Every November, a quiet race starts across Washington, and it has nothing to do with turkeys. Smart pie lovers call their favorite bakery early, pick a flavor, and lock in a pickup time before the holiday rush fills the schedule.
The six shops on this list are the places that keep showing up on Thanksgiving tables, from a small-town Main Street spot in Snohomish to an island bakery on Whidbey and a busy corner in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. Some lean classic with apple and pecan, while others get playful with black sesame or chocolate caramel pecan.
If homemade crust is not on your to-do list this year, these bakers have you covered, as long as you plan ahead.
1. Snohomish Pie Co- Snohomish, Snohomish, WA
Some families have a Thanksgiving tradition of watching football. Others have a tradition of picking up pies on First Street in Snohomish, year after year after year.
The original Snohomish Pie Co sits at 915 1st St in the town’s historic downtown, and the setting fits the product. Inside, the bakery-cafe has an old-fashioned look, with sweet pies in the case and sandwiches for anyone who needs lunch before dessert.
The pie lineup covers the holiday basics and then some. Apple, chocolate pecan, marionberry, raspberry, and strawberry rhubarb all appear on the menu, along with cream pies such as marionberry cream and raspberry cream.
The pecan pie is known for a crisp nut topping, and the crust on the fruit and cream pies leans flaky. Whole pies are available, which is exactly what holiday planners are after.
Here is a fun extra: the shop also blends a Cherry Pie Shake. It is not a Thanksgiving centerpiece, but it is a fine reward for getting your order in early.
Hours run 10 AM to 6 PM Monday through Saturday and 10 AM to 5 PM on Sunday. Weekend afternoons get busy, so a weekday morning call or visit is the easier way to place a holiday order.
Free street parking and on-site parking help, too.
2. Birdie’s Pie Shop – Spokane, Spokane, WA
Apple cider pie. If that phrase alone makes you want to call Spokane, you are in good company.
Birdie’s Pie Shop on North Monroe Street focuses on handmade pies, both sweet and savory. That second category matters more than people think, since a savory pie can cover lunch while you pick up your holiday dessert.
For Thanksgiving, the shop is a go-to for full pies ordered in advance. Pecan and apple cider pie are popular holiday picks, and classic apple holds its own spot on the menu.
Prices are friendly, and the space is set up for a quick stop with coffee, free Wi-Fi, and a gender-neutral restroom. The shop is LGBTQ+ friendly and has a relaxed neighborhood feel.
Plan around the schedule. Birdie’s is open 10 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Thursday, stays open until 8 PM on Friday, closes at 4 PM Saturday, and takes Sunday off.
I would save Friday evening for a casual slice and use a quieter weekday to sort out the holiday order. Street parking is available, with both free and paid options nearby.
3. Whidbey Pies Pie Shop, Langley, WA
Ordering a pie that requires a ferry ride or a scenic drive up the island is a commitment. On Whidbey, plenty of people make it anyway.
Whidbey Pies is a family-owned shop at 111 Anthes Ave in Langley, the small seaside town on the south end of the island. The focus is handmade fruit pies, and the crust gets a lot of attention for being rich, flaky, and not overly sweet.
Cherry pie is a standout, made with real sour cherries. Strawberry rhubarb is another regular, and scones show up alongside the pies.
For Thanksgiving, the marionberry pie earns its spot at the center of the table. The shop also has a smooth holiday system, with orders boxed and ready the day before the big meal.
That day-before pickup is a real advantage for island travelers juggling ferries and family plans. The shop is LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safe space.
Check the calendar before you go. Whidbey Pies is closed on Tuesdays, open 11 AM to 4 PM most days, and stays open until 5 PM on Friday and Saturday.
4. A la Mode Pies West Seattle, Seattle, WA
Traditional or unusual. At A la Mode Pies, you do not have to choose, and that is the whole charm.
The West Seattle shop on SW Alaska Street mixes classics with more creative flavors. French apple, key lime, and raspberry crumble share the menu with marionberry hazelnut, cookies and cream, toasted coconut cream, and Mexican chocolate silk.
The chocolate caramel pecan pie has a serious following. Hand pies, including chicken pot pie versions, make it easy to grab a savory bite too.
Come fall, a Holiday Pumpkin Pie joins the lineup, and longtime customers come back for their Thanksgiving orders season after season. It makes sense for a shop whose name practically asks for a scoop on top, since hand-churned ice cream is part of the menu.
A la Mode also keeps longer hours than most bakeries. It opens at 10 AM daily and stays open until 9 PM most nights, or 10 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Delivery is available, which is handy for busy holiday weeks. Weekend evenings get crowded, so Monday morning is the calmest time to stop in.
5. Snohomish Pie Company – Mountlake Terrace, Mountlake Terrace, WA
Love the Snohomish pies but not the drive to Snohomish? The Mountlake Terrace location brings the same name closer to the south Snohomish County and north Seattle crowd.
Found at 5602 232nd St SW, this shop serves scratch-made pies, cookies, and signature pie shakes. The menu includes chocolate pecan, cherry, raspberry, apple berry crumble, and strawberry berry crumble.
The chocolate pecan pie has a warm, brownie-like quality, and the pecan praline pie is another favorite. The crust leans flaky and buttery.
One practical note for holiday shoppers: hours are 10 AM to 6 PM Monday through Saturday and 10 AM to 5 PM on Sunday. That schedule can be tricky for nine-to-five workers, which is exactly why ordering a Thanksgiving pie ahead and planning the pickup makes sense.
A parking lot on site makes the grab-and-go part simple. Inside, the space is relaxed and homey, with dine-in seating if you want a slice while you wait.
6. Pie Bird Bakeshop, Seattle, WA
Black sesame pie on a Thanksgiving table might raise a few eyebrows at first. By the second slice, nobody is asking questions.
Pie Bird Bakeshop sits on NW Market Street in Ballard, one of Seattle’s busiest neighborhood strips. The bakery turns out sweet pies and savory quiches, plus chicken pot pie, cinnamon rolls, and a chocolate orange babka.
For the holiday, the classics carry the weight. The pumpkin pie is known for its well-balanced spice, and pecan is a fall favorite.
The shop also handles larger orders, with pies that hold up well for group gatherings. If you want a conversation starter, passion fruit meringue or black sesame make a bold addition next to the pumpkin.
Pie Bird keeps generous hours, open 10 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and 10 AM to 7 PM on Sunday. Sundays tend to be the quietest day, which makes them a smart time to sort out a holiday order.
Parking is paid street parking, so build in a few extra minutes in Ballard. Delivery is also an option.
From small-town Snohomish to the island streets of Langley, these six shops prove that the best Thanksgiving dessert usually starts with an early phone call. Pick your favorite, place that order, and save room.
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