Description and review of the newly re-opened Real Pie Company, located on 24th Street just off of Broadway in Sacramento.
I was excited to hear that the Real Pie Company was re-opening – after an absence of ten years. I had only patronized the Real Pie Company at its 12th and F Streets location once before it closed in 2008, and I recall my dismay at its closure.
The Real Pie Company, owned by Kira O’Donnell Babich, opened shop in April at its new location. I had decided to wait a few weeks before checking it out – which I recently did.
Real Pie Company is open Wednesday through Sunday. It opens at 11:00 a.m. on weekdays and at 10:00 a.m. on weekends. I arrived at 11:15 a.m. on a weekday to pick up a chicken pot pie and something sweet for that evening.
I knew that parking might be an issue – but I secured a parking spot alongside the green curb in front which was ideal as my plan was to take-out – not eat-in.
The interior of the Real Pie Company is light and airy – and there is more seating than I had expected. I look forward to returning in the future to meet friends there for morning coffee and pastries/pie or a light lunch.
SacramentoRevealed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)
Real Pie Company offers an assortment of pies and pastries, both sweet and savory (chicken or vegetable pot pies, shepherd’s pie, three-cheese Mac-N-Cheese) Wednesday through Friday. Quiche is offered only on weekends.
While vegetarians have options at Real Pie Company, the company website in its Q&A states: Because butter is such an integral part of our pie dough, we do not make vegan pies at this time. The “at this time” does seem to leave the door open for vegan offerings at a future date.
Beverages include coffee, tea (hot or cold), soda, and a selection of craft beer or wine by the glass or bottle. Locally-made ice cream (six flavors) and a Pie Milkshake (pie of choice & ice cream of choice) ($8) round out the menu.
That said – the offerings at Real Pie Company are “seasonally-inspired” so the menu changes frequently.
Review
There were only a few people in line waiting to order – so I checked out both the daily white board and the pastry cases. I planned to purchase a Real Chicken Pot Pie ($8.75) – but I had not pre-determined the “sweet”. It was very hard to choose – but I settled on the mini Old Fashioned Lemon Meringue Pie ($5.75 mini/$28 whole).
When it was my turn I was greeted with a cheery “Welcome to Real Pie Company” and my order was taken. I gave my name and paid – and it was shortly thereafter that my take-out order was ready. My chicken pot-pie was still quite hot – obviously fresh from the oven. When I mentioned that my plan was to enjoy my chicken pot pie at dinner the helpful staff provided me with a handout titled “The Care & Feeding of Your Real Pie”.
The first sentence of The Care & Feeding of Your Real Pie reads “Please (we implore you) do not microwave your Real Pie to warm it. It makes the crust rubbery and tough…..”. As rubbery and tough crust was the last thing I wanted I did as instructed – gently heat my chicken pot pie in a 250 degree oven until heated throughout.
I was glad I did – the crust was light and flakey and the rest of the pot pie (chicken, peas, carrots, mushroom, potato and gravy) very tasty. A few more vegetables would have been nice – but ½ of the pot pie made for a nice meal alongside a small salad. In truth, I could have eaten the whole pot pie – but dessert was also on the menu.
The Old Fashioned Lemon Meringue Pie was delicious. The crust was light and flakey and the meringue and lemon filling was just as I like it – tart but not too tart. I look forward to enjoying both leftover chicken pot pie and lemon meringue pie for lunch tomorrow.
See related blog post: Annual Sacramento Restaurant Review Recap (2018)
Comments on the Real Pie Company?
Have you had a chance to visit the Real Pie Company at its new location? Do you have a favorite sweet/savory pie? I have never had a Pie Milkshake – if you have – please describe the experience!
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