Best Pie in Chicago: 7 Local Favorites

As the crowd-pleaser of desserts, you’d have trouble finding someone who doesn’t love pie- especially when it’s got a scoop of ice cream on top. Pie is celebrated around the country during Thanksgiving and in Chicago it’s treasured year-round. There are dozens of options in Chicago when it comes to getting delicious baked pies for the holidays, including a multitude of spots where you can stop in any time of year for a slice (or three). While there are many amazing shops that offer whole pies for the holidays or for pre-order, we wanted to provide a list of the best pie in Chicago that you can find year-round. If you’re a fan of enjoying fresh homemade pie any day of the year, then we think you’d enjoy each of these seven best places for a slice of homemade pie in Chicago.

7. Jimmy Jamm Sweet Potato Pies (PERMANENTLY CLOSED)

Anyone on the hunt for the best sweet potato pie in Chicago will unquestionably end up at Jimmy Jamm in the Beverly neighborhood. It is so tasty, we had to include it on our list of best pie in Chicago! This shop is tucked away among a string of businesses on a busy street on the south side, so it’s easy to miss if you’re just passing through, but it’s worth making the stop. Everything on their menu (even the ice cream) is made using sweet potatoes, but they are most well-known for their amazing silky smooth sweet potato pie. The labels and signs in the shop even “warn” you that the pie is so addictive that it may cause you to buy more. We love their classic sweet potato pie with its touch of sweetness, and their version of it topped with honey whipped cream cheese is a delicious pick when you’re looking for something a little extra indulgent. Another notable treat is the sweet potato cobbler (pie’s casual cousin) with its buttery crust layered in with sweet potato filling so good it may not have made it all the way home in one piece. Jimmy Jamm even has sweet potato cheesecake, and all of it is easy to take to-go since it’s already individually packaged by the slice. Don’t worry, they’ve got whole pies, too. This shop is closed on Sundays, so plan accordingly.

6. Baker Miller Bakery & Dinette

Baker Miller is what we picture when we think of a city neighborhood bakery. This friendly counter-service spot is located among the bustling Lincoln Square shops, with the train going by right overhead. It’s the kind of place where you can refill your own cup of coffee and help yourself to the homemade jams and butters to go with your meal. Dave and Megan Miller work closely with organic whole grain farmers to provide the flours used to whip up comfort food for brunch and lunch, and their incredible baked goods. Of course, this includes their flavorful rotation of seasonal pies, from pecan pie and fresh fruit pies to a perfectly smooth chocolate chess pie. It’s the perfect place for a quick brunch with a slice of pie to end the meal right, or to grab a slice to enjoy while perusing the neighborhood shops. Plan to get there earlier in the day since they close between 2:30 to 3:00pm daily.

5. First Slice Pie Cafe

First Slice is the place where you can always find a great slice of pie in all the traditional flavors such as pecan, key lime, and French silk. Their apple pie has been rated as being not just the best pie in Chicago, but in the country. Their Michigan sour cherry pie is the perfect balance of tart and sweet with its oozy cherry filling and soft sugar-dusted crust. The chocolate peanut butter pie is a customer favorite as well. Not only is their pie menu incredible and tasty, but First Slice also doubles as a charitable organization: the shop provides meals to those who are homeless or in need through their subscription program. The name First Slice comes from the practice of serving the first slice of pie to the restaurant staff as a symbol of community. There’s a few locations around Chicago, but we love the Andersonville location’s cozy tucked-away vibe and longer hours that make it easy for us to get some of the best pie in Chicago anytime.

4. Spinning J

Whether you’re visiting from out of town or just want to try something new, Spinning J is a special experience. Walking into this Humboldt Park bakery and soda fountain is like stepping in a time machine to an old-school soda shop, complete with spinning stools at the soda bar (that dates back to 1928) where you’ll find old-fashioned milkshake machines and a collection of vintage plates. They’ve always got an awesome selection of their homemade pies available like s’mores meringue or fresh blueberry pie. They are praised by many for their popular hibiscus key lime pie, and it truly is an outstanding pie. The texture is lighter and airier than a regular key lime pie and the hibiscus flavor mellows out the tartness. The sweet blueberries and fresh whipped cream on top add that little something extra that makes it just an incredible pie that even those who aren’t fans of typical key lime pie love. Order up a custom soda float or milkshake to go with your pie if you’re feeling extra indulgent.

3. Sweet Mandy B’s

This sweet Lincoln Park bakery is filled with colorful cookies, cakes, and incredible pie. They keep a good amount of both whole and ready-to-go slices of pie available in most of their flavors, so there’s plenty to choose from when you just want a quick treat to go. Their pie is usually more on the traditional side so you’ll find flavors like coconut cream and key lime pie here. The staff is friendly and helpful when you’re making your selection, and they might even have a little tray of free samples to try when you go in! We tried the apple streusel pie, and the spiced apple flavor was perfect with just the right amount of crunch from the streusel topping. The banana cream pie is one of their more popular pies, and it is heavenly. Light and not overly sweet with fresh banana slices, it’s easy to see why it’s a popular pick! This is definitely a place you want to stop if you’re in the mood for some of the best pie in Chicago.

2. Hoosier Mama Pie Company

When searching for the best pie in Chicago, Hoosier Mama does not disappoint. It’s a spacious and relaxed environment, with old classroom chairs at the many tables, a line of stools at the coffee bar, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The sounds of dozens of pies being baked daily creates a soothing hum of background noise (not to mention the incredible scent) perfect for getting studying done or having a casual date night. There’s even a kid-friendly area with tiny chairs and a low table for when you’re out with the whole family. Most importantly, Hoosier Mama makes pie that is comforting and familiar and oh so delicious. The crust is super flaky and every slice of pie is exceptionally fresh, thanks to their ingredients being from local family farms.

Hoosier Mama doubles as a coffee shop, but the pie is definitely the shining star. They always have around ten different kinds of pie you can choose from for either a slice or a whole pie. There’s always a good mix of classic flavors and more uncommon ones, like Mexican chocolate chess pie or passionfruit meringue pie. You can’t go wrong with any variation of the apple pie, like this pear apple cranberry pie. The crumble topping is perfection. As if their pies weren’t good enough already, you can put it over the top by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Not only is Hoosier Mama a place to find the best pie in Chicago, but you can also get incredible hand pies, quiche, and savory pies as well. We love the Evanston location’s huge selection of pies and longer hours, but you can also find Hoosier Mama in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village. Either way, we think you’ll agree that Hoosier Mama makes some of the best pie in Chicago.

1. Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits

Bang Bang Pie often shows up on many best-of lists and for good reason: their pie is hands-down amazing. No matter what flavor you go with, you are in love from the very first bite. When it comes to having the best pie in Chicago, Bang Bang Pie is a can’t-miss. They’ve always got a seasonal fruit pie on hand, with a gloriously buttery crust and amazing oat crumble on top, shown on this spiced blueberry apple pie with ginger. Their key lime pie is perfect for those who love a truly tart key lime pie with the thick graham crust and fresh whipped cream on top. Their other pies are on a seasonal rotation, but we’ve yet to meet a pie at Bang Bang that wasn’t exceptional. The chocolate pecan pie strikes the perfect balance of flavor between the sticky sweet pecan maple filling, the chewy graham crust, and the crunchy pecans and dark chocolate chunks on top. Be sure to snag it if you spot it in the rotation.