Thanksgiving is coming, and somebody in your family is about to say "I'll bring dessert" and then show up with a grocery store pie. That’s fine and all, but let me tell you about some scrumptious other options. I do sometimes make my pies at home, but I will never guarantee they’ll be pretty.
The shops
The most reliable Thanksgiving pie for a crowd: Southern Baked Pie Company, multiple locations. They have a whole Thanksgiving Pie Collection to choose from. I’m personally a Chocolate Chess Pie girl, but I’ll take a Caramel Pecan Pie or Buttermilk Pie if I need to choose something else.
The change-it-up option: Sweet Auburn Bread Company, downtown, 234 Auburn Ave. NE. You COULD order a delicious Sweet Potato Pie or a Buttermilk Lemon Chess Pie, OR you could become the favorite in the family and order the Sweet Potato Cheesecake.
The most flavors to choose from: Crave Pie Studio, Duluth. Their signature flavors are Chocolate Chess, Maple Pecan and Dutch Apple. Do you order one of the seasonally rotating flavors? Do you order the mini-pies? So many options, just make sure you order in advance.
The best build-your-own: Doodle Pies, Roswell, 1105 Woodstock Rd., Suite 140. Individual pies you can customize. You want to talk about a pie you don’t have to make, yet you still get to customize it however you want? Consider that these are individual size, but I would personally split it into at least halves since I’m going to want to eat all the other pies. They have hot and cold and sweet and savory. Truly, what more could you want?
The closest to Woodstock (in it): Pie Bar, Woodstock and Marietta. Again, an excellent Chocolate Chess Pie, but you can’t go wrong with the Brown Sugar Chess or the Bourbon Pecan. Another place that offers savory pies alongside their sweets.
The most seasonal: The Pie Hole, 1025 Canton St., Roswell. Honestly, that Apple Pie piled high is what’s speaking to me the most. I still love a Chocolate Chess, but why not order both?!
These are my pies! These professional bakeries have more experience and will sell you something excellent.
Bakeries that bring out the pie for Thanksgiving
Some bakeries only do pies for the holidays, so you won't find these on a regular menu. Menus and deadlines change, so call or check the shop's site before you count on any of this.
The best pecan option that isn't a pie: Southern Sweets Bakery, Decatur. That Pecan Tart is calling my name! You can also get a classic Pumpkin from this shop. Peep the Vegan Key Lime for our friends who have specialty diets.
The prettiest pies: Little Tart Bakeshop, multiple locations. They usually open their ordering for pies the first week of November, so keep an eye out. These are very pretty and very tasty pies.
The other sweets (and some pies): Henri’s Bakery & Deli, multiple locations. Henri’s will usually post a holiday menu, which in past years has included themed cakes, cookie cakes, petit fours, and a handful of classic pie flavors. Don’t skip on the Parkerhouse rolls. We can all use more bread, right?
Now that we’re past Halloween you can focus on the later holidays…get those pie orders in!
