Joe’s Pie Shop

            Adele sings beautiful art out of her pain for others pleasure. The waitress at Joe’s Pie Shop does the same with her flaky crust.

            The Southern diner off Highway 27 is a living, breathing Edward Hopper painting with seasonal bespoke pies reflecting the pastry chef’s mood.

            The difference between a pie, tart, quiche, cheesecake, cobbler, and strudel are blurred inside Joe’s. As long as there’s a solid golden brown crimpled crust and a flavorful filling, patrons could care less.

            Don’t ask about the titles of the sweets. Simply order a slice and then say, “May I please have another?” “The Bad Baby Pie”, also called, “I Don’t Want Earl’s Baby,” is a savory quiche, like a giant baked omelet. Brie cheese blankets a mechanically stable crust and never meshes with the egg and ham mixture. It’s prettier and more delicate than a frittata.

            Pie names can get downright nasty and dirty. People have eaten, “Old Joe’s Horny Past Pie,” as well as the "Baby Screaming Its Head Off in the Middle of the Night and Ruining My Life Pie,” which is more of an airy mile high cheesecake with a brandy and pecan topping.  Crowd-pleasing favorites are the "Pregnant, Miserable, Self-Pitying Loser Pie,” and "Earl Murders Me 'Cause I'm Having an Affair Pie. "    

            Strawberry Chocolate Oasis pie is a tart. The Oreo crust has no height limits. A melted bittersweet chocolate ganache mixture contains hints of espresso, all spice, and cinnamon. It’s decorated with a semisweet chocolate icing and identical springtime strawberry slices.

            All crusts at Joe’s Pie Shop are put together with butter. No lard or shortening. The reason is for color rather than texture and taste.

            Marshmallow Mermaid is the blue ribbon contest winner and deserves a chance to compete against the best in Los Angeles’ own pie contest hosted by KCRW’s Evan Kleiman. It’s a custardy coconut cream pie that’s kid friendly with its green food coloring infusion and perfectly placed Jet-Puff Fun Mallows.

            And though the names might seem exotic and be the best sellers, the apple pie scent always wafts and is served with a slice of melted cheddar.

Joe’s Pie Shop

ATMOSPHERE: Old timers and men who have a thing for the wait staff flirt, complain, and try to spit game while doing their favorite past time activity, eat pie.

SERVICE:  All depends on the staff’s mood and if they like you or not.

SOUND LEVEL:  Quiet and calm, except for the occasional cantankerous curmudgeon, charming doctor, or abusive husband.

RECOMMENDED:  Marshmallow Mermaid Pie

DRINKS AND WINE:  Coffee

PRICES: $3-$10

OPEN: 7 days a week from 7am to 9pm

RESERVATIONS:  No

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS:  Yes

Wi-Fi:  No

Restrooms: Yes