Feasting is one of the best parts about Thanksgiving, and dessert is every bit as important as dishes among your savory spread. In lieu of stressing over precious real estate in your oven on Thanksgiving Day, consider outsourcing a pie from one of Houston’s many acclaimed bakeries. From traditional favorites to innovative, gourmet creations, use this guide to find just the right pie this holiday season.
CLASSIC
Treebeards
Along with its famed layer cakes, Treebeards is offering up whole pies for the holiday season. The beloved southern restaurant is sticking to the classics, with varieties like pumpkin ($22), pecan ($29), and apple with crumb topping ($26) available for pick-up at all Treebeards locations. 9655 Katy Fwy. Ste. 3120, Houston, treebeards.com
Flying Saucer Pie Company
Open since 1967, Flying Saucer Pie Company is a Houston institution that has built its legacy upon fresh, homemade pies. It’s a Houston tradition to experience the line that snakes down Crosstimbers Street in the days before Thanksgiving, with many die hard pie-shoppers even camping out overnight. It’s well worth the wait for one of the shop’s coveted fruit or cream pies in varieties like pecan, Dutch apple, pumpkin, and fresh strawberry. ($20). 436 W. Crosstimbers St., Houston, flyingsaucerpieshop.com
Goode Co. BBQ
Goode Co.’s Brazos bottom pecan pie ($45) is synonymous with the holiday season. The dessert has garnered a broad fanbase well beyond Houston since its inception, and can be shipped nationwide on its own, or in a festive, custom-made wooden keepsake box ($60). Choose from the gooey concoction baked with Texas pecans from the banks of the Brazos River, or the equally tasty chocolate cream. Multiple locations, goodecompany.com
Three Brothers Bakery
If pecan pie is on your wishlist, head to this time-honored bakery where pecan pie is on offer alongside imaginative variations like chocolate fudge pecan, chocolate bourbon pecan, and salted caramel pecan ($30). And, if you’re feeling more adventurous, consider splurging on Three Brothers’ legendary pumpecapple piecake ($300), a towering one of a kind creation that stacks a pumpkin pie baked into a pumpkin spice cake, a pecan pie baked into a chocolate cake, and an apple pie baked into a spice cake for a show-stopping indulgence that clocks in at more than 23 pounds. 4606 Washington Ave., Houston, 3brothersbakery.com
Kenny & Ziggy’s
This iconic Houston deli is known for its well-stocked bakery and ample dessert offerings. Along with sky high layer cakes, find an array of 11-inch pies ($44) in classic flavors like coconut cream, pecan, pumpkin, and apple. For a dessert that will truly wow, consider the mile-high key lime pie ($55), which is three inches thick. 1743 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, kennyandziggys.com
GOURMET
Nobie’s
While Nobie’s gets plenty of attention for its food, wine, and moody ambience, the Montrose restaurant is also known as one of the best pie destinations in town. Whole pies and cakes can be ordered year-round, with special seasonal offerings during the holidays. This year, the pie menu features decadences like pumpkin cheesecake pie ($65) with pumpkin cheesecake filling and vanilla bean whipped cream in a gingersnap crust; black bottom French silk pie ($65) with a chocolate bottom and chocolate mousse; and pecan pie ($65) with bourbon and brown butter in a butter crust. 2048 Colquitt St., Houston, nobieshtx.com
Backstreet Cafe
During the festive season, Backstreet Cafe offers chef Hugo’s creative takes on traditional holiday offerings, including desserts. Find a number of 9-inch pies, including pumpkin pie with meringue topping ($34), pumpkin cheesecake ($34), and chocolate pecan pie ($38). As an alternative to pie, Backstreet also features an apple crisp ($38). 1103 S. Shepherd Dr., Houston, backstreetcafe.net
Dessert Gallery
You’ll find a cornucopia of pies at Dessert Gallery’s Upper Kirby and the Woodlands locations. While there are plenty of traditional options, like rustic pumpkin ($40) and double crust apple ($45), Dessert Gallery really shines when it comes to some of its more elaborate creations. The s’mores pie ($40) layers ganache filling and toasted marshmallowy meringue atop a graham cracker crust, creating a campfire-inspired holiday treat. Gifting a pie? Dessert Gallery offers a thoughtfully prepared pie gift box, available for shipping nationally. 3600 Kirby Dr. # D, Houston, dessertgallery.com
Fluff Bake Bar
Celebrated pastry chef Rebecca Masson draws in dessert lovers year-round with her cookies, cakes, and pastries, and she goes the extra mile during the holiday season. Masson’s pumpkin cream pie ($48) is a gourmet take on the classic, built with caramelized white chocolate pumpkin cream and fresh whipped cream atop a ginger molasses graham cracker crust. But, for an even funkier alternative, spring for the couch potato pie, a sweet and savory dessert of epic proportions. The pie layers cornflake caramelized white chocolate ganache with milk chocolate and pretzel ball crémeux on a potato chip and pretzel crust, and is topped with toasted meringue and chocolate-covered shoestring potatoes ($48). 1701 W. 15th St., Houston, fluffbakebar.com
Common Bond
With locations peppered across the city and suburbs, snagging a pie from Common Bond Bistro & Bakery is among Houston’s most convenient options. Like its popular case cakes, the bakery receives plenty of fanfare for its seasonal pies. Nine-inch pies include the traditional pumpkin pie ($25), with a hint of molasses; the soul-warming spiced apple pie ($25) with cinnamon streusel topping; and the bourbon pecan ($30), with a touch of bourbon whiskey. Multiple locations, commonbondcafe.com
