The parking lot was half empty, the sign was faded, and I only stopped because I needed coffee. Then I saw the pie case, and my whole afternoon changed.
Across Nebraska, small cafes still roll their own crusts and whip meringue by hand, the slow way. Here are eight places where a slice of homemade pie is still part of the daily routine.
1. Farmer’s Daughter Cafe in Grand Island
Order your pie the second you walk through the door. That’s the unofficial rule at this downtown Grand Island cafe, where homemade slices disappear fast and latecomers end up staring at an empty pan.
Tall, golden peaks of coconut meringue sit on top of one of the most requested pies in the case. Peanut butter pie has its own loyal following, and the lineup also runs through chocolate, banana, lemon, and sour cream raisin…