Thursday, April 5, 2012

Hoosier Mama Pie Company (West Town)

1618 1/2 W. Chicago Avenue

OH SHIT.
PIE. PIE. PIE. PIE. PIE.
This is what I thought when I went most recently went to Hoosier Mama Pie Company. Pie is a dying dessert. You don't see it on menus much anymore. But a whole place devoted to the delectable dessert? YES. AND YUM. AND DOUBLE YUM.

Once you walk in, and smell what they are baking, oh my gosh. It's exhilarating. Invigorating. Enchanting. I never thought pie could be enchanting, but it is. It really is. The actual kitchen takes up more space than the seating area does and the place is so small that even the address is cut in half at 1618 1/2 Chicago Avenue. There are only three tables in the shop so when Becca and I wanted to sit down to eat we couldn't because they were all occupied, with more people walking in by the second. A couple sat in the little nook by the window and had clearly finished eating a while ago. They seemed to be exchanging some type of love language that I suppose can only take place in a pie shop so we resorted to sulking back to Becca's VW Jetta to consume our treats.

Pie. Glorious, magical pie.

Size constraints aside, let's get onto the eating part, which is the most important. I got a slice of chocolate cream pie and Becca got chocolate cream pie with bananas. We quickly started devouring these gargantuan, honkin' slices and then, the food silence happened. It's when whatever you're eating is so freakin' delicious and you're stuffing your face and you can't even stop enough to breathe let alone speak. The chocolate, the thick cream, the shaved curls of chocolate, the crust; superb. Every day they have 10 different kinds of pie to choose from, which include the classics such as apple and banana cream, but, there's also bourbon-pecan, fat elvis, and passion fruit meringue pie, to name a few out-of-the-ordinary flavors.

The shop! Mmmm

The couple in question.
You can also order pies ahead of time for pick-up (they require 2 days notice), which might be their more popular option since their storefront is not conducive to hanging out.

Get a slice of pie and a cup of coffee for $5. As my mom would say, "That's a deal at twice the price!"

NOTE: They are closed Mondays!


Very Best Vintage (West Town)

1919 W. Chicago Avenue
 I have wanted to visit this thrift store ever since I moved to Chicago five years ago. I never made it until this past Saturday when I was in the area. Very Best Vintage is colorful, adorable, fun, and a vintage-loving gal's dream, which would be my dream. I'm the 'gal' in that sentence.

After one run-through of the store I had picked up an armful of items to try on, including dresses, a few tops, and a skirt. Everything was appealing. Vintage shopping and thrifting can be overwhelming to the average lady or fella, but this is one of those stores that handpicks items from other resale shops or thrift stores and puts them all in one spot. The clothing was from the mid-1950s to 1980s. Tons of dresses filled the racks, which was surprising for being a smaller store. There was also a trunk full of scarves, which are my absolute most favorite-of-all-time item to buy at thrift stores. I actually had to cut down for a while because I kept buying them and buying them. So when I see a trunk full of them I geek out.

Black and yellow black and yellow black and yellow.....shift dress

Super unique items. A few housewares. Cute accessories. I want to go back and buy it all or just make that store my bedroom/house.

Unfortunately, there is only one tall rack of men's clothes. So if you're a dude, this shop isn't really worth a visit. But if you're looking to get your lady a little somethin' somethin', then come on down!


They also have an Etsy page! Or "like" them on Facebook! Or follow them on Tumblr!