This Mom-And-Pop Cafe In North Carolina Will Serve You The Most Incredible Homemade Pies Of Your Life
Picture this: golden crusts so flaky they shatter at first bite, fillings bursting with flavor that taste like childhood memories, and a family story woven into every single slice. That’s what I discovered at a charming bakery tucked away in Raleigh, where generations of baking wisdom come together in perfect harmony.
North Carolina serves up slice after slice of pure happiness at this hidden treasure, and trust me, your taste buds will thank you. I found myself at 8101 Holly Springs Rd, Raleigh, standing before Slice Pie Company, a place where the aroma alone could make you weep with joy.
The moment I stepped inside, I knew this wasn’t just another bakery churning out mediocre desserts. This was something special, something real, something that reminded me why homemade always beats store-bought.
Every pie tells a story here, and I was about to taste every delicious chapter of their remarkable journey through sweetness and tradition.
1. A Blue Ribbon Legacy That Started It All
Michael Mullins never imagined that entering his apple pie into the North Carolina State Fair would change his life forever. When the judges awarded him that coveted Blue Ribbon, something clicked.
His daughter saw the pride in his eyes and suggested they turn his talent into something bigger than holiday gatherings.
That single ribbon became the foundation for an entire business built on family recipes and genuine passion. The victory wasn’t just about winning a competition.
It proved that homemade goodness, crafted with care and quality ingredients, could stand out in a world of mass production.
Walking into Slice Pie Company today, you can still feel that championship spirit in every corner. The Blue Ribbon hangs proudly as a reminder of where it all began.
Michael’s award winning apple pie remains a bestseller, and customers travel from across the state just to taste the slice that started a legacy worth celebrating every single day.
2. That Dangerously Flaky Biscuit Crust Everyone Raves About
The first time I bit into their signature crust, I understood why people use the word dangerous to describe it. Layers upon layers of buttery, flaky perfection literally crumbled and melted simultaneously on my tongue.
This wasn’t your typical pie crust that sits heavy in your stomach.
This family recipe has been passed down through generations, refined and perfected with each baker who learned the technique. The secret lies in the careful balance of ingredients and the precise handling that creates those impossibly thin, crispy layers.
Every bite delivers an audible crunch followed by a tender, almost biscuit like softness.
I watched a baker roll out dough that morning, and the care she took was mesmerizing. She explained that temperature, timing, and touch all matter equally in achieving that signature texture.
No shortcuts exist in this process. The crust alone could win awards, and honestly, it already has, making every pie they sell a masterpiece from the outside in.
3. From Classic Apple To Tangy Key Lime Perfection
Standing before their display case felt like facing the world’s most delicious dilemma. Apple pie sat golden and gorgeous next to dark, nutty pecan.
Key lime beckoned with its pale green filling topped with perfect meringue peaks. Lemon pie glowed like sunshine captured in pastry form.
Each variety represents hours of recipe testing and flavor balancing to achieve perfection. The apple filling strikes that ideal balance between sweet and tart, with cinnamon notes that never overpower.
Their pecan pie avoids the cloying sweetness that ruins so many versions, instead offering rich, caramelized depth.
Key lime delivers that essential pucker followed by creamy sweetness, while lemon pie brings brightness that cleanses your palate beautifully. They also create custom designs for weddings, birthdays, and celebrations, turning any occasion into something memorable.
I tried three different flavors during my visit, and honestly, picking a favorite felt impossible. Each one showcased different strengths, different personalities, different reasons to return again and again.
4. Featured In Southern Living And Beyond
When Southern Living comes calling, you know you’ve made something truly special. This beloved bakery has graced the pages of multiple prestigious publications, each one recognizing the exceptional quality and authentic story behind every pie.
Our State Magazine highlighted their family heritage and commitment to traditional methods.
Tar Heel Traveler brought cameras to capture the magic happening in their kitchen, showing viewers across North Carolina what real baking looks like. These features aren’t just publicity.
They represent validation from food experts who taste hundreds of pies and only spotlight the genuinely outstanding ones.
I noticed framed articles hanging on the walls, each one telling part of their journey from small family operation to regional treasure. The staff doesn’t boast about these accolades, but customers certainly notice.
That kind of recognition brings expectations, and Slice Pie Company consistently exceeds them. Every feature story brings new customers who quickly become regulars, spreading the word that the hype is absolutely justified and worth the drive.
5. Baking For Snoop Dogg And Rock Legends
How does a small Raleigh bakery end up baking for Snoop Dogg, Hozier, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers? Word travels fast when you create something extraordinary.
When touring artists and their crews want authentic, delicious food, local recommendations lead them to places like this.
These celebrity orders aren’t about fancy Instagram moments or publicity stunts. Performers want real food that reminds them of home, comfort that fuels long nights and demanding schedules.
The fact that major artists specifically request pies from Slice Pie Company speaks volumes about quality and taste.
I asked the staff about these famous customers, and they smiled with genuine pride rather than starstruck excitement. To them, every customer deserves the same attention and care, whether you’re a rock star or a regular stopping by after work.
That democratic approach to baking excellence makes their success feel earned and honest. Celebrity endorsements matter, but the real testimony comes from thousands of regular folks who return week after week for another slice of happiness.
6. The New Oakwood Location That Opened On Pi Day
March 14, 2025, marked a perfect alignment of mathematics and pastry when Slice Pie Company opened their second location on National Pi Day. The historic Oakwood district welcomed them at 606 N.
Person St., where they now share space with Sugar Euphoria cake bakery. Talk about a dessert lover’s dream destination.
This expansion wasn’t about chasing growth for its own sake. The original location at 8101 Holly Springs Rd couldn’t keep up with demand, and customers across Raleigh deserved easier access to these incredible pies.
The Oakwood neighborhood, with its tree lined streets and community atmosphere, felt like the perfect fit.
I visited shortly after opening and found the same commitment to quality in this new space. The partnership with Sugar Euphoria creates a one stop shop for anyone planning celebrations or simply indulging sweet cravings.
Watching them grow while maintaining standards proves that success and integrity can coexist beautifully in the food world.
7. Theatre Raleigh Partnership Brings Pies To Broadway
When Theatre Raleigh decided to produce “Waitress: The Musical,” they needed authentic pies that could hold up under stage lights and audience scrutiny. Naturally, they called Slice Pie Company.
This collaboration brought their creations into the spotlight, quite literally, as props and sometimes actual refreshments for theatergoers.
The musical itself centers around a pie maker and waitress, making the partnership feel destined. Audiences watching the show could smell real pie baking, connecting the sensory experience with the emotional story unfolding onstage.
After performances, some attendees headed straight to the bakery to taste what they’d seen celebrated in song.
This kind of community engagement showcases how local businesses and arts organizations can elevate each other. The theatre gained authenticity and delicious props, while the bakery reached new customers who appreciate craftsmanship in all its forms.
I love seeing businesses support local culture rather than just chasing profits. That commitment to community makes every slice taste even sweeter somehow.
8. Custom Wedding Pies That Replace Traditional Cakes
Forget towering fondant cakes that taste like cardboard wrapped in sugar. Modern couples are choosing pie, and Slice Pie Company has perfected the art of wedding pie displays that look stunning and actually taste amazing.
I’ve seen photos of their creations, and they rival any traditional cake for visual impact.
They work with couples to design custom flavors and arrangements that reflect personal stories and preferences. Maybe you met over apple pie on your first date, or perhaps you both love the tangy brightness of key lime.
Those details transform dessert from generic tradition into meaningful celebration.
The practical advantages matter too: easier to serve, less waste, more flavor options to please diverse guests. Their catering service handles everything from design consultation to delivery and setup.
Friends who chose pie for their weddings report that guests still talk about dessert years later. When people remember your wedding food, you’ve done something right.
That’s the kind of lasting impression worth investing in for your special day.
9. Nationwide Shipping Through Goldbelly Delivers Happiness
Living far from Raleigh no longer means missing out on these incredible pies. Through their partnership with Goldbelly, Slice Pie Company ships nationwide, bringing their award winning creations to doorsteps across America.
The logistics of shipping fresh pie seem daunting, but they’ve mastered the science.
Each pie travels in specially designed packaging with dry ice, arriving frozen and ready to thaw or bake according to included instructions. I’ve heard from customers in California, New York, and everywhere between who rave about the condition their pies arrived in.
The crust maintains its flakiness, fillings taste fresh, and nothing arrives crushed or compromised.
This service opens up gifting possibilities that didn’t exist before. Imagine sending a homesick college student a taste of home, or surprising distant relatives with a birthday pie instead of generic flowers.
The ability to share something this special across miles demonstrates how technology can enhance rather than replace traditional craftsmanship. Every shipped pie carries the same care as one sold over the counter.
10. Accommodating Every Dietary Need Without Compromising Flavor
Food allergies and dietary restrictions shouldn’t mean missing out on incredible pie. Slice Pie Company takes special requests seriously, offering gluten free, sugar free, dairy free, egg free, soy free, and nut free options.
These aren’t afterthoughts or compromises. They’re carefully developed recipes that deliver satisfaction.
I spoke with a customer picking up a dairy free pecan pie for her lactose intolerant mother. She explained that finding desserts that don’t taste like cardboard substitutes usually feels impossible.
Here, her mom could enjoy pie that rivaled the traditional version, making family gatherings inclusive rather than awkward.
The bakery requires advance notice for specialty pies, ensuring they have time to source appropriate ingredients and avoid cross contamination. That attention to detail matters enormously to people with severe allergies.
Knowing you can trust a bakery to take your needs seriously removes anxiety from what should be a joyful experience. Everyone deserves delicious pie, and this place makes that belief a delicious reality for their entire community.
11. Customer Service That Feels Like Family
The moment I walked through the door at 8101 Holly Springs Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606, someone greeted me by name even though I’d never visited before. Turns out I’d called ahead with questions, and they remembered.
That personal touch sets the tone for everything that follows.
Staff members don’t just take orders and move on. They ask about your occasion, offer recommendations based on preferences, and share stories about different pies.
One employee told me about a customer who orders the same lemon pie every Friday to celebrate making it through another work week. Those connections transform transactions into relationships.
Online reviews consistently mention the warmth and patience of everyone working here. They handle rushes gracefully, never making customers feel hurried or unimportant.
When something goes wrong, they fix it immediately and genuinely. That kind of service comes from leadership that values people over profits.
You can taste the difference that happy, respected employees make in the final product. Everything feels infused with care and pride.
12. Store Hours Designed Around Fresh Baking Schedules
Slice Pie Company operates Wednesday through Saturday, with hours that reflect their commitment to freshness rather than convenience. Wednesday and Thursday they’re open 8 am to 6 pm, while Friday and Saturday extend to 8 pm.
These aren’t random choices. They align with baking schedules that ensure everything you buy was made recently.
Closing Sunday through Tuesday allows the team to rest, prepare, and maintain quality standards that would suffer under seven day operations. I appreciate businesses that prioritize sustainability and staff wellbeing over maximizing revenue.
That philosophy ultimately benefits customers because burned out bakers don’t create magic.
The extended Friday and Saturday hours accommodate weekend celebrations and last minute party needs. I visited on a Thursday afternoon and watched a steady stream of customers picking up pre orders and browsing what remained.
By closing time, shelves looked sparse because everything had sold. That’s the sign of a business doing things right, making just enough to meet demand without waste, keeping products fresh and customers satisfied.
13. Calling Ahead Ensures You Get Your Favorite Slice
Here’s the insider tip that changed my pie game: call ahead to 984-296-2194 and reserve what you want. Popular flavors sell out quickly, especially on weekends, and nothing feels worse than arriving excited only to find your favorite gone.
The staff happily holds pies with your name on them.
I learned this lesson the hard way on my first visit when I showed up hoping for pecan and found only two lemon pies remaining. Delicious, sure, but not what my heart desired.
Now I call the day before, confirm availability, and pick up without disappointment or stress.
Their website also provides information about seasonal specials and limited offerings worth planning around. Holidays bring unique flavors that disappear once ingredients run out.
Calling establishes that personal connection too, letting staff recognize you as a regular who appreciates their work. Small gestures like remembering to call ahead show respect for their process and increase your chances of pie happiness.
Trust me, that phone call takes thirty seconds and prevents major dessert disappointment.
