PieQuest I: Uncle Bill's

[semperfiona]

In emulation of beckyzoole's ReubenQuest, I bring you PieQuest.

I have mentioned here before that I am a big fan of pie. All of us here at Rivendell are, to tell the truth. But after the lamentable demise of Tippin's and the continued absence of Poppin' Fresh aka Baker's Square, a good pie is hard to find. (A hard pie is NOT good to find, in case you were wondering.)

We've tried a few places; diners and family restaurants seem to have pie available more often than more formal (or more expensive) locations. Tonight, lavendargrrl and I went to Uncle Bill's in the hopes that they might serve pie. And indeed, they do. "Pie of the day" it says on the menu.

Today, at least, that translated into two varieties: apple and cherry. We each ordered cherry. They looked storebought, but were served hot, mine with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cherries were nice and tart, but there was more glaze than cherries. I continue to struggle to describe the crust. "Bready" is the best I could do. It wasn't doughy, it was cooked quite done, but did not have that characteristic flaky goodness that true pie pastry must have.

I can't even imagine how to achieve the consistency their crust had. Perhaps by melting the butter/shortening into the flour or creaming it as for cookies, rather than cutting it in and leaving small shortening pellets in the flour mixture.

Rating: Adequate.

I think we'll keep trying, but honestly, it would really serve us all better if I'd just bake more pies myself. More varieties available. Better crust. Fresher. I was reminiscing to Tammie about the lovely peach-blueberry-bing cherry pie my mother used to make, and the Hawaiian Strawberry, and and and...And I can do just as well at pie making as she does, but I--as we have previously established--am a lazy ass.

Comments

[tempesttea.livejournal.com]

Drew loves pie, if you find something yummy you should compare notes with her.

[gremlin44.livejournal.com]

I loved Tippins....there was one right near where we lived last.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/483493

[semperfiona]

Cool, thanks!

[reannon.livejournal.com]

The Pie Pantry in Belleville!
Cane Bottom in Alton!
My Just Desserts in Grafton!

You can't give up until you try these slices of heaven. Allow me to PERSONALLY guide you. Nom nom nom.

[semperfiona]

Nobody said anything about giving up, believe me! Just that pie making at home would *also* be a goodness.

I will definitely allow you to guide me to these delights. ;-)