The Pitchfork Pie Stand, located at the American Gothic House in Eldon, Iowa, is open during summer weekends, 12 to 5PM, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Opening Day for 2012 is May 26.

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Beth teaches pie making classes year-round. Classes are held in the American Gothic House. Please go to our Pie Parties page to learn more.

You can find us on Facebook for regular updates about pie happenings and Beth’s speaking and book events.

FAQ

Do you ship pies?
No, sorry. We have found that pies don’t travel well by post. Why not instead take one of Beth’s pie classes and then you can simply make your own whenever the craving strikes!

Do you make pies for weddings?
Oh, we would love to be able to make pies for weddings, lots and lots of pies, small pies, big pies, pies stacked in a tier to imitate a wedding cake. But given all our pies are made in the tiny kitchen of the American Gothic House, we are not set up for high-quantity production. Here’s a creative alternative, however: For the bachelorette party or bridal shower, Beth can teach the group how to make the pies, then that group can make the pies for the wedding. It’s a win-win!

Do you make cream pies?
We too love a fluffy meringue-topped banana cream pie sometimes, but because of refrigeration requirements, our baking license only allows us to sell non-cream pies.

Why aren’t you open during the week?
While we would love to have the Pitchfork Pie Stand open daily, we are a tiny operation with just one oven. And when she’s not baking, Beth is working on her next book, her blog, and other writing projects. Baking is her passion, not her full-time profession. She does, however, teach pie baking classes during the week.

We drove all the way from ___. Can’t we just knock on Beth’s door and ask if she has any pie?
If the pie stand is not open, please respect the privacy of the occupant. And while your curiosity may be overwhelming, remember: you wouldn’t want people peeking in your windows. If it’s just a food fix you’re looking for, you may not find homemade pie, but try The Canteen Lunch in the Alley in Ottumwa for a loose-meat burger. Or the soda fountain at South Side Drug on Ottumwa’s Church Street for old fashioned thick milkshakes for only $1.75.

The pie stand is inside the living room of the American Gothic House, so why can’t we tour the rest of the house?
The pie stand was originally set up in the side yard of the house, but due to rain, wind, extreme heat, and the fact that bees love pie, it became much easier and safer to move the pie stand to a sheltered, climate-controlled spot. The house itself is a private residence, famous only for its exterior, and has never been open for tours. Again, please respect the privacy of the occupant.