Who are we?

Austin, Texas, United States
TX Pie Spies travel around the Austin, TX area on a quest for delicious pie. Country charm is not required, but it doesn't hurt. We're two women on a mission. . .

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Monday, October 18, 2010

In which Jamie gives Threadgill's pie another try.

Even after finding Threadgill's pie rather disappointing, I still had a coupon for it and decided to try it again. After a delicious meal of southern home cookin', I requested a slice of pecan pie.
It was better than the buttermilk pie, but it wasn't anything to get excited about.
In the interest of full disclosure, I'm really spoiled when it comes to pecan pie. My grandmother made some amazing pecan pies growing up. Perfectly sweet, with crunchy pecans and a delicious flaky crust. My mom makes a pecan pie that's worth driving home.
This wasn't my momma's pecan pie. It was good- hot as lava; sweet, but not too sweet; and as nutty as can be. The pecans tasted microwaved; they were soft, not crunchy. The crust was kinda meh.
Meh.

Well, here is a picture. Or two. I will be back, soon, with pie from somewhere else.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Thursday, October 7, 2010

I'm a Pie-aholic

(also with pictures!)
I've had the following conversation with myself every day this week:
I want pie.
Not until you write about Threadgill's.
But Brad's out of town, and I'm bored!
Well, maybe after you do some housework you'll write that blog post and then you can have pie.
mmmm. . . the pie at (cutiepie wagon, monument cafe, etc.) sounds really good. I could drive there after work and have a sensible dinner. and then pie.
Not until you write about Threadgill's.

Vicious circle. So I'm writing this post about Threadgill's so I can have pie. Making a justification for pie. Abnormally craving pie. Going out of my way just so I can have pie.

Best. Addiction. Ever.



Monday, October 4, 2010

Our mission, should we choose to accept it

.. .. or The Plan
What is a TX Pie Spy? What is a pie, for that matter?
Here is what the dictionary says about pie. Pretty broad, right? Basically anything with a filling or a crust. For the purposes of this blog, we narrow the definition to the first description: 
"a baked food having a filling of fruit, meat, pudding, etc.,prepared in a pastry-lined pan or dish and often topped witha pastry crust: apple pie; meat pie." 
Our vision for this blog is to write about pie. Sweet pies. Dessert-type pies. The true comfort food of small-town cafe's. This is what we started with, at Maxine's on Main, last summer.
We will post all of the pies spied and eaten, review the atmosphere, talk about things like chewy and flaky crusts, mouth feel, creaminess, filling options, and waitresses with big hair that call us "honey" and "shug."
My vision for this also includes pies we bake ourselves, discussions on pie construction, hints and tips for pie hunting, quotes seen elsewhere - online or off, and generally comfort in what was a commoner's dessert back in the day.


Today I will leave you with this fascinating post on American Pie of Antiquity: http://www.journalofantiques.com/hearthnov.htm
In PIE we trust!


Coming soon: Threadgills!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Is pie the snuggie of food?

I was going to begin this blog with the following, with apologies to Jane Austen:
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a stomach in need of comfort must be in want of a pie."
Further research unearthed a much more appropriate and accurate Austen quote that asked for no apology:
"Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness."

Our journey and fascination began as girls in need of some "domestic happiness". I was watching the Austin Daytripper. The host was eating in a small cafe in Bastrop, TX. After his meal, he ordered a slice of pie. He said that Maxine's makes their own crusts in house - unusually so! Then the most beautiful cream pie came out. Work of art. I had to have one. I also knew Mindy had to come with me.

After a little rescheduling, we were on our way to Maxine's on Main. Maxine's is genuine country charm and delicious country cooking on, you guessed it, Main St. The food was good and not really good for you - unless you count comfort factor. Then pie.

OMG the pie.

Maxine's carries decadent cream or meringue pies that must come daily from heaven. We were so full from country food that we were unable to finish even one slice each. I hate to say if this is a good thing or a bad thing. On one hand, they were so good - I didn't want to stop eating.

On the other hand, more for later!

We escaped, to-go containers in hand, food-babies in belly, and smiles on faces. We'd be back a couple of weeks later, craving the rich wedge of Americana, only 30 miles away from home.