8 sweet spots to nab a slice on National Pie Day
National Pie Day is Monday, Jan. 23, but we are year-round fans of Sacramento’s plentiful and diverse variations on the classic baked dessert. Here are eight great places in town to celebrate the sweet occasion.
An Honest Pie
It’s no secret we’re fans of this Grass Valley-based pie-mobile, whose decadent buttermilk pie—boasting a warm, sweet interior that tastes like crème brûlée, with a gooeyness reminiscent of pecan pie filling—recently made an appearance as our Craving of the Week. The food truck makes regular stops throughout the region, and recently expanded its operation with a permanent pie shop housed in a remodeled vintage travel trailer parked at Auburn’s Home Depot, making its hand pies, which are also fashioned in flavors like apple, coconut cream and savory chicken, available every day of the week. 530-990-1303. anhonestpie.com
Ettore’s European Bakery & Restaurant
After many guest requests and some recipe deliberation, this popular Arden-Arcade eatery now offers pies in both nine-inch and mini four-inch rounds. Owner and head chef Ettore Ravazzolo says his pastry team worked together to come up with five delectable flavors: coconut cream, blueberry, banana cream, cherry and lemon meringue. No matter which one you choose, the butter crust is light and flaky under your fork and is often decorated with delicate cutouts of hearts and leaves. 2376 Fair Oaks Blvd. 482-0708. ettores.com
Frank Fat’s
If you’re seeking some of Sacramento’s most famous desserts, look no further than the cream pies at this long-standing local Chinese restaurant chain. At Frank Fat’s, the pies come in two flavors: banana and chocolate, but the banana cream, which is now available at all four Fat’s locations, persists as a local favorite, its towering whipped cream topping resting gently on mounds of sliced fruit and a sturdy crust made with butter and margarine. Frank Fat himself, along with chef Bob How, developed the recipe over 75 years ago, and we’re thankful these pies aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. 806 L St. 442-7092. fatsrestaurants.com
Freeport Bakery
Ever tried to eat five pounds of apples? That’s exactly how many are loaded into one of this Land Park bakery’s deep-dish apple pies. The popular year-round pastry is packed with fresh slices of fruit from Boa Vista Orchards in Apple Hill and covered with a luscious handmade dough. But if something lighter strikes your fancy (and you’re not ordering one of Freeport’s Ken doll cakes of viral photo fame for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day), you can try a few hand pies, which are filled with your choice of cherry, berry or apple filling and coated with a thin layer of marzipan—perfect for sharing. 2966 Freeport Blvd. 442-4256. freeportbakery.com
Ikedas
This bakery, restaurant and produce market offers a daily selection of about 15 pies, all of which are made by hand and based on the same recipes that have been used since the Auburn establishment was founded in 1970. If your palate is craving something savory, don’t miss the chicken pot pies. Made from scratch, the pies began as an after-thought, cooked with the bakery’s leftover dough, but their popularity has kept them on the menu year-round, seven days a week. If the foothills are too far a trek, head to Ikedas’ outpost in Davis: freshly baked pies are delivered there daily from the flagship Auburn bakery. Or take advantage of Ikeda’s online shipping—Netflix and pie anyone? Auburn: 13500 Lincoln Way. 530-885-4243. Davis: 26295 Mace Blvd. 530-750-3379. ikedas.com
Karen’s Bakery & Cafe
A regular pit stop for cyclists, tourists and brunch-goers alike, jovial owner Karen Holmes’ historic Folsom bakery makes its pies fresh every morning and will be serving them up whole or by the slice all day. The menu includes a wintry apple-pear pie topped with hazelnut streusel, or an orange-pecan pie with a kick of bourbon to complement its sweetness. Karen’s also makes mini mason jar pies that come in five different flavors and have recently become a popular dessert favor for local weddings. 705 Gold Lake Dr. Folsom. 985-2665. karensbakery.com
Rick’s Dessert Diner
If you’re celebrating National Pie Day with your squad, you can’t go wrong with a trip to this midtown dessert mecca, where there’s something for every palate and preference. Rick’s has a repertoire of over 60 pies, with a rotating variety of around eight available daily, like strawberry rhubarb, creamy chocolate peanut butter, sweet potato pecan and white chocolate fudge. Popular winter choices include old-fashioned apple variations, like apple-raspberry and apple-cranberry walnut. And good news for night owls: Rick's is open until midnight on weeknights and 1 a.m. on weekends. 2401 J St. 444-0969. ricksdessertdiner.com
Sweetie Pie’s
This bakery and restaurant in Placerville, found inside a Victorian house that dates back to 1865, offers seasonal and year-round pies to feed weary travelers who stop along Highway 50. Sweetie Pie’s bakes four varieties of fresh pies daily and specializes in fresh olallieberry pies—with selections like olallieberry crumb and sour cream apple olallieberry—plus other enticing options like chocolate and banana cream. Bonus: you can call a day or two ahead to request your favorite for pick-up. 577 Main St. Placerville. 530-642-0128. sweetiepies.biz
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