David Beckham has once again shown that even a knighthood and a global football career haven’t changed his taste for a proper plate of pie and mash. The former England captain was spotted at his beloved Tony’s Pie and Mash in Waltham Abbey, Essex, where he enjoyed a low-key family visit.
David, 51, has long been a fan of the traditional East End dish and has returned to the popular shop on numerous occasions over the years. This time, he was pictured alongside his mum Sandra as the family stopped by for a sit-down meal. David is reportedly a regular at the shop, where a pie and mash lunch costs £5.50.
A family favourite in Waltham Abbey
Smiling to the camera, the Beckhams were ready to tuck in to the much-loved East London cuisine. The casual outing is far removed from the glamorous restaurants and celebrity events David is often seen attending – but pie and mash has always held a special place in his heart.
The family-run restaurant has long been a favourite of David, who has been going to the cafe for years. His sons Romeo and Cruz have also previously been spotted putting in an order at the eatery in Waltham Abbey, just a few minutes down the road from where David grew up in Leytonstone.
A taste of home for the star
Shop owner Tony Lane has previously said: “He has brought his family here as well. Victoria doesn’t eat it, I don’t think she’s a pie and mash girl, but his boys seem to love it. David also loves jellied eels – but he doesn’t like the stewed version.”
The former England captain also had the pie and mash delivered to the Tottenham Hotspur team while training at the London club in 2011. Then-manager Harry Redknapp said later: "The foreign lads weren’t too sure. It’s only us Cockneys who know what pie and mash is. I was brought up on it so when they came I had three."
Back in 2021, Sandra even arranged a special pie and mash birthday lunch for her son, with David sharing snaps of the meal online. And in 2025, David reunited with his mum at Tony’s following the announcement that he had been named in the King’s Birthday Honours.
The traditional meal – usually served with mashed potato and parsley liquor, with vinegar and pepper for extra kick – is a taste of home for the East London-born star.
Another famous fan
Former Manchester United star Sir David Beckham isn’t the only famous face to have enjoyed a trip to Tony’s Pie and Mash either. Television hardman Danny Dyer has previously spoken fondly of the shop, which also caters for his beloved West Ham United.
When asked about his favourite restaurant by Rolling Stone, the Rivals star said: “I’m very much a basic man so it would be Tony’s Pie and Mash Shop from Waltham Abbey. I have a double double, loads of liquor, laced with chili vinegar, that’s important, and white pepper. It’s a lovely restaurant in Waltham Abbey and it hasn’t changed for like 100 years. It’s the same tiles and little benches. There’s nothing quite like a f*****g pie and mash to start your day.”
