The Fresh-Baked Pies At This Small-Town Bakery Are Worth A Trip Across Illinois
Some places build a reputation one slice at a time, and this small-town pie shop in Illinois is a perfect example. Tucked into Princeton, it has quietly grown into one of the most talked-about bakery stops in the state, thanks to a steady focus on quality and consistency.
Travelers along Interstate 80 often make time for a stop here, and plenty of others plan an entire trip around it. Fresh-baked pies tend to turn a simple visit into something much more memorable, especially with so many flavors to choose from.
The experience feels unpretentious and genuinely local, which adds to the appeal. It’s not just about dessert, it’s about the kind of place people return to and recommend.
More Than Just A Pie Stop
Myrtle’s Pies sits at 927 N Main St in Princeton, Illinois, a town that brings its own quiet charm to the visit. Princeton is a welcoming small city in Bureau County with a walkable downtown area that includes local shops, antique stores, and restaurants worth exploring before or after your pie stop.
The location near Interstate 80 makes it a natural and convenient detour for anyone driving across northern Illinois. Plenty of parking is available near the bakery, so arriving with a car full of pie enthusiasts is not a logistical headache.
If you give yourself a little time to wander around, the whole visit feels more like a relaxed outing than a quick stop. Myrtle’s might be the main reason you’re going, but the town gives you a reason to stick around.
It’s worth planning at least a couple of hours.
Myrtle’s is the anchor of the trip, but the town around it gives the visit a fuller, more satisfying shape.
The Pie Selection Is Genuinely Massive
When you walk into Myrtle’s Pies and take a look at the display, it feels a bit like opening a diner menu that just refuses to narrow things down. There are fruit pies, cream pies, seasonal options, and all kinds of specialty flavors lined up, and it can be a little overwhelming in the best way.
On any given day, you might find classics like Lemon Meringue, Banana Cream, Coconut Cream, French Silk, Pecan, Apple, Cherry, or Peach, along with other rotating flavors that come and go.
That rotation is part of what keeps it fun. Even if you’ve been before, there’s a good chance you’ll see something new.
And with that much variety, everyone can usually find something they like without having to compromise, which is pretty rare for a place this size.
Limited Hours, Big Demand
Before planning your visit, there is one scheduling detail that catches nearly every first-timer off guard: Myrtle’s Pies keeps a limited schedule, most often operating Thursday through Saturday with occasional variations. That limited window is part of what makes each visit feel special rather than routine.
The condensed hours allow the team to focus entirely on quality over quantity. Every pie that comes out of the oven gets the full attention it deserves, and the results speak for themselves in every flaky, golden crust.
Calling ahead or checking the Facebook page before making the drive is always a smart move. The shop can be reached at +1 815-915-8397 to confirm hours and available flavors.
Arriving early on weekends tends to give you the widest selection, since popular flavors like French Silk and Coconut Cream tend to move fast on busy afternoons.
Scratch-Made Crusts Daily
A pie crust can make or break the entire experience, and at Myrtle’s the crust is clearly treated as a craft rather than an afterthought.
Pies are made from scratch with fresh preparation regularly emphasized by the bakery, producing that satisfying crunch and delicate flakiness that store-bought shells simply cannot replicate.
The texture hits that sweet spot between sturdy enough to hold generous fillings and tender enough to practically melt when it meets your fork. Whether the filling is a juicy stone fruit or a silky cream, the crust holds its own without going soggy or tough.
Baking fresh every day also means the pies you pick up are never sitting around from previous days. That commitment to daily preparation is part of what gives Myrtle’s its reputation as a destination worth driving across the state for, not just a convenient stop when you happen to be nearby.
Freshness is the foundation of everything here.
Custom Orders Made Easy
One of the most practical things to know about Myrtle’s Pies is that custom orders are not just tolerated, they are genuinely welcomed. If a specific flavor is not on the regular rotation, calling ahead with your request gives the team time to prepare it just for you.
The shop even accommodates gluten-free crust requests, which is a meaningful option for anyone with dietary restrictions who still wants to enjoy a proper homemade pie. That level of flexibility is not something every small bakery offers, and it sets Myrtle’s apart from more rigid operations.
For larger events, the custom order system really shines. The bakery has produced dozens of pies for weddings and holiday gatherings, handling big requests with professionalism and care.
Ordering early and communicating clearly about flavors and quantities ensures everything goes smoothly. Reach the shop at +1 815-915-8397 to discuss your order and get a timeline for pickup.
The Lemon Meringue Showstopper
Among the cream pies at Myrtle’s, the Lemon Meringue has earned a reputation that precedes it. The meringue on this pie is no modest dollop, it rises several inches above the filling in a cloud of toasted, airy sweetness that looks almost architectural.
Underneath that impressive crown sits a lemon filling that balances tart and sweet with real precision. The flavor is bright and citrusy without veering into face-puckering sourness, making it approachable for a wide range of palates.
The meringue itself is cooked properly throughout, avoiding the weeping or rubbery texture that plagues lesser versions of this classic.
The combination of textures in a single bite is genuinely impressive: the snap of the crust, the smooth creaminess of the lemon layer, and the pillowy lightness of the meringue all working together. It is the kind of slice that makes a strong case for why this pie shop draws visitors from hours away.
Holiday Favorites That Sell Fast
When the holiday season rolls around, two flavors at Myrtle’s tend to claim the spotlight above all others: French Silk and Pecan. Both have built a loyal following among shoppers looking to bring something genuinely impressive to a Thanksgiving or Christmas table.
The French Silk is everything a chocolate cream pie should be, dense and rich without feeling heavy, with a smooth, mousse-like texture that holds its shape beautifully when sliced. It is the kind of dessert that draws quiet appreciation from even the most skeptical chocolate lovers at the table.
The Pecan pie delivers that deep, caramel-forward sweetness that feels tailor-made for autumn gatherings. The nuts are generously distributed throughout, and the filling sets up with that satisfying slightly sticky consistency that makes each bite feel indulgent without being cloyingly sweet.
Ordering these flavors well ahead of major holidays is strongly advised, as they tend to be among the first to sell out on busy weekends.
Sit Down And Stay Awhile
Myrtle’s Pies is not just a grab-and-go operation. The shop has indoor seating where visitors can sit down, slow down, and actually enjoy their pie on the spot with a hot cup of coffee or another beverage from the available drink selection.
The seating area features a handful of large family-style tables that give the space a communal, unhurried feeling.
It is the kind of setup that encourages lingering over a second slice rather than rushing back to the car. Hot coffee is available to accompany the sweets, and fresh cream has been noted as part of the offering.
Outside seating has also been available at times, giving visitors the option to enjoy their pie in the open air when the weather cooperates.
The atmosphere inside leans warm and nostalgic, with decor that feels like a page from a simpler era. It genuinely feels like a place where time slows down just enough to make the pie taste even better.
Take-And-Bake Options To Go
Not everyone can eat their pie the same day they buy it, and Myrtle’s has a smart solution for that reality. The shop keeps a well-stocked freezer full of take-and-bake pies and quiches that customers can bring home and bake at their own convenience.
The frozen selection mirrors much of the variety found in the fresh display, covering both sweet pie flavors and savory quiche options.
This makes Myrtle’s a genuinely useful stop for stocking up rather than just sampling, especially for anyone making a longer drive and wanting to bring something home for family or coworkers.
Calling ahead to request a specific frozen flavor is a reliable strategy, since the freezer inventory can shift depending on what has been prepared that week.
Some visitors have been known to arrive with what amounts to a shopping list, picking up multiple pies to share with friends who could not make the trip themselves. Planning ahead pays off here.
Great Pie Without The Premium Price
For the level of care that goes into the pies at Myrtle’s, the prices feel pretty reasonable. It’s generally considered a moderate spot, so you’re not paying extra just for the setting or the small-town charm.
Slices are a nice option if you want to try a couple different flavors without committing to a whole pie. If you’re feeding a group, whole pies tend to offer solid value, especially considering everything is made from scratch.
That balance of quality and price is a big reason people turn to Myrtle’s for holidays and special occasions. It’s a way to bring something homemade and impressive to the table without spending a fortune, which is always a win.