Nothing says autumn like a slice of homemade pumpkin pie. But why waste these colorful, crisp fall days with rolling your own dough and creating that pumpkin-pie filling? These places will satisfy your seasonal cravings by giving you that same homemade taste of autumn's quintessential dessert. Don't forget the whipped cream!
Oak Mill Bakery
This Chicago-area chain has many locations and no pre-order policy, so they are a great convenience to all the busy-bees who want to stick to their own schedule. And they offer all the holiday classics: mince meat, pecan, pumpkin and cranberry-apple.
Sweet Thang
Some things, like some people, are sweeter than others. Bring a pie to your holiday gathering and you will likely be counted among the sweetest. Although it's lovely to loiter in their contemporary-yet-cozy digs, it's a bustling holiday and you have lots to do, so you may have to skip coffee-sipping. With 48 hours notice, Sweet Thang will whip up a pie you can pick up, because you would need to be born under a lucky star to find one in their display case. Choose the traditional pumpkin or go for a cherry or caramel-turtle pie; each is $15.
Potash Brothers Supermarket (Gold Coast)
This Gold Coast market and deli will purportedly have "tons" of their traditional (and reasonably priced) pumpkin and apple pies laid out for last-minute pick-up. Or you can order one online for delivery, at $7 in the neighborhood or $11 if you want it delivered to a more-distant home or office.
Bonjour Bakery Cafe
You will hear compliments for years over your addition to the holiday dessert table. Or so you might imagine for a $28 pumpkin pie. Bonjour assures that it packs quite a punch in a modest 9-inch circle. Maybe opt for the pumpkin tart (think flaky, pastry crust) to offer a bit of flair for your buck. Order your choice two days before you're ready to pick it up and secure your place in family-dessert history.
Medici on 57th
Not just a great pizza and burger joint, Medici has a straight-from-grandma's-oven bakery. Call one day ahead of time to bring home an apple, pecan or good-old pumpkin pie for $15. Good price, good pie, good times had by all.
Oak Park's Great Harvest
Think ahead with these guys; they need five days notice to create their goodies. Go to the bakery for an enveloping experience: Aromas of baking bread and fresh-brewed coffee will put you in a trance. Of course you can also place your order over the phone or online, knowing that you'll get to come in and pick up your delights in person. Some of their harvest-holiday specialties are apple scrapple bread (a round loaf baked with fresh apples and topped with sugar crumbs) and pumpkin, apple crumb and sweet potato pies.
Dinkel's
Thinking of making an impression this holiday by bringing an enormous 3-D butter cream cake shaped and "dressed" like a Thanksgiving turkey? Dinkel's can make that happen. Or maybe play it safe with nearly a dozen pie choices, including crowd-pleasers like Dutch apple, pecan or pumpkin. Just give them a day's notice for that unforgettable turkey cake.
Ann Sather (Belmont)
Although this spot is known for its ridiculously addictive cinnamon rolls, the pies here are also smashing. Traditional pumpkin is available, but gets trumped by options like a walnut-chocolate chip pie or apple-cranberry pie. Order up to two days in advance and wow your family for a reasonable 10-spot (you'll need to use plastic, however, to hold your goods when you call).
Whole Foods
Whistle while you shop. Because you can slide a pie into your cart along with fresh cranberries and the turkey you had to order so far in advance. The Whole Foods Bakehouse is well-stocked with the spiced custard classic that is pumpkin pie. Take note: This is one reasonable item at the store that won't put you in debt this year. And then stop by the South Loop location's grandiose wine and cheese shop and say goodbye to the money you saved.
Jewel
Never underestimate the power of Jewel's bakery. Beyond its knock-out chocolate chip cookies and surprisingly authentic baguettes, the store's cakes and pies make a great centerpiece for the holidays. And bonus, a pumpkin pie is only $2.99, no advance ordering, no hassle. Need we say more?
Roeser's Bakery
For nearly 100 years this family has been fattening up Chicagoans with its confectionery delicacies. Let the tradition roll this holiday with a pie from the Roeser's kitchen. Bring on the mince meat, the pecan, the sweet potato, the pumpkin and the apple pies. You can pick up a few this holiday; they're only $6.95. And there are oodles ready for pick-up.
Rolf's Patisserie
Last-minute errand runners take comfort: Rolf's is open from 6 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving. But there's no guarantee there will be much of a selection that day of those tasty Dutch cherry, peach, apple or pumpkin pies. So either try your luck or order up to three days in advance to be safe. The free coffee with every $1 purchase will offset the cost of the $18 deep-dish pies. Regular tin pies are just under $10.
Red Hen Bread
Why not go where the local chefs go to supply fresh bread to their dinner guests this holiday season? Stock up on rolls or hearty bread as well as an apple pie that will be the hit of the party. Instructions: Take your pie out of box and place it on a plate for effect. For a last-minute order of your pumpkin, pecan or fruit pie, Red Hen is open on Thanksgiving until noon.
Bleeding Heart Bakery
Tired of the old same old-same old? Order a pumpkin cheesecake this year from the folks that bring you amazing pastries from an all-organic kitchen. Be green on the holidays, and it'll set you back less of the green stuff in your wallet than you'd expect from an organic bakery.
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Be thankful for Centerstage Chicago's Thanksgiving Guide
Get Cookin' ~ Drink on the Eve
Eat Out ~ Volunteer and Give Back
Eat at O'Hare ~ Munch Near Midway
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