For Thanksgiving, you could make your own pies, but to save time (or save face, if your crust game is lacking), leave it to the pros. Whether you're looking for the perfect dessert for a get-together or craving something hot and hearty, we’ve got you covered. Pro tip: If you need a whole pie, call ahead to check availability and pre-order to get it before the holiday rush.
*Asterisks indicate where whole pies are available
SWEET + SAVORY
Sweetie-licious*
This award-winning pie maker offers many rotating sweet and savory selections in the Downtown Market. (Sweet pies: $4.50/slice, $10.99/Cutie Pie, $24.99/whole pie. Quiche: $6.50/slice, $24.99/whole.)
435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
(616) 259-7005, sweetie-licious.com (online store temporarily unavailable)
Grand Traverse Pie Co.*
Chef Mario Batali says “I don’t think I’ve ever had as good a pie as Grand Traverse Pie Company’s Cherry Crumb Pie… It’s a religious experience.” Sounds like a solid recommendation to us! In addition to a wide selection of sweet pies, savory options include quiche, pot pies and pasties. Available in stores or shipped via phone/web orders (quiche available in stores only).
3224 28th St. SE , Kentwood (plus locations in Portage and Norton Shores)
(616) 977-7600, gtpie.com
Nantucket Baking Company*
The counterpart to Martha’s Vineyard and Lion Street Café always has fruit pies and cheesecakes in stock as well as seasonal options (currently including pumpkin and pecan). Nantucket also offers quiche (single serving quiche is always available, but order ahead for a full-size quiche).
615 Lyon St. NE, Grand Rapids
(616) 350-9292, nantucketbakingco.com
Sugar Momma’s Bakery & Café*
Sugar Momma’s creates a variety of sweet pies and cheesecakes, as well as quiche with a “build your own” option. (Sweet pies: $10.99-$16.99. Quiche: slice: $3.75, whole: $13.99.)
6504 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids
(616) 957-2122, sugarmommaspastries.com
Food Dance
Food Dance offers a daily deep-dish quiche with mixed greens and citrus vinaigrette ($11) and a seasonal sweet pie (filling changes with the season) in a flaky 5” pastry crust with vanilla ice cream ($10).
401 E. Michigan Ave. #100, Kalamazoo
(269) 382-1888,fooddance.net
SWEET
Crane’s Pie Pantry/Crane’s In the City*
Crane’s fruit pies are handmade from recipes passed down and perfected by Lue “Meme” Crane. Wash down the pie with Crane’s cider or wine, and top it off with Palazzolo’s French vanilla gelato. If you can’t decide on a flavor, try a pie flight!
6054 124th Ave. (M-89), Fennville
(269) 561-2297, cranespiepantry.com
Crane’s In the City: 11 E. 8th St., Holland
(616) 796.2489, cranesinthecity.com
HopCat
For November, HopCat’s dessert feature is a slice of scratch-made frozen spiced pumpkin pie with stout-glazed pecans and whipped cream.
25 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids and 300 E. Water St., Kalamazoo
(616) 451-4677 (GR), (269) 210-0075 (Kzoo), hopcat.com
Maisy’s Pie Company*
A very small family-run bakery, Maisy’s Pie Company makes truly special creations. Specialty items include caramel pecan pumpkin ($26), traditional pecan ($18) and pumpkin ($16). Order by phone or web.
(616) 889-0112, maisyspiecompany.com
Noco Provisions
Fresh for the fall menu, this new eatery will feature Dutch apple pie with local apples from Sietsema’s Orchard, served with vanilla bean ice cream. ($7 for a generous slice.)
4609 Cascade Road, Grand Rapids
(616) 747-0300, nocogr.com
Rykse’s Restaurant & Bakery*
A Kalamazoo favorite, Rykse’s makes dreamy, creamy pies including peanut butter, french silk, coconut cream, banana cream, strawberry cream and samoa.
5924 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo
(269) 372-3838, rykses.com
Grand Rapids Cheesecake Co.*
Believe it or not, there’s still some debate about whether cheesecake is technically a pie. Instead of arguing, we recommend simply eating the pie (or custard tart, if you insist) and being happy. Grand Rapids Cheesecake Company has every flavor you can imagine, made from local ingredients.
2255 Alpine Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
(616) 447-9045, grcheesecake.com
Rise*
If you have special dietary needs, Rise can help. All pies are gluten-free, vegan and soy-free. Flavors include dutch apple, pumpkin. blueberry and strawberry rhubarb (Rise also makes cheesecakes and tarts). Custom order by website or phone. ($40)
(616) 283-5226, risegrandrapids.com
SAVORY
Nonna’s The Trattoria
Nonna’s crafts a French-style quiche, served with choice of side salad or fresh fruit cup ($10.50, ingredients change daily).
584 Ada Dr. SE, Ada
(616) 920-7028, eatwithnonna.com
The Curragh
This Irish-themed pub serves a rustic Cottage Pie: chicken, peas, carrots and onions in herb sauce, topped with mashed potatoes and baked until golden brown. Bonus: seasonal vegetables and bread. ($14.99)
73 E. 8th St., Holland
(616) 393-6340, curraghholland.com
Matchbox Diner & Drinks
Matchbox offers a sizeable chicken pot pie, with chicken, carrots, peas and parsnips in a puff pastry, served in a skillet. ($10.99)
1345 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids
(616) 774-8641, matchboxdiner.com
Anna’s House
Love quiche but not the gluten? Anna’s House offers a quinoa-crusted sausage quiche — classic quiche baked on a crust of quinoa with caramelized onion and sage breakfast sausage, thyme, spinach and arugula. Topped with melted swiss, lemon arugula salad and feta. ($11.75)
Multiple locations
Bakewell Co.*
Bakewell Co. creates handmade quiche, pot pies and tarts in an array of delectable flavors, such as: sausage, cheddar and chive; goat cheese with spinach and roasted red pepper; and brandy cream chicken with bacon and shallots. Sounds delicious, no? Available in select markets during fall and winter, and online ordering is available.
2725 E. Milham Ave., Portage
(269) 459-8030, thebakewellco.wordpress.com, Facebook page
