include Chunky Steak Pies and the Shepard’s Pie (a CPC favorite due to our theory that everything tastes better with some form of potato). Veggie-lovers will find solace in the Curry Vegetable variety – a medley of veggies with a garam masala kick. It should be noted that DUB participates in the Southern Australian practice of Pie Floating, in which pies are served bobbing in a bowl of split pea soup, supposedly to help alleviate the woes of a stomach full of Foster’s. Finish up with a Lammington – jam-filled sponge cake covered in chocolate and coconut – or, a Key Lime Pie courtesy of fellow Red Hooker Steve. Oh yeah, and make sure to wash everything down with a “Fred.”

For additional DUB commentary check out 423 Smith and Brooklyn Record.