When asked what they are thankful for many people give the same answers: family, friends, laughter, education, and security. But there is only true response to this question: pie. Being away from home, means being away from those Thanksgiving goodies. But don’t cry over a lack of pumpkin pie! Here are ways to get a pastry fix around Chicago and Evanston.
1. Hoosier Mama
A 10-minute bus ride down Chicago Avenue will take you to the most magical place on earth. Oh wait, that is Disneyland. Well think of Hoosier Mama as a Disneyland of pies. Customers read a giant blackboard to decide on a slice, and honestly, the options are endless.
Peanut butter, chocolate, and bananas sit on top of a graham-cracker-peanut-pretzel crust in the Fat Elvis pie. The fluffiest coconut pastry cream sits above sweet coconut flakes in the Coconut Cream pie. Plus seasonal pies like pumpkin, blueberry, and pear always make an appearance. Modern, open and bright, the shop has the all ingredients for a study space. Doing economics homework while munching on a slice of heaven, what could be better?
2. Bang Bang Pie and Biscuit
You might miss Bang Bang Pie if you aren’t paying attention. Then again, the line out the door might grab your gaze. Located at N. California Ave., this shop is a small and hipster hole-in-the-wall. It’s not always possible to grab a seat, but taking your pie to go is always an option. Bang Bang Pie prides itself on unique, vegan, and seasonal pies.
Their Boston Cream features a shortbread cookie crust, a layer of pastry cream, and dark chocolate ganache. If you are in the mood for a more adventurous pastry then try the Honey pie. Shortbread crust, honey custard, and whipped cream make this a pie Winnie the Pooh would surely desire. Although it’s not a prime study location, Bang Bang Pie is a must for any connoisseur.
3. First Slice Pie Café
Unlike the first two pie shops, First Slice is neither full of edgy hipsters nor modern and airy. Instead, this pie place resembles your grandma or aunt’s kitchen. With bright aqua wallpaper, colorful chalkboards, and sleek wood flooring, First Slice brings a smile to your face before a fork even reaches your mouth. However, the slices here are nothing like a pie back in your home.
With almond cheesecake cream filling, a truffle crust, and dark chocolate spots, the Polka Dot pie is something special. Chocolate, pecans, toffee, and coffee were made for each other in the Coffee Toffee pie. So, if you find yourself in Andersonville, get a First Slice!
4. Your Microwave!
Become the “Hoosier Mama” of your college dorm room with this Pumpkin Pie in a Mug. With just a few ingredients, you can be throwing a pie party! Microwave 1 teaspoon of butter and 2 small ginersnap cookies until you form a crust in the bottom of your mug. Then in a seperate bowl combine 1/3 cup pumpkin puree, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon of milk, 2 tablespoon of brown sugar, and 1 pinch of pumpkin pie spice. When combined, pour this mixtre into the mug. Microwave from 2-5 minutes. Check until pie looks set and a knife comes out clean!