Much like people proclaim they’re “cat people” or “dog people,” a long-standing debate exists between “cake people” and “pie people.” Yet as the holiday season gets into full swing in the coming weeks, it’s nearly impossible not to become a pie person, even if only temporarily.
If you feel like you’re seeing more pies on restaurant menus and piling up on grocery store shelves this time of year, it’s no coincidence. Thanksgiving and Christmas account for around 87% of pie consumption for the entire year, according to recent data.
So, whether you’re looking for a quick fix with a flaky-crusted apple pie by the slice or want to build an entire dinner menu around the coconut cream pie you’re serving for dessert, here’s a baker’s dozen of the best bakeries, restaurants, cafés, and cottage bakeries serving up the tastiest pies around Dallas-Fort Worth.
KEESH
If you live in 75206, 75214, 75218, 75223, 75231, 75228, or 75238 (or have a friend living in one of those zip codes who’ll receive a package for you), you can have some incredible baked treats delivered right to your doorstep. Owner Keith Cedotel taps into his French and Mexican heritage, plus years of pastry experience at some of Dallas’s top restaurants to create weekly deliveries of sweets and savories from his commercial kitchen. On the pie front, discover options including East-Side Pumpkin Pie, White Rock Apple Pie, and Pumpkin Cheesecake with Mexican Chocolate Graham Crust. keeshbakery.com
Celebration
Started in 1971, Celebration was farm-to-table before farm-to-table was even a buzzword. Known for its rotating daily menu with scratch-made favorites such as fried chicken, grilled pork chops, and turkey and dressing, plus loads of side-dish choices, its desserts earn substantial praise among those who still have room left after lunch or dinner. Order whole pies for the upcoming holidays with choices including pumpkin-pecan, apple, and chocolate cream. 4503 W. Lovers Ln., Dallas, celebrationrestaurant.com
Ravelin Bakery
For almost 25 years, this Denton bakery has been making every single item from scratch and with a whole lot of love. Take your chances by stopping by to see what’s left in the case, or guarantee you get the pie you want by pre-ordering your favorite flavors. Classics include apple, cherry, chocolate-pecan, key lime, and pumpkin. 416 S. Elm St., Denton
Emporium Pies
If you had to choose only one pie to eat for the rest of your life, the Smooth Operator should be a top contender. Featuring French silk chocolate filling and a crunchy salted pretzel crust, it’s the ultimate sweet-and-salty treat that can change any ordinary day into a celebration. Get this and seasonal hits, such as the Drop Dead Gourdgeous (spiced pumpkin with gingerbread crust) and the Buttercream Gang (traditional buttermilk pie), in person at one of the four area bakeries or order for pickup, delivery, or nationwide shipping to friends and family. Multiple locations, emporiumpies.com
Uncle Willie’s Pies
Uncle Willie makes it easy for the decision-challenged. In addition to the baking company’s full-size pies such as red velvet or Dutch caramel apple, you can order a dozen mini pies. Mix and match from nine flavors, including pecan, lemon chess, key lime, sweet potato, and cherry. Imagine a holiday gathering where everyone gets their favorite flavor and doesn’t even have to share. 208 N. Hampton Rd., Ste. C, DeSoto, unclewilliespies.com
Sweet Lucy’s Pies
With a focus on seasonality, Sweet Lucy’s Pies always seeks out the freshest ingredients from Texas growers and producers, including flour milled right here in the Lone Star State. It’s a bakery known for ultra-flaky crusts. Current seasonal pies include Lemon Cranberry Cream, Pumpkin Icebox Pie, and TX Whiskey Pecan Pie (made with TX Whiskey, also based in Fort Worth). They also have savories, such as pizza-filled pies, homemade Pop Tarts, and Pie Caken (half cake, half pie) for those who truly can’t decide if they’re cake or pie people. 3520 Bluebonnet Cir., Fort Worth, sweetlucyspies.com
JudyPie
Grapevine has no shortage of charming restaurants, bars, and bakeries, but when it comes to desserts, JudyPie always delivers. (And offers delivery, too.) That means you soon could be digging your fork into a Rhoda’s Chocolate Pecan Pie, a Banana Pudding Pie, or a Memphis Mafia Pie, made with a graham cracker crust, layers of chocolate ganache, peanut butter, banana, peanuts, Reese’s Pieces, chocolate, caramel, whipped cream, and, wait for it—bacon. Some full-pie orders require three days’ notice; others only one. 520 S. Main St. #200, Grapevine, judypie.com
Norma’s Café
Known equally for its hearty breakfasts, chicken fried steak, and (spoiler alert) pies, this beloved local diner chain makes it easy to get a decadent dessert on your dinner table. Order ahead and make room in the fridge for Mile High Chocolate Peanut Butter Meringue Pie, Mile High Pumpkin Meringue Pie, or even a non-pie Blackberry Cobbler. Best of all, Norma’s pies start at less than $20 for a whole pie. Multiple locations, normascafe.com
Piefalootin
The selection of pies available in the bakery changes daily, but you’re always guaranteed something top-notch and quite possibly unexpected. Drawing from a stable of more than 65 recipes, ranging from classic (Banana Cream, Texas Pecan, and Pumpkin) to wildly original (Pineapple Up Pie Down, Cherry Jalapeño, and Orange You Happy It’s Not Key Lime), the bakers here love to get creative. Call or email to order any flavor as a whole pie with 48 hours’ advance notice, and if you return the glass pie plate, you’ll get a slice for half price. Reduce, reuse, rejoice! 2441 Goldfinch Ln., Garland, piefalootin.com
MeLisa the Pie Lady
You must have patience to enjoy the indulgent creations of MeLisa the Pie Lady if you crave a specific filling because all orders must be placed 24 hours in advance. But, they’re worth the wait. Cherry, chess, blueberry, banana cream, key lime, Oreo, pecan, and pumpkin-cream cheese are among a long list of choices, many of which also come in gluten-free and mini-pie variations. If you like to gamble, you can also pop in to the bakery to see what options they have available that day in the cold case. 3805 Main St. #107, The Colony, melisathepielady.com
Humble: Simply Good Pies
This East Dallas pie shop, near the Dallas Arboretum and White Rock Lake, offers the rare treat of savory pies, including chicken pot pie, ham and cheddar quiche, and Louisiana meat pies alongside their sugary siblings. Sweet pies, including Damned Fine Cherry, Blossom’s Coconut Joy, and Bourbon Chocolate Pecan, also come in mini pie sizes, so you can have a personal treat without sacrificing a bit of flaky crust. 9014 Garland Rd., Dallas, humble-pies.com
Lubellas Patisserie
What started in 2022 as a small pastry shop with a bakery case and a handful of tables has grown into a full-service café with table service, a full brunch and lunch menu, and a robust coffee program. Order whole pies, including apple-cranberry, pecan, pumpkin, and chocolate pot de crème, or if you’re in the bakery, choose from a small selection of personal-size tarts. 10323 Ferguson Rd., Dallas, lubellaspatisserie.com
Hive Bakery
Though owner Haley Popp and her team of bakers specialize in elaborate cake creations, everything they craft at this Flower Mound bakery exceeds expectations. Pastry options change daily, but they do regularly feature pies, including key lime, apple, and a variety of super crispy hand pies. Pre-order for Thanksgiving and choose from eight options, including Bourbon Pecan Chocolate Chip, Blueberry Crumble, and Reese’s Cream. 360 Parker Sq., Flower Mound, hivebakerytx.com
