With Boston cream pie being the official state dessert of Massachusetts, Table Talk Pies based in Worcester and a variety of bakeries baking pies daily throughout the state, Bay Staters are uniquely poised to celebrate the irrational number pi, 3.1415… on Pi Day.
Pi Day is celebrated every March 14 (3/14, get it?) and honors the irrational number 3.1415, otherwise known as pi, which appears to go on indefinitely.
According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, regardless of how big or small a circle is, the ratio of the distance around it to the distance across it, is always equal to pi.
It also happens to be German-born, theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein’s birthday March 14.
While the U.S Congress officially declared March 14 as Pi Day in 2009, it is widely accepted that the first Pi Day celebration took place in the San Francisco Exploratorium 21 years prior, when physicist Larry Shaw honored the number with fruited pies.
Whether it be a slice of savory chicken pot-pie or a hunk of sweet, wild blueberry-crumble pie, there is plenty of pie to choose from in Massachusetts in celebration of the annual Pi Day. There’s nothing irrational about this list — here are some places where pie reigns supreme.
A lemon custard pie from Florence Pie Bar in Florence, Mass.Contributed by Emma Colwell
Marion’s Pie Shop, Chatham
Marion’s Pie Shop is an independently owned bakery located at 2022 Main St., Chatham.
According to its official website, Marion’s Pie Shop was established in 1947, where Marion sold homemade chicken pot-pies from her kitchen before opening a bakery beside her home years later.
Today, Marion’s Pie Shop celebrates 75 years in business and sells anything from savory chicken, clam and beefsteak pies – to sweet apple, cherry and key lime pies.
To check for daily pie offerings or to order ahead, call 508-432-9439.
Hours:
Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Pie shown from left to right are pumpkin, pecan, apple and sweet potato.
Photo by The Associated Press AP
Sweet As Pie, Somerset
Sweet As Pie, located at 1043 West County St., Somerset, offers approximately nine dessert pie flavors and 14 savory flavors, though some are only available seasonally.
In addition to pies, this shop also offers a variety of cheesecakes.
Sweet As Pie is a cash-only establishment. To order, call ahead at 508-674-2266.
Hours:
Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. – noon
Ever So Humble Pie Co. Inc., Walpole
Ever So Humble Pie Co. at 153 Washington St., East Walpole, is celebrating 25 years of service this year and offers more than a dozen fruit pies in addition to several cream and savory pie options.
This shop offers guests premade, frozen pies available for pick-up. According to its official website, its motto is “we’ll make it, you bake it!”
Guests have the option of ordering 10-inch pies weighing in at 3.5 pounds, for $29.95 each, 8-inch pies for $19.95, 6-inch pies for $11.95 or 5-inch “cutie pies,” for $7.95.
Though preordering is not offered, guests are encouraged to check pie availability at 508-660-9731.
Hours:
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
An Earl Grey chocolate chess pie from Florence Pie Bar in Florence, Mass.Contributed by Emma Colwell
Petsi Pies, Somerville
Petsi Pies, located at 285 Beacon St., Somerville, offers nine fresh dessert pies and three savory pie options.
Petsi Pies also offers several vegan pies and more than a dozen “take-and-make,” frozen pies.
Pies are available in multiple sizes, including 5 inches, 8 inches or 10 inches.
Price ranges from $9 – $35 a pie.
Guests may order online, call ahead at 617-661-7437 or visit a local carrier.
Hours:
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday through Sunday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Table Talk Pies limited edition Mocha Creme Pie (Nick O’Malley, MasssLive)
Flour Bakery + Café, Boston, Cambridge
Flour Bakery + Café is a full bakery offering anything from fresh-baked pies to PB&J sandwiches.
Flour Bakery + Café offers about half a dozen pies, including Boston cream pie, coconut cream pie and a pie of the month.
Pies start at $38 each, and can be made vegan with an additional $5 charge with 48 hours notice.
Hours and locations:
Flour Bakery + Café has eight locations throughout the state, including shops in South Boston, Boston Seaport, Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Harvard Square in Cambridge and Fort Point in Boston.
Lyndell’s Bakery, Somerville
Lyndell’s Bakery at 720 Broadway, Somerville, has served freshly baked cakes, pastries and pies since 1887, according to its official website.
Lyndell’s Bakery offers about a dozen pies in addition to cakes, cookies, breads and coffee.
Pies featured at this shop include apple, blueberry, cherry, lemon, pecan, pumpkin and ricotta.
To check menu offerings, call 617-625-1793.
Hours:
Sunday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Monday, 7 a.m. – noon
Tuesday – Saturday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Ovenbird Café, Belmont
Ovenbird Café, formerly Vicki Lee’s, offers guests homemade individual hand-pies or order-by-slice options.
Located at 105 Trapelo Road, Belmont, Ovenbird Café’s by-the-slice flavors include pistachio, coconut and chamomile-buttermilk.
Hand-pies are available in sweet apple or savory chicken flavors. Slices and hand pies are $5 each. Whole pies are available for $35.
Guests can order online here.
To verify menu offerings, call 617-489-5007.
Hours:
Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Mixed berry, apple and cream pies from Florence Pie Bar in Florence, Mass.Contributed by Emma Colwell
Wilson Farm, Lexington
Wilson Farm, at 10 Pleasant St., Lexington, offers over two dozen pie flavors including savory mincemeat and sweet apple.
This 33-acre farm features a large variety of gluten-free pies as well, such as gluten-free pecan, apple and pumpkin.
Other offerings include banana cream, blueberry, cherry, chocolate cream, chocolate mousse, coconut cream, key lime, lemon meringue, strawberry rhubarb and peach crumb.
Visitors have the option of shopping a variety of award-winning produce, cheese and meats.
Call to check daily flavor options at 781-862-3900.
Hours:
Open daily from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
The Florence Pie Bar in Northampton’s Florence village. Staff-Shot
Florence Pie Bar, Florence
Florence Pie Bar, at 17 Main St., Florence, offers guests a rotating pie menu with three sweet pies and two savory pies which change daily.
Of the savory pies, guests have the option of ordering a hand pie between $6-$7, an entire quiche at $32, or a slice of quiche at $5.50.
Sweet pie prices are $32-$35 for an entire pie or $5-$6 a slice.
To view daily menu offerings, check Florence Pie Bar’s official website or call 413-341-3283 to inquire.
Take-and-bake frozen pies are available for preorder only.
Hours:
Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
A peek inside the key lime pie from Table Talk Pies.
Nick O’Malley, MassLive
Table Talk Pie, Worcester
Table Talk Pies is a food manufacturing business that has been making pies in Worcester since 1924.
According to its official website, in 2019, Table Talk Pies sold 240 million 4-inch snack-pies and 25 million dessert pies.
Located at 65 Green St., Worcester, Table Talk Pies is all about the sweets – offering anything from classic blueberry and apple, to tart combinations such as strawberry-rhubarb pie and crab-apple pie.
To inquire about specific menu offerings or to preorder desserts, call 508-438-1526.
Hours:
Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday through Sunday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tafts Farm, Great Barrington
Tafts Farm, located at 119 Park St., Great Barrington, bakes pies daily. Pie flavors include apple, cherry, raspberry, strawberry-rhubarb, peach and Boston cream.
Seasonal flavors such as pumpkin, pecan and apple-cranberry are available for preorder, upon request.
Guests have the option of ordering by the slice, at $4 each, half-pie at $11 or a full 8-inch pie at $20.
To call ahead for preorder or to verify menu offerings, call 413-528-1515.
Hours:
Open daily from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
MassLive reporter Nick O’Malley poses with a Table Talk pancake-pie.
Melissa Hanson | mhanson@masslive.com
