Tis the season, friends! For better or worse, we have officially entered the annual period of abundant family time, raucous year-end office parties and cozy, hearty meals. And with the heartiest meal of them all, Thanksgiving, just around the corner, we’re feeling the pressure to get on top of a game plan. Or at least a desire to contribute to someone else’s game plan. And if you’re anything like us, you know the real secret to a superior Thanksgiving meal is a stellar pie.
But since most of us here in New York tend to fill our schedules to max capacity and wait until the last minute to prepare for everything, from hurricanes to holiday meals, most of us have little time to do our own holiday baking. Lucky for us, we live in a city where pie shops and patisseries are seemingly right at our fingertips. Only problem: if you haven’t already ordered one, with the big day fast approaching, it might be tough to get a perfect pie for Thanksgiving Day. Worry not though! These three Manhattan bakeries have your back.
Petee’s Pie Company
61 Delancey St., Lower East Side
Last day to order: Sunday, November 24
Go for: Maple Whiskey Walnut, Nesselrode or NY Sour Cherry
Though Petee’s Pie hasn’t been around forever, it’s made quite a name for itself since its first location opened on the Lower East Side in 2014. Last year, they made the move to Brooklyn, giving more of us access to their extensive menu, which includes over a dozen Thanksgiving selections, including gluten-free and vegan options.
Ovenly
230 Park Ave., Midtown
42 W. 42nd St., Bryant Park
Last day to order: Monday, November 25 (Note: Greenpoint and Williamsburg are the only locations open for Thanksgiving Day pickups)
Go for: Caramel Pumpkin or Black Bottom Pecan
Ovenly has long been known for their “mmmission,” a “radical responsibility” to provide not only “your daily moment of joy,” but also a wider duty to serve the community as well, making their decadent desserts all the more delicious. This year, they’ve linked up with Food52’s baking-consultant-at-large Erin Jeanne McDowell to create two traditional holiday pies, with special twists: a caramel pumpkin and a black (chocolate) bottom pecan.
Bourke Street Bakery
15 E. 28th St., NoMad
Last day to order: Tuesday, November 26
Go for: Apple Cider
Pie’s not all you’ll find at Bourke Street, which is something of a one-stop shop for all of your favorite bread-based Thanksgiving accoutrements—think sourdough pumpkin loaves and a sage, rosemary and cranberry challah turkey stuffing. For those that find themselves especially behind the eight ball this year, they’re accepting orders through the Tuesday before the holiday and they deliver.
