Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits poses some downright tough dilemmas: Pie or biscuits? Key lime or mint-chocolate? Candied bacon or braised greens? The good news is, if you visit often enough, you'll be able to try it all. Other Chicagoans know this, too, as evidenced by the line that often stretches out the front door on warm summer days.
Whether you visit the Logan Square or Ravenswood outpost, there are usually six pies on the menu every day. The flavors rotate regularly, offering a taste of seasonal produce and funky flavor combinations concocted for special holidays. Come summer, diners might be able to grab a slice of lemon pie with tangy lemon cream, frothy lemon mousse and lip-smacking lemon curd. In the winter months, keep an eye out for more indulgent creations, like the chocolate-caramel pie with shortbread cookie crust. Key lime is available all year for good reason—it's an excellent example of what the little shop can do. Citrusy custard pools in a graham cracker crust before being topped with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. It's spectacularly simple yet inexplicably divine.
The biscuit menu is a bit more complex, with biscuit sandwiches, biscuits drowning in gravy and biscuits piled with eggs and candied bacon, among other iterations. First-timers will delight in the Scratch variety, which is served with seasonal butter and jam, allowing the dense but fluffy pastry to really shine. But that shouldn't keep you from ordering the avocado biscuit, which is topped with pickled fresnos, smoked feta, rich mole powder and fresh cilantro.
The ambiance is just as charming as the food, with picnic tables and blue-and-white checkered papers atop faux paper plates that are ideal for Instagramming. Enjoy a biscuit (and some dessert, naturally) on the outdoor patio if the weather is decent—and you need caffeinating, the iced coffee is dispensed via tap.
Vitals:
Atmosphere: Grab a spot in line and peek up at the menu board to see what's on tap that day. If you've got time to spare, wait for a seat to open up inside the small shop or outside on the sunny patio. To-go orders aren't frowned upon, either.
What to eat: Visit with a friend or two so that you can scratch sweet and savory cravings. A slice of pie, a biscuit sandwich and a side or two should satisfy a hungry couple.
What to drink: There aren't any Bloody Marys or mimosas here. Instead, order a cup of coffee (iced or hot), orange juice, lemonade or a good ole Topo Chico.
Where to sit: The tables inside turn over quickly, but if the sun is shining and the patio is open, a spot outside cannot be beat.