Who's got the best pie in Chicago?

Who has opinions on where the best pie in Chicago can be found? The only limitation is that it has to be a dessert pie. Fruit, cream, chocolate, custard, double crust, single crust etc... all suggestions are welcome.

I haven't eaten much pie in Chicago but I loved the key lime pie at Hugo's Frog bar which was more like a lemon meringue pie with key lime filling under the meringue (instead of lemon) than a traditional key lime pie, but it was amazing.

Hikari

Not a big desert eater but I like the Key Lime Pie and the Pear Cheesecake at Bob Chinn's.

I actually have to second the Key Lime pie recommendation at Bob Chinn's. This is one of my favorite desserts so I order around.

Bob's version is a pale green which suggests they use actual key limes (especially given their emphasis on flying everything in) and is just the right balance between sweet and tart (emphasizing the tart).

Served with a full-figured dollop of whipped cream which is rich and offsets the tartness - if you're into that sort of thing.

Me? I scrape it right off and dive into my own little trip to the Keys.

Plus, they make it there at the restaurant instead of getting it from some outside source.

The Key Lime was fairly decent at Pappadeux's (in San Antonio, TX). I haven't tried it at the Schaumburg location, but I'd surmise that it's the same stuff.

Joe's Steak Seafood and Stone Crab has good pies. Their key lime isn't the best I've had (not tart enough and generally too bland), but everything else on the pie menu was pretty darn good. We had banana cream, chocolate, coconut cream, and apple.

Unlike another poster here, I don't care if a pie is made offsite and sold at the restaurant/venue. All that matters is the taste and how it goes with a cup of coffee...

Speaking of which, I discovered a wonderful gem(s) of pie at Metropolis in Edgewater. They've got a really complex apple pie, a melt-in-your mouth peanut butter pie. There's a new (to me) lemon chess that's next on my list to try. I thought maybe they made them onsite but it turns out that they order them from a place called "Hoosier Mama." They take orders for full pies. I've avoided that temptation so far, but a new year's resolution only goes so far....

Shaw's decadently rich pecan pie is to die for! Of course, you have to save room in your stomach for dessert because it's huge too!

Hoosier Mama Pie Company also makes a very good maple pecan pie which I tried at Kitchen Chicago. You can also order whole pies from them - lots of options to chose from.


http://www.kitchenchicago.com/

As unlikely as it sounds, I had a gargantuan, tasty wedge of coconut cream pie at Shaw's last week. I was shocked by the quality. For the record, I would never order pie at a seafood place (it just doesn't seem right), but Arturo the bartender--a champ of a guy who does a spot-on job of recommending oysters, as well--sent the pie over to us at the end of a slow night.

Don't know who makes their pies (I seriously doubt they have an in-house pastry chef), but maybe they'll tell you if you ask real nice.

I know that this is, some distance from Chicago, but you have to try Crane's Pie Factory. It is located in Fennville, Michigan. A few miles south of Saugautuck, about five miles east of the Interstate.

Do not go there in May and expect to see Apple Pie, but go when the berries or apples are in season. A couple of years ago, I had a piece of blackberry pie, when I commented to the waiter how good it was, he said it should be, the berries had been picked no more than 4 hours before the pie was made.

Also a great place to go apple picking in the fall with the kids.

This pie place recommendation came from someone else on the board...haven't checked it out yet, and it's not exactly IN Chicago. Let us know if you give it a shot!

Toni Marie's
51 S Washington St
Hinsdale IL 60521
(630)789-2020

I'm surprised that there was no mention of Baker's Square Pies. It appears that they won several awards in 2005 from the American Pie Council...

http://www.bakerssquarerestaurants.com/ ... _pies.html

Kirschbaum's in downtown Western Springs has incredibly yummy fruit pies, and the low prices are about as old-fashioned as the bakery itself. For Thanksgiving, we have an apple crumb one with caramel topping. Warmed in the microwave, it was just perfect, with sticky caramel. I've had their fruit pies on a couple occassions, and I'm always awed at how inexpensive their wonderful pies are.

This is truly a sad state of affairs, where the only pie recommendation are for chains and places known only marginally for their pies/deserts. What about that place in Crystal Lake? Was it Round the Clock?

Around the Clock has very good pies ... I did not bring them up because they are 50 miles out of Chicago. Also, I don't really like to post on places where I am a regular ... as I am not a paid shill or something.

Their best pie is the caramel apple pie which is phenomenal. It is a really excellent pie that is pretty much unmatched.

I have been less satisfied with RTC recently as there has been almost a complete turnover of waitstaff in the last year ... and I feel at times like I am a trainer rather than a customer.

Since the Crystal Lake is booming and nearly all businesses are desparate for employees, most restaurants in McHenry Co. are turning over staff completely.

the following was in the most recent issue of TOC:

First Slice Pie Cafe
We'd like to say that we love this place because every time we buy a meal here, we're helping Chicago's hungry eat, too. But the truth is we come because chef Mary Ellen Diaz (who also founded the place) can cook her ass off. She whips up hot plates of butternut squash and spinach lasagna; hot bowls of Swedish pea soup that's thick with the flavors of ham and smoke; and her "dignity dog," a fantastic vegetarian sandwich with a tall pile of Muenster. Don't forget the endless supply of pies and cookies (we like the oatmeal-cranberry)—this time you really deserve it. In the Lillstreet Art Center, 4401 N Ravenswood Ave at Montrose Ave (773-769-4226). El: Brown to Montrose. Bus: 50, 78, 145. Lunch, dinner (closed Sun). Average main course: $6.

[/quote]

With just one Baker's Square left (edited to add: IN CHICAGO PROPER) in Norwood Park, I am wondering where one goes when they are dying for a slice of pie. I never was a pie lover, more of a cake fan, but I must admit since Baker's Square in Wilmette closed quietly in the middle of the night, and then Dempster Street quickly followed suit, I am a bit curious where one could get a decent slice. I mean, diners as we all know are a thing of the past, this seems to be a glut to me. But I know LTH will come through...
I do not want to make a pie. I do not want to buy a whole pie. Just once in a while, I would like a slice of pie.

Hoosier Mama’s
749 N. Chicago Avenue
Evanston IL
http://www.hoosiermamapie.com/evanston.html
and
1618 1/2 Chicago Avenue
Chicago IL
Both offer lots of choices and daily/seasonal specials

Hoosier Mama in Evanston. Better than Baker's Square ever was.

Spinning J! Bang Bang Pie!

Chicago is awash in pie, from mega menu Omega in Niles to Kappy's in Morton Grove to Golden Nugget to pricey Key Lime at Joe's Stone Crab to Golden Nugget commissary pie to delectable pie at Hoosier Mama or Bang Bang Pie. Lots of pie.

Eater, Timeout, Zagat, Urbanmatter, ye*p, foursquare all have pie roundups, google "best pie chicago" South side bean pies (The Supreme Bean) & sweet potato (Jimmy Jamm) Lots of people swear by Spinning J, First Slice, Baker Miller, Floriole

My current pies of choice are Bang Bang and Hoosier Mama, I find myself at the Evanston Hoosier Mama/Dollop Coffee once every three or four weeks.

Pie, count me a Fan!

Spilt Milk
103 S. Oak Park Avenue
Oak Park IL

Spilt Milk Market
1844 S Blue Island Avenue
Chicago IL

And there is still a Baker's Square on Milwaukee in Libertyville.

G Wiv wrote:Chicago is awash in pie, from mega menu Omega in Niles to Kappy's in Morton Grove to Golden Nugget to pricey Key Lime at Joe's Stone Crab to Golden Nugget commissary pie to delectable pie at Hoosier Mama or Bang Bang Pie. Lots of pie.

I remember when pie, good pie, was rare. If you wanted good pie, you made it yourself. Wasn't it Hoosier Mama who really started the trend from serviceable to great pie.

Regards,
Cathy2

Spilt Milk
103 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park

Chicago Magazine named Oak Park's own Spilt Milk, 103 S. Oak Park Ave., as the city's best pie in their August 2019 "Best of Chicago" feature. The magazine called out Spilt Milk's, blueberry-rhubarb pie in particular, writing, "Topped with streusel-like crumble, this is summer in a pie pan."

https://mobile.oakpark.com/Community/Bl ... best-pie'/

Cathy2 wrote:

G Wiv wrote:Chicago is awash in pie, from mega menu Omega in Niles to Kappy's in Morton Grove to Golden Nugget to pricey Key Lime at Joe's Stone Crab to Golden Nugget commissary pie to delectable pie at Hoosier Mama or Bang Bang Pie. Lots of pie.

I remember when pie, good pie, was rare. If you wanted good pie, you made it yourself. Wasn't it Hoosier Mama who really started the trend from serviceable to great pie.

Regards,
Cathy2

I feel like you are correct with this. And they are a GNR and very nice folks so why not.

Of course, you may recall she got me baking pie and now that I have serviceable crust making skills I love it. I sitll need to get in the habit of having a few in the freezer ready to go, at least crust if not assembled fruit pies.

wesuilmo wrote:And there is still a Baker's Square on Milwaukee in Libertyville.

Yeah, what's this about only one Baker's Square left? According to their website, there are still Baker's Square restaurants open in Libertyville, Gurnee, Palatine, Chicago (Harlem Ave.), Melrose Park, La Grange, Woodridge Alsip, Naperville, and Orland Park.

Katie wrote:

wesuilmo wrote:And there is still a Baker's Square on Milwaukee in Libertyville.

Yeah, what's this about only one Baker's Square left? According to their website, there are still Baker's Square restaurants open in Libertyville, Gurnee, Palatine, Chicago (Harlem Ave.), Melrose Park, La Grange, Woodridge Alsip, Naperville, and Orland Park.

There used to be one at 3649 N Harlem Ave but it closed in the last month or two.

My error, I apologize. I certainly appreciate you correcting me for everyone's benefit. The fact all of those are a far distance to drive for a slice of pie is not anyone' s problem but mine. But thank you.