Pie lovers thrilled Georgie's back - except for the price tag

New Zealand's favourite pie is back - but a taste of nostalgia will sell at up to three times the price of existing brands.

McDonald's said yesterday it would begin selling the Georgie Pie Steak Mince 'N' Cheese at 11 restaurants in Auckland and Waikato next month.

However, the pie's return comes with a $4.50 price tag - up from the $1 the pies used to retail at and up to three times the cost of other pies.

A Herald survey in central Auckland found a Big Ben Steak/Cheese pie sold for just $1.55 at Metro New World, and the most expensive alternative was a Keri Pies Steak & Cheese or Mince & Cheese for $3.50 apiece at City Mart Wyndham St.

Many people said they would take the $4.50 hit, while others were happy sticking with cheaper alternatives.

Leigh Blann suggested "at $4.50 they better be magical" and Catherine Brown said "I was excited about Georgie Pie coming back but now I'm not. $4.50 - get real".

However, the price was no obstacle for Rocky Mak: "I don't care about the price. I forgot what it tasted like.

"It's like being re-acquainted with a long-lost friend."

The Georgie Pie chain was shut down by McDonald's in the late 1990s.

McDonald's said the pies would be produced to the original recipe - with the MSG removed.

The pies will initially be available at McDonald's in Greenlane and Queen St, followed by other city stores, then restaurants in Hamilton and Te Awamutu.

The company says the pie may become available nationwide and additional flavours might be added to the range.