Two days before Thanksgiving, one Ohio pie shop sold out of pumpkin pecan and cream pies three hours after opening.
Then there’s the counter that was reportedly empty by 10 a.m., which is earlier than most of us finish our coffee.
Folks line up for these pies like they’re concert tickets. One bakery had a line on the Tuesday before the holiday, and the shelves were bare soon after.
Some of these kitchens have fed families for generations. One traces its roots back more than a century, so it’s had plenty of practice with holiday panic.
Pick a bakery early, call ahead, and book that pie like a dinner reservation. Wait until Wednesday afternoon, and you might be serving the family a very sincere apology instead.
1. Resch’s Bakery
Back in 1912, German immigrants Wilhelm and Frank Resch started a bakery in Columbus. More than a century later, the family is still rolling out pie dough, now across six generations.
That kind of staying power is rare. The Gahanna location keeps the old-school spirit alive in a quaint storefront packed with cakes, breads, donuts, and desserts.
Thanksgiving is where this place really shines. The holiday lineup has included Cherry, Cinnamon Apple, Dutch Apple, Dutch Cherry, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, and Pecan.
Need rolls for the table too? Resch’s prepares dinner rolls and other holiday desserts, so one stop could cover a big chunk of your feast.
Here’s the part you shouldn’t skip. Thanksgiving pie orders must be placed in person or by phone, because email orders aren’t accepted.
Changing your mind about pumpkin versus pecan? You’ll need to give at least 72 hours’ notice before pickup for changes or cancellations.
Custom orders are paid in full when you place them. That makes it smart to know your headcount before you call.
While you’re at the counter, a jelly-filled donut might sneak into your bag. Nobody has to know, and the bakery serves coffee to go with it.
Hours run Monday through Saturday, with Saturdays wrapping up in the afternoon. Saturday mornings get busy, so weekday visits can make life easier.
For a pie with a family story baked right in, this Ohio classic is hard to top.
Address: 150 N Hamilton Rd, Gahanna, OH 43230
2. Mehaffies Pies
Standing in line on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, only to find empty shelves, is a special kind of heartbreak. At this Dayton pie shop, that has actually happened.
Why the frenzy? The bakery specializes in a wide variety of fresh pies and cheesecakes, and the selection keeps people coming back.
The chocolate pie earns serious love here. Strawberry pie gets plenty of attention too, especially for anyone who likes fruit with a bright, fresh feel.
Old-school flavors show up in the case as well. Look for options like sweet cream, apple, peach, custard, and raisin, plus cheesecake for the non-pie rebel at your table.
Value is another big draw. These pies are known as a good deal, which might explain why the holiday crowd gets so large.
So what’s your game plan? Call well ahead of Thanksgiving week and ask exactly how and when holiday pies will be available.
Don’t assume a morning walk-in will save you. Pre-holiday demand can wipe out stock before you even reach the counter.
The shop is open Monday through Saturday and closed Sundays. Friday and Saturday afternoons tend to be the busiest stretches of the week.
The staff is known for being friendly and helpful, which counts for a lot during a pie rush. There’s no dine-in, so this is strictly a grab-and-go mission.
Pick your flavor, lock in your order, and enjoy being the hero of dessert.
Address: 3013 Linden Ave, Dayton, OH 45410
3. Gardner Pie Co
Some bakeries dabble in pie. Gardner Pie Co in Akron makes pie the whole point, working as a dedicated pie maker and shop.
That focus pays off. Fans describe the pies as full of flavor, made with fresh ingredients, and sweet without going overboard.
When Thanksgiving rolls around, the shop opens advance ordering for holiday pies, with a deadline and designated pickup dates.
The same goes for Christmas, so you can plan both holidays from one counter.
Peach and apple pies have both landed on Thanksgiving tables with big success. Peach in November might sound unusual, but it’s a fun twist on the usual pumpkin parade.
Timing is the tricky part here. Weekday hours end in the afternoon, and Saturday hours wrap up at noon.
Sundays are closed, so a Sunday pie run won’t work. Treat Saturday morning as a short window and don’t sleep in.
Interestingly, the busiest times tend to land Monday through Thursday. Saturday morning is usually the quietest stretch, which is handy if you’re picking up a pre-order.
The shop offers no delivery, so plan on making the drive yourself. A free parking lot makes the quick stop less stressful.
Got a big family gathering? Ordering several flavors gives everyone a choice and keeps the dessert table from looking lonely.
Call early, name your pies, and mark your pickup on the calendar. Your Ohio Thanksgiving will taste better for it.
Address: 191 Logan Pkwy, Akron, OH 44319
4. The Witten Farm Market & Bakery
Shopping for squash and pie in the same trip just feels right in November. This Columbus farm market sells local produce and fresh-baked pies all year long.
You might also hear it called Smith Farm Market. Either way, the pie counter is the reason it belongs on your holiday radar.
Pies here are baked fresh daily, and you can pre-order your holiday favorites to make sure you don’t miss out. Fans place orders for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, turning it into a holiday tradition.
Some shoppers only discover the place while hunting for a last-minute Thanksgiving pie. Don’t be that person scrambling online the week of the feast.
Since holiday pies are in high demand, ordering early is your best strategy. Ask about holiday timing and pickup before the rush kicks in.
While you wait for pie day, the market itself is worth a browse. Fresh local produce can round out your side dishes, from the vegetable tray to the salad bowl.
Hours are generous compared to many bakeries. The market stays open seven days a week, including Sundays.
Weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds. Weekday mornings tend to be much quieter, which is perfect for a calm pickup.
Bonus points for having a restroom on site. That’s not a given at most pie shops, and it matters when you’re hauling kids around.
Free parking makes the stop easy. Grab your pie, maybe a bag of produce, and head home looking very organized.
Address: 3341 Winchester Pike, Columbus, OH 43232
5. Just Pies Inc
A shop named Just Pies doesn’t leave much room for confusion. You come here for pie, and you’d better come early.
This family-owned bakeshop turns out homemade pies in fruit, cream, and seasonal flavors. The list runs long, with options like Buckeye Cream, Key Lime, Apple, Cherry, and Pecan.
Meringue fans get plenty of love too. Chocolate, Lemon, and Coconut Meringue have all appeared on the lineup, along with Chocolate Chess and Lemon Ice Box.
Craving something less traditional? Fun flavors like Peach Riot, Apple Crumble, and Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookie have also shown up here.
Now for the warning label. Two days before Thanksgiving, pumpkin pecan and cream pies have disappeared about three hours after opening.
Some years, the shelves have reportedly emptied by 10 a.m. during that pre-holiday rush. That’s faster than most people finish their first cup of coffee.
Holiday pies here are in high demand, and orders close ahead of Thanksgiving, so timing matters. Your best move is to call ahead well before the big week and ask about holiday ordering.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, with Sundays and Mondays closed. Fridays and Saturdays get busy, while Tuesday and Thursday mornings tend to be calmer.
The shop also offers curbside pickup, which feels like a gift when the lot fills up. There’s no dine-in, so plan to grab your pie and head home.
Savory eaters, don’t leave empty-handed. Pot pies are part of the menu too, which means dinner and dessert can come from the same Westerville stop.
Address: 736 Northfield Rd #1, Westerville, OH 43082
6. Mama Jo Homestyle Pies
More than 35 pie flavors live under one roof in Amherst. Choosing just one for Thanksgiving might be the hardest decision you make all month.
Mama Jo Homestyle Pies bakes scratch-made pies and fresh fruit-filled strudels. The bakery also makes cookies and cakes, all without preservatives.
Pumpkin pie is available year-round, which feels like a public service. Other options include Strawberry Rhubarb, Caramel Apple Walnut, Elderberry, French Silk, and Buckeye.
Cream pie fans should look at Coconut Cream and Banana Cream. The strawberry cream cheese pie also has a loyal following.
Here’s a fun detail. Fruit pies can come with a double crust, crumb topping, or lattice, so you get to customize the top.
Awards back up the hype too. The bakery earned Best Pie and Best Dessert honors from The Morning Journal from 2018 to 2021, plus Best Pie from Scene Magazine in 2017.
Pies have been available the day before Thanksgiving even without an order. Still, betting your dessert on luck is a risky move.
The smarter path is to pre-order for pickup. The bakery encourages ordering fresh fruit and cream pies ahead of time.
Weekends get busy, especially Friday through Sunday afternoons. Weekday mornings are usually quieter for a smooth pickup.
With this many flavors, maybe bring two pies home. Call it research for next year.
Address: 1969 Cooper Foster Park Rd, Amherst, OH 44001
7. Wixey Bakery
Doors open at 6 a.m. at this Toledo bakery, so early birds get first dibs. That’s handy when holiday pie season starts heating up.
Wixey Bakery is a longtime, family-owned operation. The shelves hold bread and goodies ranging from donuts to wedding cakes.
Pies hold their own in that lineup. Banana cream and chocolate peanut butter pies have both been big hits as Thanksgiving orders.
Blueberry pie also earns praise here. If your family likes fruit over cream, that one deserves a spot on your list.
One tip before you call. The holiday menu may not include every flavor you love, and coconut cream wasn’t offered one Thanksgiving.
So ask what’s being made for the holiday before you set your heart on a pie. A quick question saves a lot of disappointment.
The bakery also turns out good bread, which could cover your dinner table nicely. Fresh bread and pie in one stop is a pretty sweet deal.
Coffee is on hand too. Grabbing a cup while you pick up your order feels like a small holiday treat.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, with Sundays and Mondays closed. Friday afternoons and Saturdays tend to bring the biggest crowds.
Customer service here gets high marks, which matters during busy weeks. Place your order early and let this Ohio bakery handle the dessert stress.
Address: 2017 Glendale Ave, Toledo, OH 43614
8. Partial To Pie Bakery
Pie fries with cherry sauce might be the most clever snack in Dayton. Picture-perfect pie crust strips are served with sauce for dipping, and yes, it’s as fun as it sounds.
Partial To Pie Bakery specializes in homemade pies and savory quiches. The crust gets lots of praise, which is exactly what you want from a pie shop.
For Thanksgiving, chocolate cream and coconut cream pies have been huge hits at holiday feasts. Those two make a strong team for any dessert table.
Apple pie is a highlight here too. Cherry, chocolate, and coconut cream round out a lineup that covers plenty of tastes.
Mini hand pies are another option. They’re great for guests who want a little bit of everything without committing to a full slice.
Quiche fans, take note. Grabbing one for Thanksgiving morning breakfast could make your holiday a lot easier.
Unlike many pie shops, this one offers dine-in seating. Coffee is on the menu, so you could sit down with a slice while you plan your order.
Hours are short, so pay attention. The bakery runs Tuesday through Friday until mid-afternoon and closes at noon on Saturdays.
Saturday mornings are the busiest time. Midweek mornings tend to be calmer for placing or picking up orders.
Free Wi-Fi and a restroom add some easy comfort. Order early, then go practice your pie fry dipping technique.
Address: 200 Shroyer Rd, Dayton, OH 45419