Now is the time for celebratory pie

Handmade double-crust pie from Railyard Pie Company holds a candle no prob

Friday marks America’s birthday, which is one of the great opportunities life affords us to invest in a celebratory dessert. As for me and my house, I will serve pie.

Sure, birthdays are, by most accounts, the realm of cake. I get it. But we’re talking about America’s birthday. Let those other countries eat cake. And what’s more American than apple pie? That said, I must confess the pie I will reach for won’t be stuffed with apples. In fact, the pie reigning as apple in my eye is a rhapsody in blueberries from Railyard Pie Company.

I blew into the 405 diningscape just as it was clearing the confetti from the city’s first-ever NBA championship for a birthday occasion that called for the aforementioned double-crusted blueberry pie. Oh, mama, did that pie deliver.

Not the first time I came face-to-crust with this confection. Far from it. If memory serves, my first rodeo was three years ago. Must’ve been the Fourth of July. The result? Fireworks. I ate that pie the rest of the summer when, alas, fall called for change.

Since the summer of 2023, I’ve eaten Railyard’s double-crusted blueberry pie at least half a dozen times. Whether by the slice or whole enchilada, it’s never disappointed. How could it? Both crusts are handmade, the top coated with coarse sugar making this double-crust double-crisp. The blueberry filling isn’t cloyingly sweet as so many fillings are. It’s especially important, and expertly crafted in this case, because of the sugar-studded upper crust.

I can also report it is equally effective celebrating a regular birthday or America’s birthday. Ice cream is not at all necessary; however, don’t hesitate to pair it with a scoop should you be churning some vanilla ice cream this weekend. If you can’t get into one of these pies this weekend, just make sure you do before the summer is over.

Meantime, enjoy your Independence Day cookout and the fireworks that follow. On Sunday, I’ve got some fancy tacos to talk with you about and a margarita that comes with a paleta.