As sweet cities go, San Francisco is
definitely up there with the best of them, thanks to bakeries across
the city catering to our every sugary whim. We went in search of the
greatest dessert pies in the city and found there were more than
plenty to choose from. Here are our ten favorites.
10. Miz Lynn's Pies
You can find Miz Lynn's pies at farmers markets around the city, as well as at the Harvest Ranch market on 8th and Howard. And when you pick them up, prepare for surprises -- the spice apple cranberry pie tastes more like lemon than anything else, but its super zesty, stunningly sweet taste is a thrill for your taste buds. Similarly, the sweet potato pie is so much like pumpkin it could've fooled us in a taste test. Miz Lynn's would benefit from using more fresh fruit, but the pies are yummy nonetheless.
8. Yvonne's Southern Sweets
5128 Third StreetHunter's Point might not be the first place you think of when you're wanting something sweet, but Yvonne's little bakery offers up mouth-watering slices of down home Southern comfort. The perfect crust on her peach cobbler alone makes the journey worthwhile, but the sweet potato pie is a delight as well. (Side note: we know this is a pie list, but we'd recommend trying a slice of the dense and fluffy 7-Up cake while you're in there -- it's divine.)
7. Pie Tisserie
You can pick up a variety of Pie Tisserie treats at the Real Food Co on Polk and Broadway. The four-packs of mini pies are perfect for foodies who want to try a bit of everything. The fruit pies -- like the black and blue pear and the spiced apple -- are pretty good, but where Pie Tisserie really excels is with the incredibly creamy and wholesome pecante and the unique and delightfully fluffy beet pie, complete with pastry heart on top.
1720 Polk
This super-cute five-year-old Russian Hill bakery switches up their pies with the seasons, but we tried their pecan and it was absolutely jam-packed with nut chunks and a satisfying and surprising savory taste. The flaky crust is damn near perfect and the portions are very generous for the price. Excellent.
5. Noe Valley Bakeryhttp://www.voiceplaces.com/devils-teeth-baking-company-san-francisco-bay-area-4281755-l/
4073 24th Street
They don't sell by the slice, which isn't the most convenient thing unless you're having a dinner party or have a big family, but the mixed berry pie from here is so juicy, so fresh and so flavorful, there's a good chance you'll want to eat the whole thing on your own. It's also so beautifully put together, it's practically a cartoon pie cooling on a window sill in a comic strip. The sugar-sprinkled apple pie is also an addictive delight, as are the super-crispy mini pecan pies.
4. Pie Fridays
You have to go to Valencia at 19th on Fridays and Saturdays to catch this cart, but catch it you must, because not only is the service impeccable, the whipped cream fresh and the pies above and beyond delicious, if you can't decide what to get, they'll give you two half slices! It's $6 per slice (or two half slices) but when there's maple syrup and apple in the pecan pie and the key lime tastes more like cheese cake, you really can't argue.
3. Mission Pie
2901 Mission Street
Before we started the research for this story, we presumed Mission Pie would be a top contender, such is the storied magnificence of their pies. Organic, locally sourced, always fresh and always served with a smile, the walnut, mixed berry and banana cream are our favorites -- especially when topped with their house-made whipped cream. Also, vegans rejoice: There's pie aplenty for you too. Extra props go to Mission Pie for being a hang out spot the entire community can enjoy.
600 Guerrero St
If you've never tried the Coconut Cream and Banana Cream pies in here, your life is simply not complete yet. The subtle attention to detail and sheer unadulterated expertise that goes into making each and every one of these is a true marvel to behold. The lightest lashings of fluffy sweet cream on top of a flaky, dark-chocolate-laced crust, the former comes with licks of fresh coconut, the latter with satisfying chunks of fresh banana. So far beyond good, they're practically evil.2128 Folsom
When we say these Babes make the most perfect pie in the city (possibly the world), we are not exaggerating. Their signature Salty Honey Walnut is so flavorful, so unique and so mouth-wateringly delicious, it is worth every penny of the five dollars they charge for one locally sourced, organic slice. Boozers rejoice too, for the trio also make a Bourbon Custard, in amongst their other unusual flavors (like Blood Orange Buttermilk and Pumpkin Cranberry Crumble). You can find the ladies in the back of the Stable Café in the Mission every Sunday. Get there early -- popular flavors sell out fast and for good reason. You've never tasted anything like this before.
