Pots & Pans Pie Co., located at 4915 N College Ave, has been supplying South Broad Ripple with handmade pies since 2016. The restaurant’s mantra is that pie is the “perfect food” and prides itself on delivering an exceptional experience to all guests.
The bakery serves a wide variety of pies, both sweet and savory. Classics like Chicken Pot Pie and Butterscotch Pie are served alongside more unique options like Black Bottom Frangipane Pie. The menu rotates each month, encouraging repeat visits as customers look forward to the return of their favorites and new recipes.
Front-of-house employee Ellen Stawick noted that the seasonal pies tend to be the restaurant’s most popular dishes.
“People have their favorite [pies], and they want us to have [them] on the menu throughout the year,” Stawick said. “[In the] wintertime, Pot Pies reign supreme because … it’s cold out. I would say that right now, Sweet Pies are hitting the spot for [customers].”
The location is more of a quick-service counter rather than a full sit-down location. Upon entering, a freezer filled with Take & Bake Pot Pies is available to browse, and a selection of ready-to-eat fresh slices of pie are displayed.
A 6-inch pie typically costs between $13.50 and $15.50, while larger 9-inch pies are between $36.50 and $40.50 — more than a typical freezer pie, but the freshness and quality justify the increased price.
Pots & Pans is also situated between other great eats, such as Marrakesh Moroccan Cuisine, G1 Indian Restaurant and Greek’s Pizzeria. The convenience makes it a great spot to grab a bite of dessert after eating a larger meal.
Jackson Hopkins, a sophomore mathematics and chemistry double major, appreciates the shop’s practicality.
“I’d recommend [the restaurant], because the pies are super solid,” Hopkins said. “It is pretty cost effective for what it is, because you get … a large portion that feeds multiple people [and lasts for] multiple days. If you are not in any rush [to eat them], you can stock up on them.”
Unlike a grocery store freezer pie, which could have been on the shelf for months before being purchased, Pots & Pans pies are freshly prepared and often sold within the week. Diners can rest assured that they are eating a high-quality meal. The take-and-bake system also makes the pies an excellent choice if one wants to save it for later to pop in the oven.
Pots & Pans also offers specialty pies for various occasions. For Pi Day, the establishment offers a “FrankenPie” — a full pie consisting of individual slices from several different ones, making it an excellent way to sample flavors and find a favorite or two.
Beyond preparing pies, the location is also committed to being an active participant in the surrounding community, often partnering with local businesses.
Front-of-house employee Sonja Kellogg-Weeks discussed partnerships with other businesses around Indianapolis.
“We get our plants from Schlegel Greenhouse, which is a local business [with] a family connection to our owner,” Kellogg-Weeks said. “All [of] the plants in the store are available for sale … We [also offer] a [seasonal BBQ Mac & Cheese Pot Pie [through] a partnership we started with Half Liter … They provide the … smoked pork shoulder and barbecue sauce for [it].”
Additionally, overstock pies are donated to local food banks and community kitchens. No pie goes to waste at Pots & Pans Pie Co. — everything goes toward bringing the community together.
Those interested in learning how to prepare pies from scratch are also able to take baking classes at the location. They are perfect for aspiring chefs of all skill levels hoping to learn from professional bakers.
Pots & Pans Pie Co. is an excellent part of Butler’s surrounding neighborhood. Fresh food that is perfect for sharing between friends and roommates and within walking distance of campus is extremely valuable.