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Best Thanksgiving Pies In LA

Aerial view of a table with pumpkin pie and dessert plates

For Angelenos especially, Thanksgiving is a time of finding much of the best of what the city has to offer. As soon as residents step foot outside of Los Angeles' apartments for rent, they'll see the city alight with the holiday buzz. Where's the best place to get a that holiday turkey? Who's got the best recipes for the Thanksgiving feast? What about decorating? One thing that you'll need to be sure doesn't get lost in the "best-of shuffle," though, is finding the right Thanksgiving dessert to use as the proverbial "cherry on top" of such a wonderful holiday. If you're a fan of pie, you've got options, and we'd like to help you narrow that list down to the best Thanksgiving pies in LA. Here are some spots to keep on your radar.

Selecting Your Ideal Pie Flavor

First and foremost, you'll need to know which pie variety you're after. There are a great many pies considered contenders for the top spot on Thanksgiving. It's a long list to comb over, but thankfully, Business Insider has narrowed it down further to the top ten, chocked full of the holiday classics:

  • Cherry Pie
  • Lemon Meringue Pie
  • Sweet Potato Pie
  • Coconut Cream Pie
  • Banana Cream Pie
  • Chocolate Pie
  • Apple Pie
  • Pecan Pie
  • Pumpkin Pie
  • Chocolate Pecan Pie

Why these varieties? Some, like pumpkin pie, have an obvious connection with the holiday. During fall, pumpkin mania is in full-swing, and with that comes the array of pumpkin-themed everything (including pie). Other entries, like apple pie, are American classics, deserving of a spot on near every best-of pie listing. Since apples are in season during Thanksgiving time, that adds to their sumptuous goodness. Then you have your team-up options, like chocolate pecan. In this case, it's one of those situations where two relatively acceptable options come together to make something even more fantastic than either part of the whole could achieve on their own. Think "Sam & Dave" or "Tango & Cash" and you'll get the thrust of the argument.

With the pie varieties now squared away, you'll have to choose your method of procurement. One option available to the skilled bakers out there is the DIY route. Go grab the necessary ingredients from the store, along with a solid recipe that will ensure a superb finished product, then have at it. For those less inclined to get dirty in the kitchen, though, a jaunt into the city will be necessary to find a pie provider that will supply your fix. Thankfully, LA has that covered as well.

Narrowing Down Your LA Options

There's no shortage of places to get great pies around the city. Both The L.A. Times and Eater have highlighted hotspots around the city. At these restaurants, the ingredients are the freshest, the bakers the brightest, and the pies are the most delectable. The one you settle on will depend on what kind of pie you're looking for in particular, but you can rest assured you'll be getting a quality pie no matter which spot you select from the bunch.

Friends & Family

Topping both lists is Friends & Family, and for good reason. The Hollywood Boulevard eatery has been featured in numerous other publications, including LA Weekly, Thrillist, and Los Angeles Magazine, and are well-known for their ability to bake up a storm. For Thanksgiving, they've got five specialty pies on deck: the pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pie, chocolate cheese pie, and the wheat-free apple cranberry pie. Of particular note here are the pumpkin and chocolate cheese varieties, but everything tastes good and can be ordered in advanced for easy Thanksgiving day pickup (or delivery).

Beyond that, they've got a whole Thanksgiving Menu ready for hungry guests, which, in addition to other fine holiday deserts like ice cream and cakes, contains its fair share of side dishes, salads, snacks, bread, and meat roasts. For a great combination, try the white cheddar biscuits with a pork loin roast and a side of roasted sweet potatoes, then finish off the meal with a delicious slice of that sweet pumpkin pie.

Southern Girl Desserts

For a taste of that down-south "sugah," Southern Girl Desserts delivers in peerless fashion. Co-owners Catarah Hampshire and Shoneji Robison set about on a mission to bring southern hospitality to the West Coast, and succeeded with their popular dessert spot. You may well have seen them featured on Cupcake Wars or receiving generous praise in the press, but for Thanksgiving, you'll for sure want to check out their delectable pie varieties.

The specialties here are sweet potato and pecan pie, two southern-style delicacies that few can resist. They've got more than pies in their arsenal, though, if you're so inclined. If you need some more sweets to supply your Thanksgiving feast, be sure to check out the peach cobbler, banna pudding, cookies, and multiple cake selections to stock your dessert table to the brim.

The Pie Hole

For a good slice (or whole pie) right in downtown, you'll do well to check out The Pie Hole. Their motto is "happiness, one slice at a time," and on this front, they certainly deliver. They've got pies across the spectrum, from pecan to pumpkin, and they've all got a taste that will leave you wanting just a little bit more. For Thanksgiving, they've gone through the trouble of baking extra pies for walk-in customers, you need only get down there, pick out your favorite, and return to your Thanksgiving spread a hero. You can't go wrong with any choice here, so be sure to peruse the menu in detail to find the pie that speaks to you.

Enjoying Thanksgiving In Los Angeles' Apartments For Rent

With dessert in hand, you'll be ready to get the Thanksgiving show on the road. You'll need a place to celebrate, though, and for intimate gatherings, no option is better than The Madrid. This beautiful rental community, right near Los Angeles' Westchester neighborhood, provides residents with the spacious living arrangements they desire and the right amenities for maximum comfort and convenience. Take a look at The Madrid today, and make it your choice for optimal happiness in the confines of beautiful Los Angeles.