7 North Carolina Pie Shops That Taste Like They’re Straight From Grandma’s Kitchen
There’s something magical about pie that connects us to our roots.
I still remember my grandmother’s flaky crusts and bubbling fruit fillings that would perfume her entire house on Sunday afternoons.
Lucky for us North Carolinians, we don’t need a time machine to experience those nostalgic flavors.
From mountain towns to coastal communities, the Tar Heel State boasts incredible bakeries where traditional pie-making methods live on.
1. Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop: Cloud-Like Crusts And Southern Charm
My first bite of Buttermilk Sky’s signature I-40 pie transported me straight to my grandma’s Tennessee kitchen. The pecan-packed filling with just the right amount of chocolate and coconut nearly brought tears to my eyes!
What makes this place special isn’t just their perfectly flaky crusts or seasonal fruit pies that burst with flavor. It’s how they’ve managed to scale up without sacrificing that homemade quality. Each location feels like its own little slice of pie heaven.
Their thumb-pressed crust edges? That’s exactly how my nana finished her pies. No fancy crimping tools needed—just loving hands and generations of know-how baked into every single bite.
2. Slice Pie Company: Where Family Recipes Take Center Stage
“Would y’all like to sample our bourbon chocolate pecan today?” asked the friendly woman behind the counter during my first visit. One taste and I was hooked on Slice Pie Company’s charm.
Family-owned and operated in Raleigh, this gem started with a single cherished recipe and blossomed into a full-fledged pie paradise. Their signature move? Crafting everything from scratch daily, just like grandma would insist upon.
The chess pie here deserves special mention—creamy, sweet, with that characteristic slight crust on top that cracks perfectly under your fork. And don’t get me started on their seasonal offerings! Fall’s sweet potato pie would make any Southern grandmother nod in approval.
3. Carolina Pie Company: Lake Norman’s Hidden Treasure
Tucked away near Lake Norman, Carolina Pie Company became my weekend destination after a friend swore their apple crumb pie would change my life. She wasn’t exaggerating! The generous chunks of cinnamon-spiced apples beneath that buttery crumb topping had me plotting my next visit before I’d finished my first slice.
Owner Kathleen’s journey from home baker to pie shop proprietor mirrors so many grandmothers’ stories—recipes perfected over decades, shared with love. Her chicken pot pies sell out by noon most days, packed with tender meat and vegetables in a savory gravy that could cure any ailment.
Pro tip: call ahead to reserve holiday pies. I learned this lesson the hard way last Thanksgiving!
4. Scratch Baking: Durham’s Farm-To-Pie Phenomenon
The line outside Scratch on a Saturday morning might test your patience, but trust me—it’s worth every minute of waiting. I’ve stood in that line through summer heat and winter drizzle because what awaits inside is pure pie magic.
Owner Phoebe uses local ingredients in ways that honor both North Carolina’s agricultural bounty and time-honored baking traditions. Her lemon chess pie features citrus so bright it makes your cheeks pucker before the sweetness kicks in. The crust? Absolutely transcendent.
Farmers’ names appear on the chalkboard menu alongside pie varieties—a touching reminder that great pie connects us not just to family traditions but to our community. The seasonal fruit galettes are my personal weakness, especially when local peaches make their summer debut.
5. Baked Pie Company: Mountain Pies With Mile-High Meringue
The first time I walked into Baked Pie Company in Arden, I gasped audibly at their meringue—towering at least four inches high on their signature lemon pie! “That’s exactly how my granny made it,” I told the smiling baker, who nodded knowingly.
This cozy mountain shop offers a pie flight—yes, like beer flights but with PIE—featuring three different mini slices. Genius! It’s the perfect way to sample their incredible variety without committing to a full slice.
Their chocolate bourbon pecan has converted even my pie-skeptical friends. The boozy undertones complement the nuts perfectly without overwhelming. And the atmosphere? Pure Appalachian charm, complete with gingham curtains and mismatched vintage plates that could have come straight from grandma’s china cabinet.
6. The Worthy Baker: Handcrafted Pies With Modern Twists
“You’ve gotta try the salted honey pie,” urged my cousin when she heard I was visiting Asheville. Following her advice led me to The Worthy Baker, where tradition meets innovation in the most delicious ways.
Nestled in the Candler area, this bakery honors classic techniques while introducing subtle contemporary flavors. Their hand-rolled crusts shatter perfectly between your teeth before melting away. The filling-to-crust ratio? Absolutely perfect every single time.
Beyond their sweets, their savory hand pies make an ideal hiking companion for Blue Ridge adventures. I’ve tucked more than a few into my backpack before hitting the trails. The butternut squash and sage variety warms both hands and heart on chilly mountain mornings, reminding me of my grandmother’s kitchen while adding its own unique character.
7. MawMaw’s Chicken Pies: Savory Traditions In Kernersville
MawMaw’s doesn’t try to be fancy, and that’s precisely its charm. Walking in feels like entering a favorite aunt’s kitchen—warm, unpretentious, and smelling divine. Their chicken pies have sustained my family through countless illnesses, new babies, and hectic weeks when cooking seemed impossible.
Founded on a grandmother’s recipe (hence the perfect name), this Kernersville institution focuses on doing one thing exceptionally well. The golden crust encases tender chicken and rich gravy with no vegetables to “complicate things”—just like many Southern grandmothers prefer.
While they’ve expanded to offer a few fruit pies seasonally, the chicken pie remains the undisputed star. Take-and-bake options mean you can pull a hot pie from your own oven and momentarily convince dinner guests of your culinary prowess. I won’t tell if you don’t!