Saturday, April 10, 2010

Wonkabout: An Urban Pie Oasis

Check out the review.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

The pie is very expensive and not that great yet. I hope it gets better/cheaper but the place is cool and does look nice.
-R

Anonymous said...

oh and ice cream would really help, vanilla goes great on a warm slice of apple pie.

Since it is so expensive how about a frequent shopper card, every 8th slice free?
-R

Anonymous said...

The pie is excellent and correctly priced for the quality ingredients, and portion size.I will be taking my box back and asking for a refill.


Cowboy quiche rules.

ro said...

the pie is awesome. live a little anon.

Peter L. said...

I rarely comment on the internet, but the author of the Wonkette post strkes me as an elitist, racist douche. "Open-air crack market"? What a horrible, useless piece of writing. Why even bother writing about a new establishment? Shameful.

Anonymous said...

I have to admit the prices seem outrageous and the reviews of the B-more location seem lukewarm and so I haven't actually be there, but the BYOV idea for sunday brunch just might be enough to tempt me. Great idea. Makes me nostalgic for Philadelphia's BYO tradition.

Anonymous said...

My wife and I went there last weekend, and both the pie and the people running the place are pretty awesome. I'll probably being going back there today.

-Ry

Dan said...

i paid $30 for a cowboy quiche last weekend. i was pretty pissed until i actually bit into the thing, and it was worth it.

i won't be eating there frequently (i enjoy making my own pies, it's actually the only baking i do) but the pies certainly are as good as money can buy

also, i agree with everything Peter L said. i'm vaguely furious right now

Anonymous said...

I have to agree about the wonk, you can tell that she has never crossed the North Capitol street line. Wish that I had never given her a click.

Anonymous said...

If you think that these pies are pricey, maybe you aren't a baker. DDP's are made from scratch - no mass-produced, frozen crusts that would allow them to cut prices. Fresh fruits and vegetables - not canned or frozen. That costs more than dumping "pie filling" into a crust. Check out the cost of 2 cups of pecans or 3 to 4 pounds of apples for a pie. Not cheap. Add the labor - they probably have to pay above minimum wage to get people who can make pies of that quality.
The average restaurant budgets about 1/3 of the menu price for the food costs. The rest pays staff, rent, taxes, insurance, government fees, utilities, renovation costs, advertising, repairs, cleaning, paper goods, and more. Profit margins are slim.
There's always frozen pies from Mrs. Smith or something from Safeway's bakery if you're not that picky.

Rob said...

Not quibbling with the comments who say the costs of the ingredients (plus rent, utilities, etc.) justify the pie/slice prices, but I do think the "Frequent Pie-er" idea's great.

So is the ice cream idea. Is the coffee from SOVA or Sidamo? Hmmm, and maybe those places could serve the pie?

Our n'hood rocks!

Anonymous said...

Pie shop is awesome. The new places opening up make me feel insecure about the pug's coolness factor. That wonkette seems kinda sucky, guess that's why i stick with ft for my blog needs. Pair an expensive piece of pie at DD with a cheap natty bo at the pug. Perfect nite on h.
Tonyt
the pug

M said...

Tried slices of the B-Bomb and Blueberry Crumble this weekend. So glad there were some options left on a Saturday evening and enjoyed every last bite.

TonyT, have no fear. Your coolness is eternal and I will continue to point out the Pug to newcomers of the neighborhood as a wonderful place to get a beer and have a chat with the locals. It's like H St's version of Cheers.

Anonymous said...

FWIW - my wife and I purchased 2 sweet pies last week (apple and coconut custard), and they were mediocre. Apple's crust was too doughy and the filling was too runny. The custard was way too sweet, though it had a good crust.

Given the fanatical devotion that many have to this place, I'm willing to give it another shot. But I'm not going to continue to pay 30$ for pie that is marginally better than Mrs. Smiths.

Anonymous said...

You guys need to stop.....If you dont like the place then dont spend your money there. I think people forget that you are paying for the convience and the experience of having a pie shop in our neighborhood. I have had better pies. However,I will support them because its such a cool addition to the neighborhood...rock on pie man .



5th street

diane said...

I had my first sample of their pie at the H St festival and thought it was great. After they opened we went over there and got three different slices of sweet pie, all were great. This last time when I got my usual pecan pie, it wasn't the same quality as the first two times. It looked as though the filling had "broken" and was runny in the box. It tasted okay, but sure didn't look okay.
I will go back, but it may be awhile before I do. $6 per slice is okay as long as the product is okay, but once the quality goes, that price is too much.