The Pies Have It

Are mini pies the new cupcakes? Simplethings Sandwich and Pie Shop, on hip West 3rd Street, is hoping so. They make 16 different pies in three different sizes, but the most popular are the tiny “Cutie Pies,” which I gobbled down in about three bites each. Choices include such traditional pies as Apple, Key Lime, Missouri Mud and Coconut Cream, as well as more unusual pies such as Salted Caramel, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Banoffe (which is basically caramel and banana) and a Lemon Bar Pie. Much like Sprinkles Cupcakes, there’s a chart that tells you which days of the week they will have your favorite flavors. I thought the pies were pretty good and because they were so miniscule, I didn’t feel guilty for eating a couple of them.

But Simplethings is more than just mini pies. Their menu is essentially a modern, small-portioned take on some classic American comfort foods. The sandwiches include a Thanksgiving Sandwich (roast turkey, cranberry chutney, jalapeno cornbread stuffing and sage gravy on a michetti roll). I am not one to resist anything called a Thanksgiving Sandwich and although I didn’t love the bread, I thought it was pretty good. The Sweet Potato Sandwich (grilled sweet potatos, apples, jammy onions, chevre, and cumin coleslaw on a pretzel roll) was even better and the Pulled Chicken Sandwich (arugula, pickled onion, garlic aioli and chevre on a pretzel roll) was by far the best. They also have salads and five different kinds of savory pot pies including Steak and Lager, BBQ Pulled Pork, Chicken Curry and Portabella Mushroom. You can wash down your reconceived comfort fare with a cool vintage brand soda such as Cheerwine or Stewart’s Orange and Cream.

Simplethings Sandwich and Pie Shop is located at 8310 W 3rd Street in Los Angeles.

Thanksgiving Sandwich

I love places that sell vintage brand bottled sodas.

It's a modern pie shop.