Milwaukee import Honeypie operates out of Beard & Belly in Edgewater with a rotating daily assortment of hand pies and slices of cream and fruit pies, and full pies are available with 48 hours notice. The Key lime and coffee cream are both outstanding.

Though the chocolate peanut butter has many local fans, Food & Wine hailed First Slice’s apple pie as one of the best in the country. The cafe also has a charity component, so eating all that pie supports a good cause. There are locations in Andersonville and Ravenswood Manor.

Eaters with certain dietary restrictions shouldn’t be prevented from enjoying pie. Defloured caters to people with celiac disease by making all of its products gluten-free. The pies, which must be ordered a week ahead of time, are available with fillings such as apple, cranberry, and pumpkin.

Pastries get the prestige they deserve at Daisies, Logan Square’s Midwestern dining destination that in 2023 moved down the street into a big, beautiful new space on Milwaukee Avenue. That’s due in large part to veteran pastry chef and partner Leigh Omilinsky, who is putting out decadent desserts like sugar cream pie with sweet cherries, creme fraiche, and black pepper.

A strong contender among Chicago’s premiere bakeries, Floriole underwent a temporary pandemic closure and significant remodel. Undaunted, chef and owner Sandra Holl came back swinging in 2021 with a dazzling array of breads, pastries, savory dishes, and pie specials such as coconut cream.

Vanille, with two locations, is an especially strong Thanksgiving choice with selections like apple streusel, American pecan, pumpkin, butterscotch cream, French chocolate, and hazelnut silk. Order at the bakery’s website.

It is definitely worth braving the ubiquitous line at Bang Bang to grab the honey pie with lavender sea salt if it’s available. Otherwise, go for one of the classics inside a graham cracker crust, the best in town. Bang Bang also serves “Frankenpies” made up of up to three different flavors for those who can’t make up their minds.

Chicago baking queen Mindy Segal made her many fans nervous in 2020 when she closed Hot Chocolate, her adored Bucktown restaurant, after 15 years. But those fears have since been more than assuaged with her follow-up spot, Mindy’s Bakery, where patrons form long lines for her bagels, doughnuts, and laminated pastries. Segal also features a rotating lineup of specials, which can include treats like six-inch strawberry and rhubarb pies.

With its antique soda fountain imported from Milwaukee to Humboldt Park, Spinning J capitalizes on nostalgia, and visitors may feel like they've stepped through a time warp — except that the bakers like to experiment with unusual flavor combinations, like gin and tonic and Key lime hibiscus.

The flaky and buttery crust is the star of the show at one of Chicago’s finest pie makers. The selection changes daily at both locations — West Town and suburban Evanston — so there’s always something new to try. But the one constant, the classic apple, might be the best apple pie in the city.

Pie, Pie My Darling, Chicago’s much-adored spot for vegan treats (often with gothic flair), offers a weekly rotating menu of pies and cakes exclusively for pre-order and pickup at its West Town shop. Keep track of options via Instagram and place orders online.

Stephanie Izard might be spending more time in LA these days, but her desserts are making a quiet comeback in Chicago. Beyond popping up periodically at the new Lakeview location of Little Goat Diner, for Thanksgiving, customers can pick up her pies at Duck Duck Goat, the Chinese-inspired restaurant in Fulton Market. Check Tock for details. And while Duck Duck won’t regularly stock the pies — check social media for when Sugargoat could pop-up at Little Goat in Lakeview.

Despite its name, this virtual bakery also makes and sells pies, for those who prefer their pastry with the filling enclosed. Place your order online, and they’ll deliver anywhere within 25 miles of downtown Chicago. Choices include apple, pecan, sweet potato, and brownie walnut.

Bronzeville pastry destination Eméché is arguably best known for its booze-infused cakes, but it also has excellent pie slices and mini pies well-suited to those who are looking for just a few bites. Pop into the charming shop for apple pie by the slice (including a vegan version) and wee Key lime pies, perhaps with a coffee to wash it all down.

This Greater Grand Crossing bakery specializes in sweet potato pies. Its “laser pie” features sweet potato squares dressed with chocolate, caramel, and nuts. The caramel is important: in 2015, burglars broke in and stole nearly 50 caramel-covered treats. Yes, it's that good.

The bean pie is a Chicago original, developed by members of the Nation of Islam to insure a long life. It’s traditionally made with pulverized navy beans, mixed with butter, sugar, eggs, evaporated milk, and spices, and baked in a whole wheat crust, though vegan varieties are now also available; its flavor profile is not unlike sweet potato pie. Imani’s Original has been selling bean pies around the city since 2005.