“Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness.”
Jane Austen
The Top 5 winners of our Best Pies in New Jersey contest are….
Homestead Farmer’s Market in Lambertville. Established 23 years ago, the Homestead Farmers Market is known not only for its great baked goods, but for its great selection of locally grown produce as well. They offer a handy “Harvest Schedule” page on their website. This time of year, the folks at the Market tell me that, of course, Pumpkin pie is the most popular customer choice, but in the spring, it is the amazing sounding Peachberry Pie; Peaches, Cherries and Blueberries, Oh My!
Delicious Orchards in Colts Neck. The orchard was established in 1911. In 1959 after a successful summer of selling apples from a roadside stand, the 1200 square foot modern day Delicious Orchards was born. Over 2.5 million people visit Delicious Orchards each year. The DO people tout their Apple Pie as being a top pick by customers.
The Macaroon Shop in Avon-by-the-Sea. Here is another shop with quite a history. Established in 1930 on the first floor of the North End Hotel in Ocean Grove, the bakery operated as a seasonal business during the summer months. In 1981 they moved to their current location where they expanded their offerings to include cakes, cookies, danish, pies and desserts. The Macaroon shop is known for its old-fashioned Coconut Custard and Pecan Pies. And, their Macaroons are still shipped anywhere in the United States like they have been since 1930.
Sun High Orchards in Randolph dates back to 1945 when Fred and Ranghild Bostrom planted the first fruit trees on Sun High’s 25 acres. Sun High offers pick your own apples and pumpkins, pony rides, even on-site birthday parties. The owner, Joe Green, told Jersey Bites that their signature pies center around their home grown apples which include Regular Apple, Apple crumb, Apple Caramel Walnut, and Apple Raspberry pies.
Johnson’s Corner Farm in Medford. We’re not the first to notice Johnson’s Pies evidently. South Jersey Magazine beat us to it when they awarded Johnson’s Corner Farm with their “Best Apple Pie” award. Pretty impressive for a bakery that only opened its 1600 square foot, professional doors in 2007. In addition to their fresh baked goods, the farm offers a ton of activities for the kids including an upcoming visit with Santa on November 26th.
Congratulations to the winners and nominees !!
Vacchiano farms in Washington
Mendokers’ Bakery in Jamesburg
The Pie Store in Montclair
Mr. McGregor’s Garden in Jobstown
Marra’s Cafe and Bakery in Denville
Ye Olde Pie Shoppe in Little Silver
The General Store in Oldwick
Battleview Orchards in Freehold
DelPontes Lemon Meringue Pie (pictured in collage)
Four Seasons Diner, Eatontown
Every month, Jersey Bites will be polling our readers and Facebook/Twitter friends to get the inside scoop on the best bites in New Jersey. Coming in December: Jersey’s Best Fruitcake. Yes, we said it, Fruitcake!!! just in time for Christmas. I have a feeling this is going to get ugly. Come on, there has to be some places making yummy fruitcake and we’re counting on you to help us find them. We’ll be calling for nominations after December 1st.
Let us leave you with a famous quote from one of our idols.
“Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.” Jim Davis, ‘Garfield’
Happy Thanksgiving
