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First Slice Pie Cafe
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
First Slice Pie Cafe
8.3
A pie-and-quiche café that’s built for reliable comfort: big slices, sturdy crusts, and a rotating lineup that rewards showing up hungry. It shines when you pick one signature slice and keep the rest simple—don’t scatter your order across too many desserts.
Must-Try Dishes:
Key lime pie, Polka dot cheesecake, Quiche (daily selection)
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Old-school pie shop energy with serious slice variety and consistency.
Who should go: Pie loyalists and casual lunch people
When to visit: Afternoon for easiest grab-and-go
What to order: Key lime pie, polka dot cheesecake, a quiche slice
Insider tip: Commit to one centerpiece slice—your best bite stays loud.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking along Ashland and nearby side streets; availability varies and can be tight during peak hours. No dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable — jeans, sweaters, and everyday wear are standard.
Noise level: Low to moderate — generally calm, with some counter-order bustle during rushes.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes during peak afternoon/early evening pie hours; longer on holidays.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a short line for ordering.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple sweet pies and vegetarian quiche options available daily.
Vegan options: Limited — availability varies by day and rotating specials; not guaranteed.
Gluten-free options: Limited — occasional gluten-free items may appear, but cross-contamination is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want something casual and low-pressure. It’s more about sharing a great slice than lingering over a long meal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter service with open seating, so reservations aren’t part of the model.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — kids do well with the casual setup, sweet pies, and quick service. Best for elementary-age and up.
Best For
Better for: Big, classic pie slices and quiche with a true neighborhood bakery feel and strong consistency.
Skip if: You’re looking for a full-service dessert experience, highly specialized dietary options, or a quiet sit-down café for long conversations.
First Slice Pie Cafe
8.2
A bakery café where “breakfast” is best understood as coffee, a warmed savory bite, and a pie-case finish you take home. It’s an easy Andersonville stop for quick mornings—grab your staples, keep it simple, and treat dessert as the real signature play.
Must-Try Dishes:
Slice of pie, Savory quiche slice, Breakfast pastry
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A pie-first café that doubles as a fast, satisfying breakfast stop.
Who should go: Coffee-and-pastry regulars and quick breakfast grabbers
When to visit: Morning for the best case selection
What to order: Quiche slice, breakfast pastry, a slice of pie
Insider tip: Eat savory there—take pie to-go for later.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Clark Street and nearby side streets; generally manageable in the morning, tighter during weekend peak hours.
Dress code: Very casual—jeans, sneakers, and grab-and-go attire fit right in.
Noise level: Low to moderate—mostly counter orders, light conversation, and coffee-machine noise.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—this is a daytime bakery café and closes before dinner.
Weekday lunch: Short line at most; typically 5–10 minutes even during the late-morning rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—quiche, pastries, and several savory bakery items are vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited—some vegan pastries or sweets may be available, but options vary daily.
Gluten-free options: Limited—occasional gluten-free baked items; availability is not guaranteed.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for something very casual and quick—better as a low-pressure coffee stop than a sit-and-chat date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations, and seating is first-come, first-served with a fast turnover.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for short visits—kids do well with pastries and pie, but there’s limited space and no kid-specific amenities.
Best For
Better for: Quick breakfast stops, pie lovers, and solo mornings when you want something satisfying without committing to a full sit-down meal.
Skip if: You’re looking for a long, plated brunch, table service, or a menu built around eggs and pancakes.
First Slice Pie Cafe
8.2
A community-minded Andersonville pie shop that’s quietly excellent at fruit pies and simple café lunch—sandwiches, quiche, and coffee that actually fits the neighborhood pace. Treat it like a tight order: one savory item plus a slice, and you’ll leave happy without the sugar overload.
Must-Try Dishes:
Michigan sour cherry pie, Key lime pie, Quiche (daily)
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Pie-and-lunch café that balances real food with standout slices.
Who should go: Pie people and casual lunch regulars
When to visit: Weekday afternoons for the calmest vibe
What to order: Sour cherry pie, key lime pie, one quiche slice
Insider tip: Ask what’s freshest in the case—rotations sell out.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Clark Street; usually manageable midday, tighter during evening rush hours.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, sweaters, and everyday neighborhood wear fit right in.
Noise level: Low to moderate — easy conversation, café-level background noise.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak afternoon pie hours
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple vegetarian-friendly quiches, sandwiches, and most pies.
Vegan options: Limited — some fruit pies and occasional savory items; availability varies daily.
Gluten-free options: Limited — typically one or two gluten-free pie options when available; not a fully gluten-free kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially for a low-pressure daytime date — it’s relaxed, friendly, and gives you something to talk about without feeling formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-order and seat-yourself, with steady turnover outside of peak weekend afternoons.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — families, strollers, and kids are common, and slices plus simple lunch items make it easy for younger diners.
Best For
Better for: Fruit-forward pies, balanced sweet-and-savory lunches, and a genuine neighborhood café feel.
Skip if: You’re looking for elaborate desserts, late-night hours, or a full-service sit-down dining experience.
First Slice Pie Cafe
8.1
A low-key Andersonville lunch-and-pie stop that works well for casual working lunches: soups, salads, quiche, and sandwiches with a bakery case that can end the meeting on a high note. The best move is a savory main plus a single slice to split—enough to feel taken care of without slowing the day down.
Must-Try Dishes:
Key lime pie slice, Quiche of the day, Chicken salad sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A cafe lunch menu that ends with legit, bakery-case pie.
Who should go: Casual meetings and coworkers who want dessert options.
When to visit: Weekday lunch for the smoothest service.
What to order: Quiche, sandwich, key lime pie slice
Insider tip: Split one slice after lunch—picking multiple desserts slows everything down.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Clark Street; usually manageable midday but can tighten after 1pm.
Dress code: Casual—jeans, sweaters, and workday casual are the norm.
Noise level: Low to moderate—easy conversation even during lunch rush.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—primarily a daytime cafe.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; brief line possible right at noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple vegetarian soups, salads, quiche, and dessert options.
Vegan options: Limited—some soups or salads may fit, and select pies depending on the day.
Gluten-free options: Limited—salads and some rotating items work, but pies and baked goods are primarily not gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual daytime meet than a romantic first date—comfortable and friendly, but more cafe-functional than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are standard, and tables turn quickly at lunch.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—very approachable for kids, especially for early lunches and after-school pie stops.
Best For
Better for: Casual work lunches where dessert is part of the appeal and the pace stays relaxed.
Skip if: You need a polished client-facing lunch or a strictly savory, time-compressed meal.
First Slice Pie Cafe
7.8
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Business Lunch Power Players
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
A neighborhood café where cheap eats means a complete lunch—soup, salad, quiche, and a slice—without the meal turning into a time sink. Keep it structured (one savory main, then split one slice) and it’s an easy Andersonville workday win.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quiche slice, Soup + half sandwich combo, Key lime pie slice
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Savory café lunches that end with real, bakery-case pie.
Who should go: Casual meetings and solo lunch breaks
When to visit: Weekday lunch for smooth pacing
What to order: Quiche, soup, key lime pie slice
Insider tip: Split one slice after—multiple desserts slow the line and the meal.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Clark Street and nearby side streets; no valet. Can be tight during peak lunch hours but usually manageable with a short walk.
Dress code: Casual and practical—jeans, sweaters, workday attire all fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate at lunch—lively café hum but still workable for conversation.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—primarily a daytime café with limited evening hours.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes during peak noon rush; usually no wait outside that window.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple vegetarian-friendly soups, salads, quiches, and dessert options.
Vegan options: Limited—some soups or sides may work, and vegan-friendly pie slices appear occasionally, but not guaranteed daily.
Gluten-free options: Limited—gluten-free desserts are sometimes available, but savory mains are mostly not gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual daytime meet than a formal first date—it’s low-pressure and friendly, but more functional than romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there’s no reservation system. Arrive a bit before or after noon to avoid the lunch rush.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for school-age kids—simple food, quick service, and desserts work well, though seating is limited for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Fast, complete lunches that include dessert without inflating the bill or stretching the meal too long.
Skip if: You’re looking for a leisurely café hang, strong coffee culture, or a destination dessert-only stop.