PIEOWA Pie Passport

You asked, so here it is — a list of the pie shops and places featured in the documentary, PIEOWA : A PIECE OF AMERICA. If you visit any of these places, be sure to tell them you saw them in the film.

Listed in order of appearance in the film.

The Canteen Lunch in the Alley

This is Tom Arnold’s go-to place when he visits his hometown of Ottumwa. They’ve been serving loose meat burgers, milkshakes, and many flavors of pies since 1936.

Donnellson UCC Lunch

Featured in the “Church Lady Pie” segment. Lunches are held monthly during the fall, winter and spring. Free will donation.

Chef George Formaro

Featured in the pie crust segment and throughout the film, Chef Formaro is passionate about pie. “Because we’re in Iowa,” he favors a butter and lard crust. You can find his pies at Gateway Market, though they sell out fast.

Pie Mates Australian Bake House

Available at Des Moines Farmers Markets (Saturdays), Valley Junction Farmers Market (Thursdays), various cafes, and by special order. Follow them on Facebook to get their updates and pop-up locations.

The Egg Roll Ladies

Trang Pham, owner of Egg Roll Ladies, is a Vietnamese immigrant who has served in the US military for 15 years now. Her egg roll business is her way of giving back to the community. You can find her delicious egg rolls and rangoons at her downtown Des Moines location and her food truck stops.

The Classic Deli

Harold Keller, who helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima, loved pie so much they called him “Pie.” Right off interstate 80, just west of Des Moines, is Pie’s birthplace where there’s a monument to honor him and a diner with outstanding food — and pie.

Pies and Pastries by Lana

Lana Shope’s pies appear in the pie crust segment, as well as in the State Fair and RAGBRAI.has won countless blue ribbons for her pies. She has many flavors to choose from, but you need to order ahead for pickup at the Mickle Center in the Sherman Hill neighborhood.

The Bacon Box / Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe

Goldie’s is the year round location for The Bacon Box concessionaire that sells pecan pie on a stick at the Iowa State Fair. Have a pork tenderloin sandwich at Goldie’s, voted best in Iowa, but save room for pie.

Bonaparte Retreat

If you want to taste sour cream raisin pie, the State Pie of Iowa, the place to do it is at Bonaparte Retreat. A slice of it is pictured in the film. They usually have at least 6 kinds of pies to choose from, all made from scratch by a local baker.

Chellie’s Sugga Shack

For the biggest and best sweet potato pie in Iowa–and to meet one the nicest bakers–order a pie from Rachelle Long.

Kay’s Korner

During RAGBRAI, Mary Kay made hundreds of pies, including gluten free. She’s in her 80s and continues to make customers happy with her baked goods, including some very tasty cinnamon rolls. Call for hours.

Ames Methodist Church

Dr. Pie was featured here eating “fantastic” pecan pie during RAGBRAI. The “Pie Ladies” make 20 to 25 pies each month, sold frozen (unbaked) at the church. Call for availability and pickup times.

Necessities Mercantile

Their blueberry pie is pictured in the State Auditor’s PIE program segment. Their pie flavors change daily, but it’s always homemade, and they have excellent coffee to go with it. While you’re in Eldon, make sure to stop by the American Gothic House to pose for a photo.

Once Upon an Apple Pie

JoAnn Beeman started her business after winning a contest for the musical “Waitress.” They started at farmers markets but they now have a brick and mortar location in Grimes. They specialize in mini pies with flavors that change monthly. Their lemon chess pie is a favorite. Online ordering available.

Home Slice Handmade Pies

Laura Lacina opened her pie business out of her home during the pandemic. She now has a thriving shop in town and credits her success to her rotating flavors. You must try her Dutch Letter pie. It was of my favorite pies I tried while filming Pieowa.

The Pie Lady

Laura Bru is still busy baking in her “pie mobile” every August at the National Balloon Classic in Indianola, Iowa. You can also find her at the Cedar Falls Farmers Market on Saturdays from May to October. She pops up at many other locations and events, which she posts on Facebook.