11 places to get pie in the Des Moines metro in celebration of Pi Day

As if you needed an excuse to grab a slice of pie, it’s National Pi Day (March 14th, which lines up with the math numeral 3.14). Find 11 of the best places to get pie in the Des Moines metro.

But first, what’s Pi Day? Oh, just a little national recognition for a rather complex infinite decimal.

According to the event’s official website, “Pi Day is celebrated around the world. Pi (Greek letter “π”) is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant—the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter — which is approximately 3.14159. Pi Day is an annual opportunity for math enthusiasts to recite the infinite digits of Pi, talk to their friends about math, and eat pie.”

But you don’t even have to love math to get in on the fun! Check out this list of bakeries and restaurants, created in no particular order, and start your hunt for the best places to get pie in the Des Moines metro to enjoy this National Pi Day (or any day of the year!).

Wooden Spoons Homemade Pies

Website

(515) 577-9937

1855 NW 84th Ave., Ankeny

Make a point to stop by Wooden Spoons on your pie tour of the metro area. You can pick up a pie that is already baked or ready to take home and bake yourself. Either way, there is an incredible menu of flavors to choose from.

Don’t miss out on the award-winning mudslide pie and an awesome selection of buttery fruit pies all made from scratch. They even offer gluten-free options.

Another exciting feature of Wooden Spoons is that they also offer pie making classes throughout the year. 

Photo courtesy of Wooden Spoons Workshops via Facebook

Thistle’s Summit

Website

(319) 535-3832

340 SW 5th Street #122, Des Moines

Like oatmeal cream pies? The homemade version at Thistle’s Summit in Des Moines is hard to pass up. Biting into it is like tasting childhood.

And there’s more good news, as this plant-based eatery (known for its incredible bakery) has several other pie options available as well.

Recently named one of the best vegan bakeries in the country by VegOut Magazine, you simply don’t want to pass up pie at this eatery.

ChaCha’s Hiland Bakery

Website

(515) 282-4059

3615 6th Ave., Des Moines

This well-known spot has been a favorite destination in the Des Moines area since Hiland Bakery first opened in 1946. Now run by local baker Liz Kirkman (affectionately nicknamed “Cha Cha”), the atmosphere remains nostalgic and the treats are still incredibly tasty.

We recommend the turtle pie, which features a chocolate cookie crust filled with caramel creme topped with homemade ganache, toasted pecans, fresh whipped cream, and a caramel drizzle.

There are plenty of other pies and treats to choose from, so we promise you won’t be disappointed. 

The Bake Shoppe

Website

(515) 255-2253 

6611 University Ave., Windsor Heights

A classic in the Windsor Heights neighborhood, The Bake Shoppe has been a go-to spot for delicious pies since opening in 2003.

Six-inch pies are made every week (typically Thursday), so call and check in what flavors are available or make a special order. Regular flavors include apple, cherry, blueberry, raisin, French silk, and lemon meringue. Other flavors make the rotation seasonally as well. 

The Machine Shed

Website

(515) 270-6818

11151 Hickman Rd., Urbandale

The Machine Shed is arguably well-known for its hearty breakfast menu (oh heck—lunch and dinner, too), but their dessert menu certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Pie by the slice is available daily, just how grandma would make it. Apple and cherry pie are dished up straight or warm a la mode. And The Machine Shed’s cream pies are extra decadent; you can pick from banana cream, coconut cream, chocolate cream, or their signature Snickers pie.

If you feel like sharing, you can grab a whole pie (11 inches, no less!) to go as well. There’s an impressive variety of flavors—it’s hard to choose just one. 

Photo courtesy of The Machine Shed

Piemates

Website

(760) 285-8755

333 5th St., West Des Moines

Who said pie always has to be sweet? Piemates is here to prove that savory pies are just as irresistible. And you don’t even need any utensils to eat it!

Infusing their Australian roots, Piemates has made a name for themselves in the Des Moines area with their “great Australian bites.” They use local ingredients and pack their hand pies with flavor.

Unsurprisingly, the pies have all sorts of fun names (grab a bushwacker, a crickey!, a waltzing Matilda, gold digger, or flaming beauty). We have a feeling you’ll enjoy every lip-smacking mouthful.

Call ahead to place your order and then enjoy these savory pies. 

Bubba

Website

(515) 257-4744

200 10th St., Des Moines

This popular Des Moines restaurant has certainly made a name for itself on the dining scene. But its southern fare with a local flare menu also features some seriously sweet slices of pie.

As expected from a restaurant inspired by the South, there’s caramel apple crumble pie, whiskey pecan pie, and chocolate peanut butter pie to choose from on a regular basis. But keep an eye on their ever-changing specials, because some inventive and delicious pie slices often make the cut. 

Domestic Bones

Website

1620 Pleasant St., Des Moines

Another savory option on the list, Domestic Bones specializes in scrumptious hand pies that burst with flavor. Scoop up a sausage and sweet potato pie, buffalo chicken pie, vegan peanut tofu pie, or even turkey and gravy with mashed potato pie, all wrapped up in a flaky crust that you can eat on the go.

This woman-owned business launched in 2021 keeps bringing new flavor combinations to the table as well. Pies are available for pre-order through the Iowa Food Co-op (including pie subscriptions), and you can check the website or social media pages to see where Domestic Bones is popping up with their hand pies in the days and weeks ahead. 

Photo courtesy of Domestic Bones via Facebook

Iowa Orchard

Website

(515) 276-0852

9875 Meredith Dr., Urbandale

It might be well known as a spot for picking apples, but Iowa Orchard has pies available for purchase year-round in their bakery.

A longtime customer favorite is Dutch crumb apple (no surprise there), but they have also added newer flavors like black raspberry and chocolate pecan to their line up of nearly two dozen options. They also offer 99% sugar-free pies if you happen to be watching your sugar intake but want to get in on the Pi Day fun.

Iowa Orchard pies are never frozen, which helps the homemade goodness shine through. Stop in and grab a ready-to-eat pie or one to pop in the oven yourself.

Pies and Pastries by Lana

Website

(515) 681-9298

Des Moines 

Another small, one-woman show, Pies and Pastries by Lana offers up delectable options for pie enthusiasts.

Her licensed, in-home bakery churns out a wide variety of pies for order including whole pies, pies in a jar, pie bites and other bakery treats. Her fruit pies include all the usual suspects along with black raspberry, fresh peach, two crust pineapple, and many others. Cream pie options include fun flavors like orange cream, chocolate banana, sassy molassey cream, and more. If you’re celebrating an extra special occasion, it might call for one of Lana’s specialty pies such as raspberry mojito, Templeton Rye satin, butterscotch bacon, Iowa fresh corn, or chocolate pecan.

She also operates a Pie Cooperative, which includes a monthly pie delivery.

Home Slice Handmade Pies

Facebook Page

(515) 776-9152

106 Main St. SE Bondurant

This cute little bakery in Bondurant opened up in 2021 and is another great stop for picking up a pie.

Wittily named, this stop serves up the ultimate comfort food in a variety of flavors. You can snag cherry, salted caramel cashew, blueberry lemon, coconut cream, French silk, or peanut butter cream pies.

The owner regularly posts on Facebook what is available, so check in before you swing by for a slice.

Photo courtesy of Home Slice Handmade Pies via Facebook

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.