No matter how delicious the turkey and fixings are, Thanksgiving diners always find some restraint to save a bit of room for dessert. Pumpkin, sweet potato, pecan and apple pie might be the most traditional way to finish the meal, but everyone has a favorite slice, which means it’s nice to have a few to choose from.
If you’re in charge of satisfying sweet tooths, you don’t have to stress out about baking. These area restaurants and bakeries are selling Thanksgiving pies that will provide the perfect end to your meal, whether you’re sticking to the classics, looking to dazzle with something novel or catering to diners with dietary restrictions. Make sure to plan ahead and place your order in advance to get the best selection.
The Loop and Near North Side
The Dearborn
Choose from a French silk pie with dark chocolate custard and mascarpone chantilly or a Dutch apple pie with graham cracker streusel for $35. Pick up your order by Nov. 22. 145 N. Dearborn St., 312-384-1242, thedearborntavern.com
Joe’s
The restaurant’s signature pies are all available to go for $50, with options including Key lime, sweet potato pecan, coconut cream and chocolate fudge. Place an order by Nov. 17 for pickup Nov. 21-22. 60 E. Grand Ave., 312-379-5637, joes.net/chicago
North Side & Northwest Side
Bang Bang Pie Shop
Cranberries aren’t just for sauce at this Logan Square bakery, which offers a cranberry swirl cheesecake with graham cracker crust ($36). More traditional options include pumpkin ($36) and apple ($39) pies, and you can cater to gluten-free guests with an apple crisp that comes with a cast-iron skillet ($56). Orders can be picked up Nov. 21-22. 2051 N. California Ave., 773-276-8888, bangbangpieshop.com
Defloured
The gluten-free bakery offers pecan, apple and pumpkin pies, with vegan options for apple and pumpkin ($35-$43). Orders must be placed by Nov. 16. 1477 W. Balmoral Ave., 773-234-5733, deflouredbakery.com
Floriole
Try twists on the classics with a pumpkin pie sweetened with brandied honey caramel and topped with vanilla bean creme fraiche, toasted pepitas and crunchy chocolate pearls, and apple pie topped with a toasty barley crumble. Both are available in portions for two ($19) or six to eight ($42-$44). Orders must be placed by Nov. 19 for pickup Nov. 21-22. 1220 W. Webster Ave., 773-883-1313, floriole.com
Honeypie
Feed eight to 12 people with seven varieties of 11-inch pies, including apple crumble ($39), pumpkin ($41) and whiskey-walnut pecan ($50). Orders can be picked up from Nov. 19-26. 6155 N. Broadway, 773-754-7429, honeypiechicago.com
West Side & Near West Side
Aya Pastry
Choose from spiced pumpkin pie ($32), apple pie topped with brown sugar crumble ($32) or chocolate-bourbon-pecan pie ($37) or get all three for $95. Add on a 12-ounce mason jar of vanilla bean whipped cream for $9.50. Orders must be placed by noon Nov. 14 for pickup Nov. 17-22. 1332 W. Grand Ave., 312-846-6186, ayapastry.com
Kasama
The Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant and bakery offers a pumpkin pie, lemon-pecan pie and their popular ube and huckleberry basque cake. Orders can be picked up Nov. 22. 1001 N. Winchester Ave., 773-697-3790, exploretock.com/kasama
Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain
Go bold with cranberry-yuzu meringue ($48) or guava cheesecake ($38) or keep it traditional with pumpkin ($40) or chocolate-bourbon-pecan pie ($45). If you’re also handling Thanksgiving sides, add on housemade sourdough stuffing ($28) or a half dozen buttermilk biscuits ($24). Orders can be picked up Nov. 21-23. 1000 N. California Ave., 872-829-2793, spinningj.com/thanksgiving
South Side & Near South Side
Emeche Cakery & Cafe
Pick up a sweet potato, Key lime, caramel apple or pecan pie Nov. 21-22 ($25-$30). You can also opt for caramel, bourbon-pecan, lemon or sour cream pound cake ($50). 3453 S. Prairie Ave., emechecakeryandcafe.com
Suburban, Multiple Locations or Delivery Only
Beatrix
The restaurant’s five locations are offering their signature Oh My! Caramel Pie ($40) along with pumpkin-pecan pie ($40) and traditional pumpkin pie ($35), all of which come with a side of vanilla bean whipped cream. Order by Nov. 20 for pickup or delivery on Nov. 22. Multiple locations, beatrixrestaurants.com
Bennison’s Bakery
Bennison’s has been making its pumpkin pie ($18) the same way since it opened in 1938. Try the classic recipe or one of their many other options such as lemon meringue, pecan, sweet potato or French silk ($18-$28). They also offer adorable mini cakes that resemble either live or roasted turkeys. 1000 Davis St., Evanston, 847-328-9434, bennisonscakes.com
Buck Russell’s Bakery & Sandwich Shop
Buck Russell’s offers treats for everyone, selling dog-friendly mini puppy pies in addition to pumpkin, Dutch apple, blueberry and bourbon-pecan pies that serve eight to 10 humans. Add on salted caramel sauce or vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. Place an order by Nov. 18 to pick up Nov. 21-22. Desserts can also be picked up at sibling spots DeNucci’s and Sophia Steak. 1137 Greenleaf Ave., Wilmette, 847-920-4222, buckrussells.com
Classic Cobbler
Besides pecan, sweet potato and apple pie, the bakery also serves up lemon cream, old-fashioned egg custard and brownie walnut pies ($18-$30). Place an order by Nov. 12 to get your dessert delivered Nov. 22-23. 888-769-4627, classiccobbler.net
First Slice Pie Cafe
Choose a small pie that serves three to five ($22-$27) or a large one for 10-12 ($29-$37), with flavors including balsamic-raspberry-pear, pecan and sweet potato praline. The bakery also offers a gluten-free polka dot pie for $30. Orders can be picked up Nov. 20-22. Multiple locations, firstslice.org/thanksgiving-orders
Goddess and the Baker
Show off with a festively decorated 9-inch apple, pumpkin, chocolate-pecan or French silk pie with malted chocolate mousse and Oreo crust ($23-$32). Multiple locations, goddessandthebaker.com
Hewn
Pick up a pecan pie made with FEW bourbon and a cornmeal crust ($40) or a cranberry-apple pie ($35). You can also get a $15 frozen pie crust if you want to try baking at home. Orders must be placed by 8 p.m. Nov. 16 for pickup Nov. 21-22. 1733 Central St., Evanston, 847-869-4396 and 348 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, 224-536-1816; hewnbread.com
Lost Larson
Both the Wicker Park and Andersonville locations offer an apple pie with a bit of cheddar in the crust, a pecan tart with a chocolate-almond crust, a galette with red-wine poached pears and candied pistachio, and a pumpkin pie topped with housemade vanilla cream and pepita pralines ($54 each). Add on take-and-bake cinnamon rolls ($24) to get a decadent start to your feast day. Orders can be picked up Nov. 22-23. 5318 N. Clark St., 773-944-0587 and 2140 W. Division St., 773-770-9015; lostlarson.com
Spilt Milk Pastry
Pie is always the specialty at Spilt Milk, and for Thanksgiving they’re offering five varieties, including heirloom apple, pumpkin-pecan-praline and pear-apple-cranberry crumble ($41-$48) complemented by vanilla whipped cream ($7). Pick up is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 21 or 8-11 a.m. Nov. 22. 811 South Blvd., Oak Park, 708-613-4403, spiltmilkpastry.com
Sweet Mandy B’s
Head to Streeterville or Lincoln Park for a wide variety of 9-inch pies designed to serve six to eight people for $30-$36. Flavors include pumpkin, chocolate cream, pecan and apple streusel. Orders can be picked up Nov. 19-23. 1208 W. Webster Ave., 773-244-1174 and 254 E. Ontario St., 312-255-1632; sweetmandybs.com
Vanille Patisserie
Order a pumpkin pie ($36), an apple streusel pie ($43), a traditional pecan pie ($43) or chocolate-hazelnut French silk pie ($46). Add a box of two dozen Thanksgiving cookies for $29. 2108 N. Clark St. and 131 N. Clinton St., 773-868-4574, vanillepatisserie.com
West Town Bakery
Pick up your pies from any of the bakery’s four locations. Options include bourbon-pecan-chocolate chip pie, pumpkin pie with gingersnap crust and apple-cranberry pie, all priced at $28. For extra festive treats, add on some turkey sugar cookies ($4) or pumpkin pecan cake balls ($2). Multiple locations, westtownbakery.com
Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.
