Chess pie is one of the South’s simplest desserts, usually just eggs, butter, and sugar in a flaky crust, yet somehow it keeps winning over every generation that tries it. Tennessee takes this humble pie seriously, and you can find great slices from the Smoky Mountain foothills all the way to the Mississippi River.
This list covers seven bakeries and pie shops across the state, from a downtown Franklin favorite and a Knoxville butcher shop turned burger spot to tiny four-inch pies near Chattanooga and blueberry chess in Nashville. Save it for your next road trip, or send it to the friend who always asks for the corner piece.
1. Merridee’s Breadbasket, Franklin, TN
Downtown Franklin has plenty of shops worth browsing, but Merridee’s Breadbasket is where a lot of people end up when the sweet tooth kicks in. The cafe sits at 110 4th Ave S, just steps from the heart of the historic district.
Regulars have been coming here since at least the late 1990s, which tells you a lot about staying power. The look is country-chic, and the menu leans on homemade soups, sandwiches, fresh breads, and a big case of desserts.
Chess pie is the star for this list, and it pairs nicely with one of the bakery’s cinnamon rolls if you are sharing. The dessert case also carries chess bars, peanut butter pie, and cookies, so there are options for the whole table.
If you come hungry, breakfast is a solid plan. Biscuits and gravy, the All American Biscuit, and a breakfast burrito are on the menu, and the cinnamon raisin bread is a good loaf to take home.
I like this stop for a slow Saturday, though that is also the busiest window. Hours change by day, with Tuesday closing at 3 PM and Friday and Saturday running until 6 PM, and the cafe is closed Sunday.
Free parking garages and street parking nearby make it easy, and there is a patio when the weather cooperates.
2. Litton’s, Knoxville, TN
A butcher shop is not where most people expect to find award-winning pie, and that is exactly what makes Litton’s so fun. The Knoxville spot on Essary Drive grew from its butcher roots into a burger and bakery favorite with a casual, historic feel.
Burgers and onion rings get plenty of attention, but save room. The pie lineup is the real reason this place made the list.
Chocolate chess pie is the one to order here. It takes the classic Southern custard filling and gives it a deep chocolate twist, which makes it a smart pick for anyone who finds regular chess pie a little too sweet.
Other slices worth a look include coconut cream, key lime, and a peanut butter cream pie topped with peanut butter powder. German chocolate cake and banana pudding round out the dessert case.
Plan around the schedule. Litton’s is open 11 AM to 3 PM on Monday and 11 AM to 8 PM Tuesday through Saturday, and it is closed Sunday.
Reservations are not accepted, and afternoons and evenings late in the week fill up fast. Families will find high chairs and a kids’ menu, and parking is usually easy to come by.
3. Julia’s Homestyle Bakery, Murfreesboro, TN
Chess squares are a big deal in Murfreesboro, and Julia’s Homestyle Bakery has built a loyal following around them. Longtime customers come back year after year just for those squares.
The shop sits on Medical Center Parkway, and it is best known for custom cakes made for birthdays, weddings, and just about every other occasion. Pies, cookies, and pastries fill out the case.
Chess pie comes in both slices and squares here, and the squares are the easiest way to grab a quick treat. Crust lovers tend to watch for the pieces with the most edge.
Strawberry cake is another popular choice, and the cupcake list gets creative. Look for flavors like chocolate truffle, red velvet, and a groom’s chocolate cupcake, plus butter cookies and funfetti cookies.
Staff can help if you are stuck between too many options, which happens easily here. Peanut butter pie is also on the menu for anyone who wants a second slice.
Julia’s is open 9 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 PM on Sunday. Saturdays are the busiest, so weekday mornings are a calmer time to stop by.
There is a free parking lot, but no public restroom, so plan accordingly.
4. Pie R Square, Red Bank, TN
Four inches might not sound like much, but at Pie R Square it is the perfect size for trying more than one flavor. The Red Bank shop bakes individual four-inch pies, so a box of assorted minis is basically a chess pie sampler.
You will find it at 4403 Dayton Blvd, just north of downtown Chattanooga. The pies are made right there in the shop.
Chess fans have real choices here. Lemon chess is a standout, and the case may also include chocolate chess and lemon blueberry chess, which is a fun spin on the classic.
Cream and custard pies share space with savory options like chicken pot pie, quiche, and meat pies. That makes it easy to pick up dinner and dessert in one stop.
The crust gets as much attention as the fillings, with a flaky, buttery texture. Other flavors that show up include cinnamon pecan, banana caramel, and lavender cream.
Hours are limited, so check before you drive. Pie R Square is open noon to 7 PM Wednesday through Saturday and closed the rest of the week.
Need a full-size pie for a gathering? The shop takes custom orders for nine-inch pies, and ordering ahead is a smart move for holidays.
5. Dozen Bakery, Nashville, TN
Blueberry chess pie is the kind of twist that makes a traditional baker raise an eyebrow, and then ask for a second slice. Dozen Bakery on Grandview Avenue in Nashville has made it one of its most talked-about pies.
The space is minimalist and counter-serve, with a focus on artisanal breads and sweets. Sourdough loaves, chocolate croissants, and cherry cornmeal scones share the spotlight with a rotating pie lineup.
Beyond blueberry chess, look for flavors like coffee toffee, chocolate creme, and butterscotch pecan. The pies strike a nice balance between texture and filling, so no slice feels heavy.
Not in a sweet mood? Dozen also serves breakfast fare and sandwiches, which makes it a good morning stop before a day around town.
Hours run 7 AM to 4 PM on weekdays and 7 AM to 3 PM on weekends. Weekend mornings and Friday mornings are the busiest, so arrive early if you have your heart set on a specific pie.
Free parking, wi-fi, and a gender-neutral restroom make it an easy place to linger with coffee.
6. O’ Taste and See Pies and Quiche, Memphis, TN
Memphis is famous for barbecue, but the dessert scene deserves some credit too. O’ Taste and See Pies and Quiche on East Brooks Road is a casual spot built around homemade pies, cakes, and savory quiche.
Chess pie is a favorite here, and it often edges out the key lime as the top pick. That says a lot, since the key lime has a strong following of its own.
The pie list leans classic Southern. Sweet potato and pecan pies sit alongside chess, while the cake side includes coconut pineapple cake and banana pecan cake.
Savory options make it more than a dessert run. Quiche, sandwiches, and burgers are on the menu, so you can turn a pie stop into a full meal.
Takeout and delivery are both available. The shop keeps its latest updates on its Facebook page, so check there for current hours before heading out.
I would save this one for a holiday gathering or any time you need a whole pie to impress a crowd. Grabbing a chess and a sweet potato together is a very Memphis way to cover all the bases.
7. Baked on 8th, Nashville, TN
Some people want a full slice, and some people just want a chess square they can eat on the walk back to the car. Baked on 8th handles the second group beautifully.
The bakery sits at 1512 8th Ave S in Nashville, in a simple storefront with a trendy look. Custom cakes and cookies are a big part of the business, but the everyday case is where the fun happens.
Chess squares are soft, rich, and a top seller. Lemon bars bring a tart contrast if you want to mix things up.
Oatmeal cream pies are a playful grab, and strawberry cake and Jewish apple cake are also worth a look. Banana cream pie shows up too, along with gluten-free options for friends with dietary needs.
This is mostly a grab-and-go stop, which makes it easy to pick up treats for the office or a party. Scones and coffee help turn it into a morning stop as well.
Baked on 8th is open 8 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday and 10 AM to 4 PM on Sunday. Friday and Saturday mornings get busy, so a weekday evening visit is usually quicker.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.