No need to stew over where to get potpie

One way to ward off the chill of autumn is with a hot chicken potpie. Pick the wrong restaurant, and it's more like chicken potluck. These places are some of the city's better options.

Sobo Cafe

6-8 W. Cross St.

410-752-1518

HOURS // noon to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily Sobo Cafe makes only a number of these pies per night, so call in early to stake a claim. A nearly foot-long slab of crust covers a homey mix of vegetables and chicken in this $11 pie. Chunks of dark andwhite meat (one with a bone still in it) swim through a thick broth next to carrot slices as wide as quarters.

MAGGIE MOORE'S

21 N. Eutaw St.

410-837-2100

HOURS // 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily MaggieMoore's potpie, $12.60, features one huge puffed-pastry shamrock floating on top of a salty stew. Most of the chicken is dark and tender, and the pie was baked long enough to allow the flavors tomingle without drying themeat.

JAMES JOYCE

616 S. President St.

410-727-5107

HOURS // 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily Served in a round aluminum container, James Joyce's potpie, $11.50, resembles a pre-made one you'd buy in a supermarket and heat up-but the similarity ends there. Smaller cubes of carrots, chicken, potatoes and peas in a creamy sauce hide under a piping-hot crust. Twowarmdinner rolls alsowere included in a separate plastic box.

SLAINTE

1700 Thames St.

410-563-6600

HOURS // 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily Four sweet pastry shamrocks garnish Slainte's potpie, $12.60. The stewis extra smooth and rich, and an order there also comes with a side salad.

Know of a good carryout place? Let us hear about it. Write to [e-mail].