San Francisco - February 27, 2007

Upper Crust

Mission Pie

All your life you’ve been looking for signs. Once the Magic 8-Ball answered all yes-and-nos: Perm? Now horoscopes determine the big issues: Does the future hold a new pair of shoes?

If the next pressing question is Where to go for a damn good slice of sweet potato pie?, look no further than the corner of 25th and Mission, where a folded wooden sign with a pie and arrow directs you to Mission Pie.

The pint-size cafe dishes out seasonal, homemade pies in classic apple, sweet potato, walnut, pear raspberry, and banana cream, all with flaky crusts just like Grammy’s. Wash down a slice with organic Taylor Maid coffee or tea.

But there’s more to these pies than filling and crust: The place is run by the lady behind Pie Ranch, a farm on the San Mateo coast that teaches inner city kids how food gets from farm to table. Drop by on a school night, and you may be served by a Mission High student who’s attended courses at the ranch.

It’s pie with a conscience.

And a definite sign of the times.

Mission Pie, 2901 Mission Street, at 25th Street (415-282-1500 or pieranch.org).