There are pies, and there are pies. I think it's illogical to talk about pies meant as main dishes and pies meant as desserts as if they were of the same ilk. They aren't. The only thing a chicken pot pie and an apple pie have in common is that they both have crusts. Comparing them is like comparing a chocolate cake and a loaf of pumpernickel, or a glazed donut and bagel. They have similar outward appearances, but that's all.

Having said that, I don't get the point of meat pies. They're nothing but stew with a crust. Why bother? Just make the friggin' stew and spend the time you'd waste making the crust playing guitar.

As for dessert pies, some may be better than others, but even the worst is still better than any cake (with the possible exception of German chocolate or carrot cake).