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5 Small-Town Pie Shops in New York Worth Pulling Over For


Fall in New York means apple harvests, Concord grapes, and seasonal pies returning to bakery counters across the state. Beyond the familiar apple and pumpkin varieties, small-town shops are baking everything from strawberry rhubarb to chocolate peanut butter brownie pies.

These five pie shops in New York take us from the shores of Lake Erie and the Finger Lakes to the Capital Region, Adirondack Coast, and Catskills. You’ll find family-run orchards, dedicated bakeries, and even a self-service stand where customers leave cash for frozen pies. Each has its own specialties and a few things to know before visiting.

Monica’s Pies in Naples: Concord Grape Pie

Freshly baked pies on metal trays, including fruit crumb pies and pumpkin pies, displayed on a bakery rack.

Naples is a small Finger Lakes village of about 1,000 residents, known for its Concord grapes and the pies made from them. The local specialty dates back to the 1960s and is celebrated each September at the Naples Grape Festival, an annual event featuring food, wine, and entertainment.

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About two miles north of the village on State Route 21, Monica’s Pies has been part of that tradition for decades. Owner Monica Schenk grew up in Naples and turned her love of baking into a business known for its grape pies.

So, what exactly is grape pie, you ask? Made with Concord grapes, it has a deep purple filling with a bold, sweet-tart flavor and thick, jamlike texture. Preparing it involves separating the grape skins from the pulp, removing the seeds, and adding the skins back before baking. Monica has made more than 25 other varieties over the years, including apple crumb, strawberry rhubarb, and chicken pot pie.

A visit to Monica’s is a little different from stopping at a traditional bakery. About five years ago, she closed the indoor shop to regular customers and switched to an outdoor self-service setup. Visitors pick out frozen, unbaked grape pies and leave cash in a collection box. One recent Google reviewer said they found the pies in a cooler on the porch and dropped off payment through a slot in a birdhouse.

The stand is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monica also opens the shop for special occasions, including the Naples Grape Festival, when freshly baked grape pies are available. While picking up a frozen pie isn’t the typical bakery experience, Monica’s Concord grape pie is still worth the detour. You’ll just have to bake it at home before enjoying a slice.

Portage Pie in Westfield: Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Westfield is a village of just over 3,000 residents near Lake Erie, surrounded by vineyards and farmland in Chautauqua County. Portage Pie is roughly two miles from I-90 Exit 60 on the New York State Thruway, a convenient location for travelers passing through the region.

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You’ll find Portage Pie in a small red building, where handmade pies are the main attraction. The bakers use locally grown fruit whenever possible, preparing everything from traditional apple and cherry to cream-filled and crumb-topped creations. The selection changes daily, depending on what’s coming out of the oven.

Strawberry rhubarb is a customer favorite, with sweet strawberries balancing rhubarb’s tartness beneath a pastry crust. Blackberry, banana cream, and key lime have also earned praise from visitors. One Tripadvisor reviewer enjoyed the strawberry rhubarb and peach pies enough to return the following day, this time leaving with blackberry and banana cream.

Portage Pie is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until sold out. The shop is closed Monday and Tuesday, accepts cash or check, and recommends preordering if there’s a specific flavor you want.

For more places to explore after this roundup, check out Only In Your State’s guide to New York road trips, which includes a pie shop itinerary and a small-town route featuring Westfield.

Smith’s Orchard Bake Shop in Charlton: Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Pie

In Charlton, a rural Saratoga County town with around 4,300 residents, Smith’s Orchard Bake Shop is part of a fourth-generation family farm dating back nearly a century. You’ll find it at 4561 Jockey Street, along Route 67 west of Ballston Spa.

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The farm was established in 1931 by W. Guy and Emily Smith, who raised dairy cattle and grew apples. Four generations later, the family continues its agricultural work, while the bake shop has developed a following for its extensive pie menu.

The Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Pie stands apart from the orchard’s more familiar fruit desserts. Its filling features rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and fudgy brownie. It was among four pies the bakery brought to a January 2026 television appearance celebrating National Pie Day, alongside blueberry, pecan, and apple raspberry.

Smith’s also makes classic and crumb-top fruit pies in 10-inch and smaller 6-inch sizes. Pumpkin, mince, Tollhouse, and sugarless apple are among the other choices, and the smaller portions are handy for travelers who don’t want to purchase a full-size dessert.

The bake shop is open Monday and Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s closed Tuesday. If you’re hoping to pick up the Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Pie, call ahead to confirm it’s in stock.

Rulfs Orchard in Peru: Apple Crumb Pie

Four freshly baked pies with golden, crumbly toppings arranged on a white countertop.

Photo courtesy of Rulfs Orchard

South of Plattsburgh, near Lake Champlain, Peru is a Clinton County town of about 6,600 residents. Apple orchards have long been part of the landscape here, including Rulfs Orchard, a farm market and bakery just off I-87 Exit 35.

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The business began in 1952, when Bob Rulfs purchased a dairy farm with four cows, three heifer calves, and 12 acres of apple trees. He started selling apples from a wagon in front of his house before expanding into other crops. A cider mill followed in 1983, and the bakery opened four years later.

Apple pie soon became one of its best-known products. The kitchen now makes more than 10,000 pie crusts annually, including those used for its apple crumb pie. Rather than a second layer of pastry, the filling is covered with a golden crumb topping that contrasts with the tender apples underneath.

There’s more to the bakery than its signature dessert. Rulfs sells 6-inch and 10-inch fruit pies, with blueberry, peach, raspberry, and cherry among the choices. Fresh doughnuts are prepared each morning, including apple cider varieties, alongside cookies and fruit breads.

Rulfs Orchard is located at 531 Bear Swamp Road. The farm market lists daily hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., although the bakery follows a seasonal schedule. Apple pies are sold year-round, and customers can place advance orders for the varieties they prefer.

Magpies on Pink Street in Delancey: Rotating Seasonal Pies

At Magpies on Pink Street, the seasons determine what’s on the menu. Tucked away in Delancey, a rural Catskills community seven miles from Delhi, the bakery gets much of its fruit, dairy, and other ingredients from nearby farms.

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Owner Maggie McDowell moved from New York City to the Catskills in 2019, planning a temporary stay while working at Brushland Eating House in Bovina. She ended up settling in the area and turned her interest in baking into a business. She now hand-rolls hundreds of all-butter pie crusts each week.

The menu typically features two or three pies at a time. One highlights fresh fruit, while another belongs to a category McDowell calls her “gooey” pies, made with custards, creams, and chocolate fillings. Ginger rhubarb crumble appears in spring, followed by blueberry lemon and hot honey peach during summer. Caramel apple is a fall favorite, while pear cranberry has appeared in winter.

Her gooey creations are just as varied, with past selections including Mexican Chocolate, Meyer Lemon with Local Honey and Lavender, Salted Maple Custard, and Diner-Style Peanut Butter.

Every Tuesday, McDowell announces the new menu on the Magpies website, where customers can reserve pies for pickup. The shop at 1051 Back River Road is open Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with extra pies sometimes available for walk-ins.

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Outside, an honor-system stand is stocked with fresh pies whenever there are extras. Customers can pay with cash or Venmo, though there’s no guarantee anything will be waiting there on a particular day. Wednesdays are often a possibility, according to the bakery.

Tips for a New York Pie Shop Road Trip

A New York pie shop road trip doesn’t have to include all five locations. Portage Pie and Monica’s Pies pair well for a drive through Western New York and the Finger Lakes. Smith’s Orchard and Magpies could be stops on a longer journey through the Capital Region and Catskills, while Rulfs Orchard sits farther north along I-87 near Lake Champlain.

Because each business operates a little differently, plan around its schedule. Some shops sell out before closing, others recommend preorders for certain flavors, and Monica’s regular self-service stand sells frozen pies to bake at home. Checking their websites before leaving will help you decide which stops fit your plans.

Autumn is a popular season for Concord grape and apple pies, although several of these businesses operate year-round. If you’re bringing home a cream or custard pie, remember to keep it chilled during the drive.

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From Naples’ grape-growing traditions to the Catskills farms supplying Magpies, these bakeries reflect the communities around them. Choose a region for your next trip and leave time to explore the towns along the way.

FAQs About Small-Town Pie Shops in New York

Where can I find the best pie in New York?

Some of the best pie in New York comes from small-town businesses such as Monica’s Pies in Naples, known for its Concord grape pie, and Portage Pie in Westfield, where strawberry rhubarb is a customer favorite. Monica’s sits along State Route 21, while Portage Pie is about two miles from I-90 Exit 60.

What kind of pie is New York known for?

New York has a long tradition of apple pie, but Concord grape pie is especially associated with Naples in the Finger Lakes. Local bakers began preparing the dessert in the 1960s using grapes grown in the region. Monica’s Pies continues that tradition, selling frozen grape pies year-round and freshly baked versions during special openings.

When is the best time to visit a small-town pie shop?

Earlier in the day is usually best, especially on weekends when popular varieties can sell out. Portage Pie closes once it sells out of its daily selection, while Magpies on Pink Street announces new flavors every Tuesday. Checking hours and ordering ahead can help avoid arriving after your preferred pie has sold out.



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