Chicken Pie Shop makes around 500–700 chicken pies a day, but they are intentional they are about waste. Instead of letting extra food go unused, they freeze what they can and use surprise bags to offer customers a deal while reducing food waste!

On this episode of More Precious Than Rubies, I’m walking through the Chicken Pie Shop in North Park with General Manager and co-owner Lisa Townsend. In this episode, Lisa shares how the restaurant started in 1938 in downtown San Diego, moved through Hillcrest, and landed in North Park in 1992, plus why they’ve resisted trends to stay true to the restaurant's history. We talk about leading as a woman in the food industry, how they pivoted during COVID, why the regulars are truly the “bread and butter,” and we go behind the scenes to see how the pies are made. If you’re in San Diego, you MUST add Chicken Pie Shop to your list of places to try! https://chickenpieshops.com/ ✨ Follow us on Instagram & TikTok → https://linktr.ee/mptrpodcast 🎙️ Subscribe for more faith-filled, uplifting content! 💬 Subscribe to the MPTR newsletter to get early access to episodes! https://www.aquirozmedia.com/mptr-newsletter Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:48 How Chicken Pie Shop began (1938) + moves through SD 2:38 “We’re not trying to be fancy,” protecting tradition 3:51 Leading as a woman & modernizing without changing the soul 7:34 Community wins 11:10 500–700 pies/day & reducing food waste 13:31 Kitchen walk-through + what’s inside the famous pie 18:06 Outro

One of the pie makers at Chicken Pie Shop has been there for 47 years! When staff know what “right” looks and tastes like, they’re not just making a recipe, they’re carrying a tradition. Season 4 starts THIS SATURDAY! Tune in to watch listen on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. #foodie #food #chickenpie #localbusiness

Season 4 is almost here…and to celebrate, I had to start with a taste test. 🥧 For the first episode of this new walk-through season of More Precious Than Rubies, I visited the iconic Chicken Pie Shop in North Park to talk with Lisa Townsend about family legacy, comfort food, and what it takes to keep an 87-year-old San Diego restaurant going strong. Full episode will be out THIS SATURDAY, and if this chicken pot pie doesn’t convince you to watch, I don’t know what will. 👀 #ChickenPieShop #SanDiegoFood #NorthParkSanDiego #SanDiegoRestaurants #WomenInBusiness #LocalBusinessSpotlight

This is a highlight clip from our full interview with Michelle Jue, founder of The Mawanda Project, which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/n3u6fzCovsY What happens when a short-term trip turns into a long-term calling? In this clip, Michelle Jue shares the story of her first trip to Uganda in 2010, the friendship that shaped her perspective, and how that relationship eventually helped spark The Mawanda Project. This conversation explores the heart behind the mission, the joy she encountered, and how one connection grew into something much bigger. Learn more about the Mawanda Project: https://www.themawandaproject.com/ourstory ✨ Follow us on Instagram & TikTok → https://linktr.ee/mptrpodcast 🎙️ Subscribe for more faith-filled, uplifting content! 💬 Subscribe to the MPTR newsletter to get early access to episodes! https://www.aquirozmedia.com/mptr-newsletter

This is a highlight clip from our full interview with Michelle Jue, founder of The Mawanda Project, which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/n3u6fzCovsY In this clip, Michelle Jue talks about the long-term impact of education, what it means to support children and communities in sustainable ways, and how she has learned to balance a demanding engineering career while leading The Mawanda Project. Learn more about the Mawanda Project: https://www.themawandaproject.com/ourstory ✨ Follow us on Instagram & TikTok → https://linktr.ee/mptrpodcast 🎙️ Subscribe for more faith-filled, uplifting content! 💬 Subscribe to the MPTR newsletter to get early access to episodes! https://www.aquirozmedia.com/mptr-newsletter

This is a highlight clip from our full interview with Michelle Jue, founder of The Mawanda Project, which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/n3u6fzCovsY In this clip, Michelle Jue talks about what it really took to move from inspiration to consistency, how The Mawanda Project grew over time, and why asking for help was essential. This is a valuable conversation for anyone building something meaningful while trying to stay grounded, practical, and faithful over the long haul. Learn more about the Mawanda Project: https://www.themawandaproject.com/ourstory ✨ Follow us on Instagram & TikTok → https://linktr.ee/mptrpodcast 🎙️ Subscribe for more faith-filled, uplifting content! 💬 Subscribe to the MPTR newsletter to get early access to episodes! https://www.aquirozmedia.com/mptr-newsletter

This is a highlight clip from our full interview with Dianne Sivulka, founder of Travel on Purpose, which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/a47r84mkZJ8 In this clip, she explains why her trips are designed as learning journeys, not just vacations. Hear how TOP builds culturally immersive experiences by involving local voices early, supporting local economies, and asking one powerful question: “What would you like us to learn?” Book a trip with Travel on Purpose: https://www.travelonpurpose.com/immersive-tours-28 Join the book club: https://pages.travelonpurpose.com/BookClub2026 ✨ Follow us on Instagram & TikTok → https://linktr.ee/mptrpodcast 🎙️ Subscribe for more faith-filled, uplifting content! 💬 Subscribe to the MPTR newsletter to get early access to episodes! https://www.aquirozmedia.com/mptr-newsletter