The Best Pie In North Carolina, South Carolina, And Every Other State

Pie is better than cake. That's a hill I'll die on. I know I'm not alone in that opinion. When Sara and I were planning our wedding, the wedding planner asked what kind of groom's cake I'd like. I said, "Pie!" And I received many compliments for that decision at our reception.

There's really not a pie that I don't like. Cherry, apple, rhubarb, chess, chicken pot. Heck, I'm even down for a good quiche. That counts as a pie, doesn't it? This is another reason Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It's the ultimate occasion for pie. But who makes the best pie around?

Someone at Food & Wine clearly loves pie as much as I do because the magazine hunted down the preferred pies in each state. In North Carolina, they like the chocolate chess pie at Raleigh's iconic Angus Barn steakhouse. The restaurant makes over 100 per day. Slice Pie Company, also in Raleigh, makes its own version. Theirs is a double chocolate chess pie topped with chocolate ganache.

South Carolina gets two mentions in Food & Wine's pie piece. The first is Priester Pies in Fort Mill for their sweet potato pie, which is available in vegan or non-vegan versions.  with just a hint of lemon is a wise idea. The other is on Johns Island in the Lowcountry, where Stono Market and Tomato Shed Cafe makes a savory tomato pie, which is described as being "almost like a casserole." I think casseroles are also better than cake.

If you're traveling beyond the Carolinas this holiday season and want to find the best pies in other states, check out the rest of the list HERE.