Who doesn't love a warm slice of pie with a flaky crust and sweet, gooey filling? From coast to coast, the US is home to some of the best pie shops in the world. Whether you're a fan of classic apple or prefer more unconventional flavors like salted caramel, there's a pie out there for everyone.
There may be a few things more American than apple pie, but the French have macarons and crepe suzette and the Italians have tiramisu and cannoli. Restaurants in the United States now offer a wide variety of pies, with contents that reflect the chef's imagination and regional specialties that set certain pies apart. The best places in the United States to sample traditional American pies and those with creative new flavors are listed below.
Birdie G’s - Los Angeles, California
Try: Petal & Pretzel pie
With a mission to spread "regional American gastronomy" and "timeless family traditions," it's no surprise that pie is a specialty at this Santa Monica supper club. Birdie G's other options range from traditional to novel, but the rose-petal flavor is by far the most well-known.
Sweet Tooth Boston - Boston, Massachusetts
Try: Boston Cream Pie
One of the most recognizable dishes from Massachusetts is the Boston Cream Pie, which was created in 1856 and initially served at the grand Omni Parker House. The present day, however, calls for the extreme pies from Sweet Tooth Boston in South Boston. Glenn Quirion, owner, and baker is known for his architecturally sound cakes, which got him a spot on the Food Network show "Cake Wars." He also makes an impressive variety of pies, including apple, blueberry, peach, banana cream, and his mother's butterscotch cream.
Pie Junkie - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Try: Orange bourbon pecan pie
Friends Darcy Schein and Leslie Coale-Mossman launched Pie Junkie in 2010 as a side project and haven't stopped since. More than a dozen unique flavors are available, such as orange bourbon pecan, and peanut butter chocolate. Bakeries in Oklahoma City are known for their cult-favorite Drunken Turtle pie, which has a graham cracker crust filled with fudgy chocolate and topped with bourbon-spiked caramel and pecans. It's also possible to buy it frozen and bake it at home, with a wide variety of flavors available in this format.
Blue Sky Bakery Café - Chicago, Illinois
Try: Strawberry mascarpone pie with lemon curd and a gingersnap crust
Blue Sky Bakery & Café has a concept that's just as sugary as its baked goods. The company is a non-profit organization working for social change in Chicago by providing job opportunities to homeless and at-risk adolescents. The mini pies are the best part. Choose the fresh fruit-topped or dark chocolate pecan-topped option.
Gregg’s - Providence, Rhode Island
Try: Chocolate chip cookie pie
Former President Obama gave the six-layer Death By Chocolate cake a presidential seal of approval during his 2014 visit to the Providence location of this retro-themed restaurant and bakery. The family's favorite apple pie calls for five pounds of apples from upstate New York, so he would have fared just as well making that. Coconut custard, chocolate chip cookies, and frozen strawberry yogurt are three more winners. This Ocean State is home to four Gregg's stores.
Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies - Brooklyn, New York
Try: Key Lime Pie
While it's exciting to visit a bakery and have to make a difficult decision, there's something very admirable about a baker who has chosen to devote his or her life to mastering a single type of pastry. A specialist in his field, Steve Tarpin of Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pies has built his business on his namesake pie.
Over three decades ago, he began producing the pies in Florida, the birthplace of the key lime pie. To this day, his pies, which come in 8-inch, 4-inch, and "teaser" size 3-inch varieties, get their signature tang from freshly squeezed lime juice. That, and the special graham-crumb crust. His pies are sold at various New York City stores, including Whole Foods, but his flagship bakery is on the waterfront in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
Ted’s Bakery - Oahu, Hawaii
Try: Chocolate haupia cream pie
It should come as no surprise that tropical fruits are used in the most intriguing pies in Hawaii. Ted's Bakery's chocolate haupia cream pie is so popular, residents keep coming back for more. This delectable dessert comprises haupia, a rich coconut pudding, together with dark chocolate custard and fluffy whipped cream. Strawberry guava cream pie and strawberry haupia cream pie are two other regionally inspired dessert choices. Even though this bakery-café is located in the northern part of Oahu, you can find Ted's delicious pies all over the island. They can be purchased at any number of retail outlets, including grocery stores, convenience stores, and specialty shops.
Sweet Potato Sensations - Detroit, Michigan
Try: Sweet potato coconut pie
You should never ignore the strength of a tuber. It appears that this is the lesson taught at Sweet Potato Sensations, a bakery in Detroit that recently celebrated 30 years in business. The sweet potato pecan and sweet potato coconut pies are to die for. The sweet potato cheesecake, biscuits, and cobblers are also delicious.
Texan Café and Pie Shop - Hutto, Texas
Try: Apple pie a la mode
Like everything else in Texas, the portions at this homey cafe are enormous. People from all over the area flock to the Texan Café and Pie Shop for the chicken-fried steak, catfish, and burgers, then stick around to sample some of the many dessert options. The menu features both classic flavors like chocolate fudge and peanut butter and more daring ones like a peppermint patty. The apple pie a la mode is served in a warm cast-iron skillet, and while other tempting specialties, such as pumpkin praline, are available, the flagship dish is the apple pie. Hutton's famous Pie Happy Hour is held daily from 3 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
GainesRidge Dinner Club - Camden, Alabama
Try: Black Bottom Pie
GainesRidge Dinner Club, located in a mansion constructed in 1827, offers standard American dishes such as steak and seafood casserole. However, the most sought-after sweet treat here comes with a touch of extra glitz. The owner's mother's recipe for Black Bottom Pie is used to make the pie, which is included on the list of "Dishes to Eat Before You Die" compiled by the Alabama Department of Tourism. After taking a bite of this chocolate and bourbon-spiked custard pie encased in a gingersnap crust and topped with a mound of whipped cream, you'll see why they're so certain in their assertion.
Conclusion
Whether you're in the mood for a comforting slice of pecan or a tangy lemon meringue, these 10 pie shops are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. So why not take a trip to one of these delicious bakeries and indulge in a slice of heaven? With a wide range of flavors and styles, there's a pie for everyone in America.
