Good news: there’s an extra excuse to eat pie this week. Friday is Pi Day.
Pi, the mathematical constant in math which represents the ratio between a circle’s circumference to its diameter, is commonly approximated to 3.14.
In 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution declaring March 14 National Pi Day.
Since then, it’s become a day when math classes have round snacks, bakeries step up their pie game and people have a reason to partake in sweet and sometimes savory treats.
From local restaurant to pop up bakeries, The Advocate's features team has located some of the best pies in the city. Here are places you can get your pie fix in Baton Rouge, circular or not.
3851 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd.
If stopping for lunch at Pho Cafe, try a slice of apple or key lime pie made by Elle Vong, the 16-year-old member of the owner’s extended family. The pies are served cold or can be reheated in the air fryer if one has five minutes to spare. The pies are made from scratch and available every day.
The apple pie is delightfully tart and densely packed, and the Cinnamoroll character detail on every slice is a nice touch. (Serena Puang, staff writer)
2678 Government St. and 227 Florida St.
Since 2024, Mid-City Bakery has been popping up and bringing baked goods to Baton Rouge. According to owner Kimberly Fansler, their hand pies are the first product that people really responded positively to. The apple flavor is based on Fansler’s grandfather’s apple pie recipe which he made for Thanksgiving every year.
“It's nice to be able to pay homage to him in that,” she said.
The hand pies are very time and labor intensive products, so they're not always available, but the taste is worth it. The hand pies are beautifully constructed, and the crust was crisp and layered perfectly. For Pi Day, Mid-City bakery plans to have apple, cherry, ham and cheese, chicken vegetable and potato leek pies available at House Brew located in front of Pelican to Mars and House Brew’s new location on Florida Street. (Serena Puang, staff writer)
3145 Government St.
Elsie’s Plate and Pie is a staple of the pie scene in Baton Rouge. From classic apple pie a la mode to their selection of savory pies, the selection at Elsie’s has a little bit for everyone with a laid back vibe. It’s a great place to hang out with friends, even if you’re not in the mood for pie.
A standout savory pie is the crustless crab pie which features blue crab, cheese and diced tomatoes. According to Fansler, the s'mores pie is a personal favorite — maybe even her favorite pie ever. (Serena Puang, staff writer)
4215 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd.
On a cold day in February, walking into The Smiling Dog and finding a roaring fire beside a traditional red English phone booth was a surprise. The place has a distinctive pub feel and fare — down to its shepherd's pie, which was topped with melted cheese over a generous layer of mashed potatoes atop a beef and vegetable medley in a delicious gravy.
The other "pie" on their menu is chicken pot pie, which is topped with a large puff pastry square. Its filling is rich and creamy chicken stock with all the right vegetables.
Both of these savory pies are the kinds of dishes perfect for a rainy day.
The Smiling Dog is dog friendly and the perfect place to watch Manchester United play Liverpool or Chelsea. (Jan Risher, Louisiana culture editor)
16645 Highland Road
A Baton Rouge institution since 1996, French Market Bistro has evolved and grown over the years, but this slice of pie has remained a constant dessert favorite since its opening. The Louisiana Lust pie not only has a memorable name, but its flavor also will not be forgotten. With a combination of chocolate chip, Frangelico — a hazelnut liqueur — and pecan pie, this slice is served warm with chocolate glaze and garnished with a fresh strawberry.
The Louisiana Lust pie is rich and sweet, perfect for chocolate lovers and cookie fans. There's an upscale chocolate chip cookie dough vibe that's unique to the pie. (Joy Holden, Louisiana Inspired coordinator)
3357 Highland Road and 10870 Coursey Blvd.
The dessert section of the Chimes’ Cajun/Creole menu features key lime pie by the slice. Upon ordering, the server warned that the slice might be smaller than anticipated with the apologetic tone of someone who had endured complaints. The slice turned out to be diminutive, but not disappointing.
The taste is good, but key lime pie purists may find it to be a sweeter take on the key lime pie — kind of more like a lemon bar with a creamy texture. (Serena Puang, staff writer)
4142 Government St.
On any given day, there are an array of pies to pick up at Calandro's. There are the typical choices available: chocolate, lemon and pecan.
For something different, the homemade banana cream pie is not to be missed. At first glance, the container for the dessert may be reminiscent of banana pudding. However, when cut into, there are three distinct layers: a bottom crust, banana filling and meringue.
The crust of the pie tastes more like a graham cracker, cheesecake-like crust more than a "normal" pie crust. The filling is sweet, but not too sweet, and there aren't any chunks of banana.
Every bite is so delectable that it's hard not to eat the whole thing in one sitting. (Lauren Cheramie, features coordinator)
8 a.m. to noon Thursdays at 6400 Perkins Road and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at 5th and Main streets
The Red Stick Farmer's Market has several locations throughout the week, and the Rev. Junius Dillard, known as "The Teacake Man," attends them on Thursdays and Saturdays to sell his famous teacakes and sweet potato hand pies.
The sweet potato hand pie is decent-sized, soft, perfect pastry with crunchy edges. The filling is fresh sweet potato filling, slightly sweetened and gently spiced — a delicious complement to the pie crust. Flavorful and made with a generations-old recipe, this sweet potato hand pie is worth tracking down at one of Baton Rouge's Red Stick Farmer's Markets. (Joy Holden, Louisiana Inspired coordinator)