The 9 Best Pie Shops in San Francisco

Just in time for Pi Day.

By daisy barringer

Published on 12/03/2021 at 09:18 PM

If humans were ever forced to choose between pie and cake, there’s no doubt that pie would be the winner. Cake could just never be what pie is. It’s a one-note song while pie is a symphony. Pie can be sweet. It can be savory. It can have flaky crusts or crumbly crusts or crusts that are a vehicle for copious amounts of butter. It can contain fruit or chocolate or chicken or nuts. It’s full of comfort and tradition and nostalgia and love. It can be topped with whipped cream or ice cream or sugar or meringue. It’s messy and delicious and good for all three meals.

That is why you should celebrate pie every day and not just on holidays like Pi Day-technically a celebration of the mathematical constant pi (3.14159 and so on), but for us, just another excuse to get a deal on our favorite slices. To facilitate that celebration, we’ve put together this list of our favorite spots in SF that make the best pies. And it should be noted: whoever started the idiom “as easy as pie” clearly never actually tried to make one. Between making the perfect crust from scratch, getting all of the flavors just right for the filling, lattice tops, and all of the rest of it, well, we bet that person would be eating humble pie if they actually gave it a go.

Bi-Rite Creamery

Mission, NoPa
Bi-Rite Creamery is best known for its ice cream that people line up on the sidewalk for even when it’s cold and foggy. But the founders were pastry chefs before they started chilling and churning, so it only makes sense that they branched back out into pie. During the holidays there are more pie flavors to choose from, but usually, you can always get a classic apple pie with a crumb topping as well as their signature chocolate bourbon mousse pie made with a bourbon-infused chocolate mousse and topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Both pies are six inches, so you can basically eat one by yourself. Can’t pick between ice cream and pie? The creamery has a couple of ice cream pies as well.
How to order: Buy in person at any of the Bi-Rite Markets (availability not guaranteed). You can also order ahead for pick-up delivery from the Mission and Divisadero locations on the Bi-Rite website or via Instacart. Ice cream cakes are available for pick-up or delivery. Order here.

Black Jet Baking Co.

Bernal Heights
If you really want a taste of nostalgia, order a pie from Black Jet Baking Co. There are tons of flavors-banana cream, apple, apple crumb, coconut cream, pecan, chocolate cream, and dark chocolate pecan pie-all with a crust that is perfectly flaky. If you prefer a savory pie, Black Jet also makes a chicken pot pie that will take you right back to childhood.
How to order: For sweet pies, you can order ahead for pick-up (Tuesday–Sunday) at the storefront here. If you’re in the mood for savory pies on a weekday or Sunday, pre-order here. Availability for pre-order times for savory items vary, but try to plan a week ahead. Pre-orders for Saturday pickup (excluding sweet pies) are here. You can also order delivery via Good Eggs.

Blue Plate

Outer Mission
If you aren’t a fan of Key lime pie then keep moving because that’s the only kind of pie you’ll find at this upscale comfort food mainstay. It’s a classic take on the official Florida state pie with a graham cracker crust and a filling that is both tart and sweet with lime zest and topped with fluffy whipped cream. Order a slice or the whole pie.
How to order: Enjoy your pie in Blue Plate’s garden (reservations here), order for pickup here, and order for delivery on Grubhub.

Butter Love Bakeshop

Outer Richmond
Pot pie, breakfast pie, cottage pie, shepherd’s pie, hand-held pie, pudding pie, and all of the classic dessert pies-if you’re an equal opportunist when it comes to pie, you’ll be in heaven at Butter Love Bakeshop. The (not really a) secret is in the incredibly buttery crust-a recipe that was handed down to the owner (a native San Franciscan it’s worth pointing out) by her mother, and may or may not (definitely the former) have inspired the shop’s name.
How to order: Shop for pies in-person at the bakery or place an order with three days notice here.

Peasant Pies

Various locations
What sounds better than pie for breakfast, pie for dinner, and pie for dessert? Not much, which is why you can’t beat Peasant Pies for when all you want is pie, pie, and more pie. All of the savory pies (and there are a lot, including eggs, sausage, and potato; clam and spicy tomato sauce; garbanzo bean curry; and classic chicken just to name a few) are meant to be eaten with your hands, and the individual dessert pies for one are small enough that no one will blame you if you skip a fork for those as well. Large, sweet and savory pies are also available, but they require notice. And if you just get the small pies, you don’t have to share.
How to order: Look for Peasant Pies in Whole Foods Markets and Rainbow Grocery. Order online for pick-up or delivery here.

Revenge Pies

Macondray on Russian Hill and Casement’s in the Mission
Revenge Pies was literally born from a pie baked for revenge, and it turns out that cooking with a little spite works just as well as that whole cooking with love thing everyone’s always going on about. The owner had it rough this past year. The pandemic killed a ton of business and then her commercial kitchen burned down. This has led to a somewhat sporadic pie-acquiring situation, but they’re still out there in the wild occasionally and, once in a while, can be ordered for delivery. Look, if pi gets to be irrational, why can’t Revenge Pie be a little kooky as well?
How to order: Unclear. You can contact Revenge Pies here. Otherwise follow on Instagram for the latest updates.

Tartine

Inner Sunset, Mission, delivery
Tartine is one of the best bakeries in California, if not the country. Its bread is why any sane person will never swear off carbs. Its morning bun is perfection, you will not find a better one anywhere. And when it comes to pie, the bakery/restaurant also pulls out a huge win. The kind of pie you might find will depend on if you’re going to Tartine Manufactory, Tartine Bakery, or Tartine in the Inner Sunset. And maybe you’re more likely to find a tart, which isn’t technically a pie, but in this instance, close enough. Apple hand pie, banana cream tart, coconut cream tart, lemon cream tart, hazelnut tart…all perfection. (Tartine has quiche also, but we’re already pushing it with the whole tart thing, so we won’t go there. For now.)
How to order: Place an order in-person at all locations, or order delivery or pick-up from Tartine Bakery here, Tartine Manufactory here, and the Inner Sunset location here. You can also order for delivery or pick-up from the Inner Sunset location and the bakery on Caviar.

Three Babes Bakeshop

Bayview and the Ferry Building on Saturdays
A WOC-owned bakery with organic pies made from local ingredients may seem like pie in the sky, but the owners of Three Babes Bakeshop made it a reality and are now one of San Francisco’s most beloved pie producers. The dark golden crust is buttery, flaky, and serves as the perfect base for all of the pies, including apple, bourbon pecan, blackberry crumble, and the always popular honey-walnut. Order it to pick up at the Bayview location, have it delivered, or stop by the Ferry Building farmers market on Saturday morning.
How to order: Order here for pick-up and delivery. Delivery is also available via Good Eggs.

Yvonne’s Southern Sweets

Bayview
Yvonne Hines may be a San Francisco native, but based on the sweets and treats you’ll find at her shop, you’d think she was raised in the South. Her pecan pralines are the best you’ll find in NorCal, and the buttery 7-Up pound cake is out of this world, but we’re here to tell you about pie, and so we will. The menu switches up, but you’ll usually have a choice of pecan and sweet potato, and sometimes lemon. Don’t try to decide without all of the information. Get a slice of ‘em all and then take home an entire pie of your favorite.
How to order: Order and pick-up in person on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10am to 3pm.

Daisy Barringer is an SF-based writer who loves a fruit pie more than any other dessert in the whole entire world. Tell her where she should get her next slice on Twitter @daisy.

San Francisco

How to Celebrate Black History Month in San Francisco

Support and celebrate SF's Black community.

By daisy barringer

Published on 07/02/2023 at 09:20

Though it’s something we need to be doing every day of every month of every year, Black History Month encourages us to pay tribute to the struggles and oppression generations of Black Americans have faced, as well as their often-neglected triumphs and achievements that have helped shape this county and make it better. It’s a time to reflect on how we can do better to confront racism and oppression, which this year’s theme, “Black Resistance,” echoes. This is especially important in a town like San Francisco, where the Fillmore District was known as “the Harlem of the West” before the city displaced a vast portion of the neighbourhood’s Black community in the ’60s and ’70s. This displacement continues today, as the Black population is the only racial group that has declined in every census since 1970.

If you’re looking for ways to celebrate Black History Month, there are lots to do. Whether you want to educate yourself by attending films, performances, or conversations, share the joy at a parade or dance party, or do a little bit of it all at a drag show, here are just a few ways you can get involved and have a lot of fun while doing so:

Visit San Francisco Public Library branches for workshops, films, performances, and more

February (and throughout the year)
Library branches and online
SFPL’s “More Than a Month” celebration focuses on the theme of resistance this year. Family-friendly and adult events include film screenings, musical performances, book clubs, workshops, and more.
Cost: Free

See art, poetry, films, talks, and more at MoAD

February (and throughout the year)
SoMa
Right now, at the Museum of African Diaspora, you can see the first and only West Coast exhibition of “The New Black Vanguard: Photography Between Art and Fashion,” which highlights the work of 15 contemporary fashion designers “whose images present radically new perspectives on the medium of photography and art, race and beauty, and gender and power.” The museum, which has a robust year-round program and event calendar, has a slew of events to attend, including youth poetry readings, film screenings, open mic nights, book clubs, artist talks, and more.
Cost: Event prices vary; GA to visit the museum is $12 but free every second Saturday of the month

Check out films, art, reading, talks, and more at BAMPFA

February (and throughout the year)
Berkeley
There is always something interesting to discover at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA). During Black History Month, you can see films by Pratibha Parmar, “Felwine Sarr: Music, Freedom, Africa,” a conversation through music with the Senegalese writer, scholar, composer, musician, and more.
Cost: Varies

Enjoy menu specials honoring Black community members at Old Skool Cafe

February (and throughout the year)
Bayview
For Black History Month, Old Skool Cafe is adding the favourite meals of notable Black community members to the menu each weekend. The nonprofit, youth-run supper club helps at-risk, formerly incarcerated, and foster care youth ages 16-22 gain the skills and experience they need to succeed in various front and back-of-house restaurant roles. Bayview hero/community advocate Mrs. Dorris Vincent is first up, followed by Judge Trina Thompson, Delroy Lindo, and Mayor London Breed.

Walk beneath the Marting Luther King, Jr. Memorial waterfall

February (and ongoing)
Yerba Buena Gardens
Did you know that Yerba Buena Gardens is home to the country’s second-largest memorial to Dr. King? Visit the sculptural waterfall featuring glass panels inscribed with his inspiring words at 750 Howard Street.
Cost: Free

Attend the Commonwealth’s “Dreaming Forward: A Celebration of Black Joy, Power, and Excellence” conference

Thursday, February 9
Embarcadero
On behalf of Dr. Sheryl Evans Davis and the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, the Commonwealth Club is hosting its second annual Dream Keeper Initiative, a day-long conference/celebration/call-to-action featuring special guests, including April Ryan of TheGrio and CNN.
Cost: Free

Celebrate Black Love at Oakland First Fridays

Friday, February 10
Telegraph Avenue from West Grand to 27th Street
Telegraph Avenue transforms into a dining, shopping, and art-appreciating party on Friday, February 10, from 5 pm to 9 pm. There will be food, artist, and retail vendors and a host of Black artists, authors, and entertainment. Please note: This event was rescheduled from February 3 because of potential rain.
Cost: Free

Have a ball at an all-Black drag show at Oasis

Friday, February 10
SoMa
“Reparations with Latrice Royale” is an all-Black drag show hosted by Latrice Royale, the beloved Drag Race star who also happens to be celebrating her birthday.
Cost: $15 to $60

Dance all night and shop all day at the Afro Soca Love carnival and marketplace

Friday, February 10 – Saturday, February 11
341 13th Street, Oakland
Afro Soca Love creates experiences that act as a “gateway to building bonds and strengthen relationships-between communities, individuals, and Africa and its diaspora.” See for yourself at the all-ages marketplace (Saturday), where you’ll find food and drink, fashion, beauty and wellness, home decor, and more. But before the shopping comes the dancing at the 21+ Friday Night Carnival, a culturally immersive music experience with music from all over the world.
Cost: The marketplace is free; tickets to the Friday Night Carnival start at $20

See a live performance of “Words That Made the Difference: Brown vs. the Board of Education”

Saturday, February 11
Unity Palo Alto
See a live theatrical performance based on the true events that occurred in the fight to end school segregation. The script draws from trial transcripts of the five cases brought together in front of the Supreme Court and Chief Justice Earl Warren’s memoirs, and the play is set in the courtrooms where it all happened. There will be a Q&A with the playwright before the performance and the cast afterward.
Cost: Free

Courtesy of San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company

Go to the I, Too, Sing America album release party

Saturday, February 11
Mission
Head to the Brava Theater Center to celebrate the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company’s album release of the music created for I, Too, Sing America, a soulful and uplifting performance that moved audiences when it debuted last year. The night includes an album-listening and sing-along party, DJs, dancing, an open bar, and more.
Cost: $40

Go on the Black Liberation Walking Tour of West Oakland

Saturday, February 18
West Oakland
Take a walk with David Peters, founder of the West Oakland Cultural Action Network, and Gene Anderson, the author of Legendary Locals of Oakland, to learn about resident voices and document sites of cultural and historical significance in the neighbourhood. Peters is a local native, and Anderson is an Oakland historian whose family has historical roots in West Oakland.
Cost: $50 ($30 for West Oakland residents)

See a screening of The Black Kung Fu Experience followed by in-person demonstrations

Sunday, February 19
Great Star Theater, Chinatown
The Chinese Historical Society of America is celebrating Black History Month and social unity with a screening of this film about how a group of African American pioneers became respected in a subculture dominated by Chinese and white men. Afterward, there will be demonstrations and talks with Sifu Donald Hamby and Sifu Troy Dunwood, who “will speak about their success as internationally recognized martial arts masters, their Chinese Kung Fu teachers, and what this practice means in relation to diversity, race and inclusion issues.”
Cost: $15

Sip wine made by Black winemakers at a free tasting event at STEM Kitchen + Garden

Thursday, February 23
Dogpatch
STEM Kitchen + Garden is hosting an afternoon wine tasting celebrating Black-owned wineries in its gorgeous indoor/outdoor space, and best of all, and it’s free to the public!
Cost: Free

Attend the San Francisco African American Arts & Cultural District Gala Fundraiser

Saturday, February 25
Bayview Opera House
Enjoy an evening of talent, fashion, and community inspiration at SFAAACD’s 1st Annual Gala Fundraiser. Carla Duke, Television News Director at CBS-KPIX Chanel 5, will host the event, which includes inspiring words from keynote speaker Aniyia Williams, an artist, tech creator, and system-preneur.
Cost: $100

Attend a Black History Month & Chinese New Year Poetry Reading on Angel Island

Saturday, February 25
Angel Island
There is so much history in poetry at the Angel Island Detention Barracks Museum, which makes it a fitting location for poets Chun Yu and Michael Warr. The co-founders of Two Languages/One Community will share their poems and stories in English and Chinese, accompanied by projected images of text and photographs.
Cost: $10 to $21

Feel the joy at the Black Joy Parade

Sunday, February 26
Downtown Oakland
This parade and festival celebrate the “Black experience past, present, and future.” Be prepared to experience “more Black joy than you ever imagined,” starting with the parade (beginning at 14th and Franklin) at 12:30 pm. The family-friendly festival follows (main entrance is at 19th and Franklin) will include 200-plus Black-owned small businesses selling food, drinks, clothing, art, and more. There will also be two stages with Black performers, including The Black Joy Choir.
Cost: Free

Take a sound bath at Grace Cathedral in honor of Black History Month

Monday, February 27
Nob Hill
Take an immersive sound bath featuring Fractals of Sound, a collective of top Bay Area musicians Egemen Sanli, Phoenix Song, and Sam Jackson, with special guest Destiny Muhammad. Together, they will create a “soundscape deeply rooted in world music,” allowing you to take a meditative journey in one of the most beautiful places in San Francisco.
Cost: $25 to $75

See Tsitsi Dangarembga and Angela Davis at City Arts & Lectures

Tuesday, February 28
Civic Center
Co-presented with MoAd, City Arts & Lectures is hosting novelist Tsitsi Dangarembga and scholar and activist Angela Davis for what’s sure to be a riveting conversation.
Cost: $36

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Daisy Barringer is an SF-based freelance writer who spent many childhood days wandering around the Exploratorium. Follow her on Instagram to see what she’s up to now.