A Kansas coconut cream pie once beat out the whole country for the title of best slice in America, thanks to a national morning show.
That happened back in 2008, and the recipe hasn’t changed. Then in 2024, USA Today ranked another Kansas pie shop fourth among the best in the nation.
Two pie wins on a national stage? I love that kind of plot twist.
Neither of those famous spots is even on this list. That tells you how deep the pie bench runs in this part of the country.
Old diners, Amish country kitchens, burger stands, and a roadside fried pie stop keep the crusts coming.
I can’t think of a better reason for a road trip than a slice of something homemade.
The only real question is which flavor you’ll grab first, and whether you’ll save room for a second.
1. Carriage Crossing Restaurant and Bakery
Amish country in Kansas has a serious sweet tooth, and this Yoder stop proves it.
The pie list here reads like a small novel. You’ll find fruit pies like cherry, peach, blackberry, and strawberry rhubarb.
Cream pies cover banana, coconut, chocolate, peanut butter, and sour cream raisin.
Then the menu gets bolder with cream cheese pies. Strawberry, chocolate peanut butter, and even a Snicker Bar version make the list.
Specialty slices include Tollhouse, German chocolate, pecan, and pumpkin. Meringue fans can pick lemon, coconut, or chocolate.
Watching your sugar? No Sugar Added pies are on the lineup too, including a coconut cream version.
The plain peanut butter pie, minus the chocolate, has a loyal following. It’s a reputation worth testing for yourself.
Meals lean family style, with homemade cooking and house-baked goods. The cinnamon rolls are famously huge, so plan your stomach space wisely.
A gift shop on site makes browsing after lunch part of the fun. Preserves and honey are on hand too.
Midwest Living and Taste of Home magazines have both featured the place. Whole pies can be ordered if one slice feels too lonely.
Doors open at 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday.
Sundays are closed, so plan your pie run accordingly.
Address: 10002 S Yoder Rd, Yoder, KS 67585
2. Spear’s Restaurant & Pie Shop
Back in May 1956, the Spear family opened a restaurant in Wichita.
Nearly seventy years later, its reputation for homemade pies has made it a local institution. Pie became a major part of the business in the early 1980s.
In 1984, the family officially added “Pie Shoppe” to the restaurant’s name, and the current location on West Maple Street opened in 1985.
Well over twenty pie options rotate through the kitchen, and they’re made in-house. French silk, coconut cream, and strawberry rhubarb are a few names to know.
There’s also a chocolate pudding nut pie, which sounds like pure fun on a plate. A no sugar added chocolate cream pie keeps things friendly for careful eaters.
Apple, Dutch apple, and pecan show up on the menu as well. Classic flavors never seem to go out of style in Kansas.
Thursdays come with a free slice of pie when you purchase an entrée during the promotion hours. Ask your server about the current offer before ordering dessert.
The food side covers hearty breakfast, lunch, and dinner in old-fashioned surroundings. Daily specials and a salad bar round things out.
Service gets plenty of praise for being friendly and attentive. That matters when you’re debating three pies at once.
Hours start at 6:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday, with an 8 a.m. start on Sundays.
Sunday mornings and Thursdays tend to be the busiest.
Address: 4323 W Maple St, Wichita, KS 67209
3. Bradley’s Corner Cafe
Western murals on the walls and pie in the case make a strong first impression.
This diner sits in a historic brick building in Topeka’s NOTO Arts District.
About 25 pie varieties are known to show up here. That’s nearly a different slice for each day of the month.
The peanut butter chocolate pie gets serious attention. It stacks peanut butter mousse and semisweet chocolate pudding under a meringue topping.
Coconut cream is another favorite worth tracking down. Raisin cream with tall meringue peaks is a sweet old-school pick too.
Chocolate and strawberry rhubarb pies also appear on the menu. So yes, fruit fans get their turn.
Before pie, the breakfast plates make a solid case for themselves. Biscuits and gravy, chicken fried steak, pancakes, and omelets come in big portions.
Topeka natives have long pointed newcomers toward this spot for its pie. That’s the kind of local reputation money can’t buy.
The room channels the golden age of American diners. It’s simple, casual, and focused on comfort food.
Reservations aren’t taken, so just show up hungry. Saturday mornings bring the biggest crowds.
The cafe is closed Mondays and wraps up by midafternoon. Sunday hours run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Address: 844 N Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66608
4. Made From Scratch
The name of this Wilson restaurant pretty much sums up the whole plan.
Homemade comfort food is the goal, and pie is a big part of it.
You’ll find around 13 pie flavors to choose from. Apple pie is a menu highlight, and a scoop of ice cream on top is a popular move.
Lunch might include a German buffet, bierocks, or a huge farm-to-table burger. Unlimited fried chicken and pork chops are also on offer.
Homemade chips and homemade salsa add little surprises to the table. Those touches show how seriously the kitchen takes its name.
Wilson is a small town known as the Czech Capital of Kansas. It’s an easy detour off Interstate 70 if you’re crossing the state.
Service is quick, and the staff is known for being sweet and friendly. The setting feels family focused and relaxed.
Timing matters here, so check the calendar before you go. The restaurant is closed Monday through Wednesday.
Thursday and Friday hours run from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Weekends stretch to 3 p.m., and Sundays tend to be busiest.
Want to grab a slice for the road? Takeout is available, though your car may smell like dessert for days.
Address: 527 27th St, Wilson, KS 67490
5. Dutch Country Cafe
Pies baked fresh daily are the headline at this Amish-style cafe in Garnett.
The cinnamon rolls make a pretty loud case for themselves too.
Coconut cream pie ranks among the popular picks. Cherry pie served with vanilla ice cream is another sweet way to end a meal.
Apple pie shows up on the menu as well. Slices come in a generous size, so sharing is an option, not a requirement.
Breakfast brings top-notch pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and those famous rolls. Lunch leans hearty with chicken fried steak and a fried chicken dinner.
The hot roast beef comes on homemade bread with real potatoes. It’s the kind of plate that makes pie feel well earned.
Coffee drinkers can order a hand-crafted latte. Tea fans have a nice selection to explore too.
The dining areas are clean and casual with a country setting. Free wi-fi is available if you need to answer emails between bites.
Garnett sits southwest of Kansas City in the eastern part of the state. It makes a sweet stop on a country drive.
The cafe opens at 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday and closes at 2:30 p.m.
Saturdays draw the biggest crowds, while Sundays are closed.
Address: 309 N Maple St, Garnett, KS 66032
6. Bobo Drive In
A spot on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives put this Topeka drive-in on national TV.
The apple pie is a big part of its charm. Apple pie at a burger joint might sound like an afterthought.
Here, it’s one of the stars of the menu.
Burgers and hot dogs rule the menu with all the trimmings. Then comes the apple pie, made from scratch and served as the sweet finish.
Chili cheese fries and onion rings make solid sidekicks. Double cheeseburgers are ready for bigger appetites.
The look and feel lean classic 50s and 60s. It’s vintage without trying too hard.
You can eat inside or use the drive-through. Takeout works too if your pie needs to travel.
The place has a dog-friendly feel, which is great news for road trip pups. Just don’t share the pie with them.
Lunch and early dinner tend to bring crowds. Afternoons from Tuesday through Saturday are usually busiest.
Hours run 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Sundays are closed, so plan your apple pie cravings around that.
Address: 2300 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604
7. Ladybird Diner
Bakers here turn out somewhere between 30 and 60 pies a day.
That’s a serious pie habit for one downtown Lawrence diner. Fresh pie has been the focus since 2014.
The pastry case often holds peach, chocolate cream, and cherry.
The real fun starts with the original Douglas County Pie. It’s a house recipe named for the local county, so it’s a true hometown flavor.
Blueberry basil pie brings a garden twist to a classic. Lemon meringue, coconut cream, and peanut butter pies also get plenty of love.
The food menu matches the pie energy. Huge pancakes, creamy grits, and sweet potato hash fill breakfast plates.
Lunch leans modern comfort, with fried chicken sandwiches and a pork tenderloin sandwich topped with pimento cheese. Chicken pot pie also counts as pie, technically.
Decor is quirky and eclectic, and the mood is cheerful. College students and visitors mix with families here.
Expect a wait, especially on weekends. Reservations aren’t accepted, and parking can take some patience.
Need a whole pie for a party? Preorders are available for special occasions.
The diner is closed Monday and Tuesday. Friday hours stretch to 8 p.m.
Address: 721 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044
8. Russell’s Restaurant
Old-school diners don’t get much more classic than this Salina favorite.
Breads and pies come straight from the in-house kitchen. Coconut cream and chocolate cream pie slices are menu highlights.
Both are timeless picks for a lunch finale.
Homemade desserts get as much attention as the main plates. That says a lot at a place with all-you-can-eat fried chicken specials.
Breakfast covers omelets like the meat lovers and Spanish versions. BLT sandwiches and iced sweet tea keep lunch simple.
A full salad bar is a nice surprise for travelers. Salina sits where Interstates 70 and 135 meet, so road trippers pass through often.
Service is quick, with fast orders and steady refills. Portions are generous, so think ahead about dessert space.
Vegetarian diners can find some meat-free choices, although the published menu does not establish a separate vegetarian menu. Free Wi-Fi helps if you’re planning the next leg of your drive.
Hours are a little unusual, so check before you go. Tuesdays are closed, and several days end at 3 p.m.
Monday, Thursday, and Friday run until 9 p.m. Weekend mornings bring the biggest crowds.
Pie with your eggs is a perfectly fine life choice. Nobody here will judge your order.
Address: 649 Westport Blvd, Salina, KS 67401
9. Bayard’s Cafe
Salina gets two spots on this list, and that’s no accident.
This casual cafe on South Broadway serves a nice spread of homemade pies. Banana cream pie is a known favorite.
It pairs naturally with a plate of home-style cooking.
Chicken fried steak and chicken fried chicken anchor the menu. Hash browns and biscuits and gravy keep breakfast hearty.
Don’t skip the onion rings, which have a fan base of their own. The cinnamon roll is another strong reason to visit early.
Coffee here is a bargain, so refills feel extra friendly. The wait staff gets praise for being pleasant and helpful.
The atmosphere is quiet and comfortable. It’s welcoming to families, groups, and LGBTQ+ guests alike.
Pie for breakfast? Nobody is stopping you, and the cafe opens at 6 a.m.
Hours run Tuesday through Sunday until 3 p.m. Mondays are closed, so save your craving.
Sunday mornings tend to be busiest. Midweek afternoons are usually calmer if you want a relaxed slice.
Reservations are accepted for bigger groups. Parking is usually easy to find nearby.
Address: 540 S Broadway Blvd, Salina, KS 67401
10. Vernie’s Hamburger House
Burgers may get top billing, but the pie at this Hays hamburger house quietly steals scenes. Shakes and pie make a combo worth the detour.
The restaurant is a classic local burger joint with fresh burgers and signature shakes. It has an old-time, historic feel that fits the menu.
Pie is the surprise ending here. The menu features chocolate, lemon, and coconut meringue pies.
Pair a slice with a shake, and you have dessert in stereo. It’s a fun way to end a road trip lunch.
Hays sits along Interstate 70 in western Kansas. It’s home to Fort Hays State University, so college students show up here too.
Service is fast, which helps if you’re on a schedule. A drive-through is available for pie on the go.
Inside, the setting is casual and quiet. Kids are welcome, with high chairs and a kids’ menu.
Timing takes a little planning. The restaurant closes Sundays and Mondays.
Tuesday through Friday hours run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays open at 10:30 a.m. and wrap up at 3 p.m.
Thursday and Friday afternoons tend to be busiest. Tuesday evenings are usually quietest.
Address: 527 E 17th St, Hays, KS 67601
11. Arbukle Mountain Fried Pies
Fried pie fans, this roadside stop in Alma is your kind of place.
The pies are flaky, sweet, and built for travel. You’ll find Arbuckle Mountain Fried Pies at the Plaza of the Flint Hills, a roadside travel stop along K-99.
Flavors associated with the brand include apple, peach, cherry, lemon, and coconut. The coconut filling is known for its rich flavor.
Chocolate and blueberry are two other standouts. Picking just one may be the hardest part of your day.
Prices are friendly for the amount of pie you get. Buying a few to share is a smart move.
Alma sits in the Flint Hills along Highway 99, not far from Interstate 70. The drive alone is a scenic bonus.
The setup is simple and casual, made for a quick bite. Takeout is the name of the game.
Staff are helpful when you’re stuck between flavors. Service moves fast, so you’ll be back on the road soon.
Hours can vary by location, so check before driving out.
Published listings for the Alma stop disagree about opening days and times, and the company’s official website does not specify a schedule for this particular location.
A fried pie makes a fitting last stop on a Kansas pie tour. It’s portable, flaky, and gone way too fast.
Address: 32691 K99 Hwy, Alma, KS 66401