What's your pie place?

[Crystallas]

The area used to have a ton of world class pie joints, but culture and pastry preferences have changed over time. Old bakers died off, new gen walked in and brought their own deserts.

I genuinely don't know what is good anymore. Home made is nice and easy, but there is something about going to a pie place and just trying a few slices with coffee.

The last really good place that was specifically for pies that my family used to go to, and no, not Bakers Square... was Fasano's in Bedford Park. I see they have a store in La Grange now. No idea if they are any good(as far as being worthwhile vs just baking at home or going elsewhere). I *mostly* grew up in Archer Heights, Clearing, and Garfield Ridge. So back in the day, a huge chunk of bakeries were all over the area for the purpose of shipping foods through Midway. Nearly all of those places have moved out, are gone, or new generations have run/watered down the family businesses. A story that is all too familiar for many here in pretty much all neighborhoods in the greater Chicagoland.

/vent, I know... but the point is, that just makes me think. Maybe most of these places aren't fully gone. Just evolved, moved a bit, or survive in some form or another.


TL;DR

What are your go to pie joints to fill the pie holes in the area? I know you guys in other states probably have something good too, sure, whatever. But I'd like to keep this Chicago specific, doesn't have to be, but it might help out others. So if you left the area and remember some places, would be nice to reminisce a bit.

Trying to expand outside of your typical chain or grocery store that basically uses frozen crusts and canned filling.

 

[BearFanJohn]

Hoosier Mama Pie Co.

Mindy’s Hot Chocolate May or may not have pies depending on the menu but fantastic desserts.

 

[IBleedBearsBlood]

The bunny ranch. Oh wait...


Sent from my iPhone X using Tapatalk

 

[Omeletpants]

Pie is for posers

 

[brett05]

So before Baker's Square there was Poppin Fresh. And yes, I probably loved it as any kid loves Tombstone pizza, but it was definitely a great memory. Their Banana Cream pie was fantastic and I recall my parents using the tins in the garden to keep birds out of it.

Fasano's in Bedford Park Crys? I never heard of them. Shame on me living four lousy blocks from Bedford Park (Bridgeview). How did you eat there if they were closed for almost your entire lifetime? (http://desplainesvalleynews.com/fasano-pies-shop-now-open-in-la-grange-p4185-117.htm)

For me, it was Tuzik's Bakery that was on 53rd and Kedzie. That was our bakery in the city and they had the freshest blueberries.

Never had pie at Weber's Bakery, but they are still one of the very best made by hand bakeries around. I bet what pies they make are just as good as their other baked goods.

Olympia Bakery in Palos Heights on Roberts Rd was another great stop.

Out where I live now, I've yet to find a bakery. It could be just me, but i feel like investors are missing the boat on just how much money could be made by putting a bakery out here

 

[Ares]

Not in the Chicago area, but I feel compelled to share.

My aunt lives in Tucson, AZ and when I was a teenager we went out by her a few times for Summer vacation, for maybe a week.

There is a mountain near Tucson called Mount Lemmon and it has a small town a ways up called Summerhaven.

There isn't much there.... a small community and a few shops.

The drive and the scenery are the main attraction, but Summerhaven had this tiny cafe that served coffee/tea and pie.

Hands down some of the best pie I've ever eaten.

That cafe closed down.... the owner died... but a restaurant opened on the same spot and we went there last time we visited my aunt.... the food was solid... pie was reminiscent.... I thought it was similarly good, but it may have been a mind over matter kinda deal.

It was cherry pie FTR.... I think the lady only made like 3-4 kinds.... cherry, apple, and two other I forget.

 

[gpphat]

The area used to have a ton of world class pie joints, but culture and pastry preferences have changed over time. Old bakers died off, new gen walked in and brought their own deserts.

I genuinely don't know what is good anymore. Home made is nice and easy, but there is something about going to a pie place and just trying a few slices with coffee.

The last really good place that was specifically for pies that my family used to go to, and no, not Bakers Square... was Fasano's in Bedford Park. I see they have a store in La Grange now. No idea if they are any good(as far as being worthwhile vs just baking at home or going elsewhere). I *mostly* grew up in Archer Heights, Clearing, and Garfield Ridge. So back in the day, a huge chunk of bakeries were all over the area for the purpose of shipping foods through Midway. Nearly all of those places have moved out, are gone, or new generations have run/watered down the family businesses. A story that is all too familiar for many here in pretty much all neighborhoods in the greater Chicagoland.

/vent, I know... but the point is, that just makes me think. Maybe most of these places aren't fully gone. Just evolved, moved a bit, or survive in some form or another.


TL;DR

What are your go to pie joints to fill the pie holes in the area? I know you guys in other states probably have something good too, sure, whatever. But I'd like to keep this Chicago specific, doesn't have to be, but it might help out others. So if you left the area and remember some places, would be nice to reminisce a bit.

Trying to expand outside of your typical chain or grocery store that basically uses frozen crusts and canned filling.

do you have a TL;DR for your TL;DR?

 

[Crystallas]

Fasano's in Bedford Park Crys? I never heard of them. Shame on me living four lousy blocks from Bedford Park (Bridgeview). How did you eat there if they were closed for almost your entire lifetime?

It was walking distance to all those 65th street bakeries/warehouses for us. I didn't even know Fasano's closed because they were such a huge bakery, but we would get pies from there every so often. There and Weber's(which IMO is pretty much garbage now and has been for a long time). One day when I'm in a pie mood, I'm going to check out the new location. See if it's more than just sharing the name. But TBH, I don't fully remember how the old one tasted.

There was this other place in Bedfork Park that made wafer cookies. We would buy those in bulk before they closed. And another that sold candy vitamins. Like the Cherry chewy throat lozenges and the vitamin C things. Maybe other stuff too, but I was a kid, so that's what we would get. You're only a couple years older than me brett.


Le Petite is one we also went to in that area. But once the whole front display was filled wall to wall with ants, so we stopped. But that was sometime in the early 80s. On Pulaski, there were a few bakeries too that we used to frequent. That area went from Irish, to Polish, to Mexican in a matter of a few decades. And the places I remember were old family businesses, but if the whole neighborhood died off and changed a few times over, it's pretty unreasonable to find that information now, or even gain much benefit after finding it.

 

[brett05]

It was walking distance to all those 65th street bakeries/warehouses for us. I didn't even know Fasano's closed because they were such a huge bakery, but we would get pies from there every so often. There and Weber's(which IMO is pretty much garbage now and has been for a long time). One day when I'm in a pie mood, I'm going to check out the new location. See if it's more than just sharing the name. But TBH, I don't fully remember how the old one tasted.

There was this other place in Bedfork Park that made wafer cookies. We would buy those in bulk before they closed. And another that sold candy vitamins. Like the Cherry chewy throat lozenges and the vitamin C things. Maybe other stuff too, but I was a kid, so that's what we would get. You're only a couple years older than me brett.


Le Petite is one we also went to in that area. But once the whole front display was filled wall to wall with ants, so we stopped. But that was sometime in the early 80s. On Pulaski, there were a few bakeries too that we used to frequent. That area went from Irish, to Polish, to Mexican in a matter of a few decades. And the places I remember were old family businesses, but if the whole neighborhood died off and changed a few times over, it's pretty unreasonable to find that information now, or even gain much benefit after finding it.

We'd disagree on Weber's. I am open to a better chocolate cake donut. None have I come across. Their Rye Breads are very solid and I love their strawberry tortes. Again, open for better, but man, I got folks that raved about Thompson's on the North Side which is outstanding and they always waited for my Dad or I to have a birthday to bring treats from Weber's.

I think the article might be wrong since it would have not been opened again until 2011 and they claim that was the first time in 50 years.

I agree with the family Bakeries. I barely remembered Tuzik's and it's not I think a cell phone repair shop and the store moved to 95th street. Did the kids keep the recipes? Someday I might find out.

If you do find out that Fasno's Bakery is still producing top pies, let us know. I am by that way often (of sorts) with family living off of 79th street in Bridgeview and Burbank.

 

[Crystallas]

Not 50 years, for damn sure. I think you mis-read.

I even have an old pie pan from one of my childhood birthdays. I'm 100% sure I was not only alive, but remember. Why it was kept, no idea... but it's cool to have. Pretty much what drove me to research all the local pie places that used to exist. But the pie popularity era just disappeared quietly after some 50 years among the height of family dinners and deserts.

I know people love Weber's. I don't think they are bad, just severely over-rated. But then again, my family and I mostly bake everything on our own. I can understand how now, when so many shit bakeries use the 90% sugar sheet icing on their cakes, even a place like Weber's that has been steadily decreasing the ingredient quality can still seem good. From what I understand the top bakers from Webers left and opened shop in Tinley Park. Maybe Zettlmeiers? I don't remember the name.

 

[brett05]

Not 50 years, for damn sure. I think you mis-read.

I even have an old pie pan from one of my childhood birthdays. I'm 100% sure I was not only alive, but remember. Why it was kept, no idea... but it's cool to have. Pretty much what drove me to research all the local pie places that used to exist. But the pie popularity era just disappeared quietly after some 50 years among the height of family dinners and deserts.

I know people love Weber's. I don't think they are bad, just severely over-rated. But then again, my family and I mostly bake everything on our own. I can understand how now, when so many shit bakeries use the 90% sugar sheet icing on their cakes, even a place like Weber's that has been steadily decreasing the ingredient quality can still seem good. From what I understand the top bakers from Webers left and opened shop in Tinley Park. Maybe Zettlmeiers? I don't remember the name.

We agree 100% on the sugar frosting. It's one step away from just eating the bag of sugar direct.

You get the name, I'll try them out, but we've been customers of Wber's for over 45 years and it's the same to me. I'd love for a place to dethrone them. Just never found one.

I love that you have that pie tin. That brings back great memories for me of Poppin Fresh, but again like you said when pie was king, not cake.

 

[Adipost]

Elegant Farmer Pies baked in a paper bag from Door County. They sell them at a handful of various stores around the Chicagoland area, and they are fucking delicious.

 

[Burque]

I know this is supposed to be Chicago local, but if you are ever in New Mexico you can go get pie in Pie Town....


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pie_Town,_New_Mexico

http://www.pieoneer.com/

 

[Ares]

I know this is supposed to be Chicago local, but if you are ever in New Mexico you can go get pie in Pie Town....


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pie_Town,_New_Mexico

http://www.pieoneer.com/

I tried discussing non-local pie and was shunned.... our kind are not wanted round these parts.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

 

[Tater]

I tried discussing non-local pie and was shunned.... our kind are not wanted round these parts.

Go away, ya feriner.

 

[brett05]

I miss blueberry

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

I miss blueberry

Cherry for me, any fruit is good though. My Grandmother made a rhubarb pie....ooooooh so good.

 

[brett05]

I am ok with the Walmart 50 cent special that they sell in the produce aisle.

 

[clonetrooper264]

Elegant Farmer Pies baked in a paper bag from Door County. They sell them at a handful of various stores around the Chicagoland area, and they are fucking delicious.

Can confirm, these pies are delicious