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Blind taste test: The Best Pumpkin Pie in O.C.
November 19th, 2009, 6:08 am · 75 Comments · posted by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer
If you’re still wondering where to buy your pumpkin pie for the holidays, I might be able to help you.
I gathered my foodie friends one evening for a blind taste test of four pumpkin pies, three of which came from Orange County’s top bakery/restaurants.
My friends are brutally honest when it comes to food, especially dessert. Among the group of nine testers were: a dessert-making Goddess who spoils us rotten at every gathering with her sweet treats; a personal chef; and a year-round pumpkin pie fiend.
Clockwise: Trader Joe's, Coco's, Marie Callender's and Polly's Pies.
The test: I bought pies from Coco’s, Marie Callender’s and Polly’s Pies. I selected these bakeries because they are the main go-to brands for the holidays. Also, prices are roughly the same, ranging from about $11 to $12 per pie. (see Coco’s deal below)
Samples go out to testers.
To throw everyone off, I tossed in a wild card pie from Trader Joe’s. Each pie was assigned a number, and the group tasted a sample of each pie one at a time. The group knew which pies I bought, but I did not tell them what brand was being served during the sampling. After all the testing was complete, they voted for their favorite.
The Winner: Marie Callender's. Cost: $11.49
The verdict: Marie Callender’s (pie No. 2) logged the most votes (6) for offering the most sweet and crusty pumpkin pie. Coco’s got two votes; Polly’s, one vote; and zero for Trader Joe’s, which was universally loathed by all.
“Very good. Perfect crust, and pumpkin flavor,” one person noted of Pie No. 2, which was Marie Callender’s.
“Good,” someone wrote after tasting Pie No. 3 – Polly’s Pies, “but No. 2 is the best.”
Interesting observations:
Ironically, the Pumpkin Pie Fiend hated the Marie Callender’s pie writing, “BAD!” in all-caps in his notes. He instead, voted for the more spice-flavored Coco’s pie.
The Pumpkin Pie Fiend loved this Coco's pie.
The Fiend’s wife is not a pumpkin pie fan, but she is a foodie who used to write restaurant reviews for the Register. She also voted for Coco’s. (They did not sit near each other during the tasting!)
The Dessert Goddess cast the sole vote for Polly’s Pies. While most everyone was put off by the texture and lack of pumpkin flavor in this pie, The Dessert Goddess gave Polly’s a gold star for being “custardy” and for having “a nice balance of spices.”
“Looked bad, and tasted bad” were the main comments levied at pie No. 4 from Trader Joe’s, which cost $4.99. (I agreed. I did not vote, but I was really disappointed that Trader Joe’s would sell such a horrible pie. The Personal Chef, who used to work at the Trader Joe’s sample counter in Seattle, later told me that TJ’s bakery goods are notoriously awful. Now she tells me.)
Polly's Pie had a lighter look, and tasted more like a pumpkin custard pie. Cost: $10.49
Conclusion: I personally liked Marie Callender’s and Coco’s pies. If you’re going for a sweet, sugary, pumpkin-packed pie, go with Marie’s. If you want something with a bit more cinnamon and nutmeg flavor, go with Coco’s. I had high hopes for Polly’s Pies, but I couldn’t get past the custard taste. It was too eggy for me. But, hey, remember, the Dessert Goddess loved it!
Tell us: Did our unscientific taste test get it right? Did we choose the best pumpkin pie? Do you know of a better value pumpkin pie? Write in and let us know. For some unique pie recommendations in O.C., go to YelpOC.
Coco’s deal alert: In an unprecedented move, Coco’s is discounting its pumpkin pies for the holidays. The price: $6.99 through the end of the year. (The deal is also good at Coco’s sister chain Carrows. The Carrows pie was not sampled for this test, but Coco’s reps say the pie is the same as Coco’s.)
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what about costco?very good!
I thought about Costco but I wanted to pick a market that everyone had access to. I really did think Trader Joe’s might have a good pie. Afterward, I wished I had used Costco. BTW, Sprouts makes a good pie, but there’s not too many of them around.
i actually think that most of trader joe’s items are notoriously terrible, not just their bakery goods like your friend said. but that’s just me i guess. i know most people love trader joes. but to me there’s just something very institutional about their store-branded foods.
Ya, the Costco pie is pretty good! It’s also huge and I think $5!
Sprouts???
I know where I am going for lunch then!
Costco’s are terrible!!!
I would like to rate them positively because I like the size. But they fall way short on taste and that is what counts.
Von’s Pumpkin pie’s taste great and are a good value. Nancy, can you run the test again amongst Grocery Pies. Granted I would like people to buy from Molley’s and Marie Calendar’s because Lord knows they need the business and I would hate to have more layoffs.
Surprised said “I would like people to buy from Molley’s and Marie Calendar’s because Lord knows they need the business and I would hate to have more layoffs.”
I find this interesting because the pies are very expensive at Polly’s and Marie Callendar’s also I ate a Maries for the first time in a year, I felt the restaurant was a ghost town at 6:00pm in the evening. I hope Maries can survive. I always liked Maries pies, even the picture does it justice, Maries looks best.
PS Why is comment moderation on, did I do something wrong?
jojo: you didn’t do anything wrong. Due to people violating our Comment Policy lately, I have to moderate each comment now until all of you start to behave. In other words, you are ALL in time out because of a few bad apples. Sorry, for the delay, but I can’t write, report and moderate at the same time…..
Hopefully, I can loosen up the policy soon.
Yay, I’m the first comment of the day! (it pays to wake up early b/c DS jumped on your bed at the crack of dawn.
Anway, I think y’all got it right. I’ve always liked Marie’s pumpkin pie best for the reason’s y’all mentioned. I recall awhile back CoCo’s used to tout how it beat out Marie’s in terms of pies, but I always thought that was completely inaccurate.
What the!? how did it post twice and then leave off my first sentence in the first one!? Something screwy going on here! Please delete the first one and this one please!
you should have sampled costco pies, because that is where most people buy them.
I think Costco makes a heck of a pumpkin pie this time of year………plus it’s considerably larger than a regular pie………
I would like to see a sample of Costco and Sam’s club pies in addition to the frozen and bake yourself pies! Restaurants are not my go to for pie - especially pumpkin. Typically I buy the frozen ready to bake or Costco/Sam’s so I’m interested in the difference between those!
If you want a slightly different type of pumpkin pie with great flavor - try the Pumpkin Cheese Cake from Fresh & Easy $5.99! The bottom is plain cheese cake top is pumpkin with an awesome peacon brown sugar crumble on the top!
CR - I agree - love Fresh & Easy’s pies! They are definitely a better buy for your money - she really should have tested a pie from there since it is just as popular as Trader Joes’s
Definitely go to Costco for their pumpkin pies..cheaper, bigger and just as tasty as Marie’s. Sam’s is okay not as good as Costco’s though.
Here’s a tip…I went one year to Costco for pumpkin pie the evening before Thanksgiving and the line ran along one side of the store (original Tustin) waited almost 30-40 minutes..so go early!
One more vote for the Costco pie!
According to my boyfriend, he loved Sam’s Club pumpkin pie over the Costco’s pumpkin pie. He said “there was more flavor and texture in the Sam’s PP than Costco’s.”
I do not like pumpkin pie… I do like Golden Spoon’s pumpkin pie frozen yogurt. My bf’s comment on this, “It’s alright.” I, myself, likes it and for those who do not like pumpkin pie yet they love fro-yo or ice cream give this a try!
Nancy, you shoulda threw costco into da mix. Seems like everyone buys this one. I have to say though, the best pumpkin pie I ever had was one my friend brought from Hawaii. I forgot the name of the place. It had a layer of some type of coconut pudding. It was the all time best!!
thanks for this pie off! love it!
Yeah, I was surprised that Costco wasn’t included. Perhaps a second contest just between markets?
I would hazard that all pumpkin pie is good pumpkin pie.
Also, I am quite concerned about the impact of “the great pumpkin shortage,” which may limit my opportunities to continue pumpkin pie consumption through Christmas this year.
I cannot believe you left out the Costco Punpkin Pie. They are delicious. The crust is flaky, the filling is seasoned to perfection and the price is right (about 7 or 8 dollars). This contest has to be done over that’s for sure.
They are good, but mushy in the center.
Does anybody bake anymore? Heck the easiest pie to make is a pumpkin pie…….and no restaurant can top mine.
Polly’s wins hands down for my family. The crust is divine too. We’ve never tried the Costco pumpkin, but the apple is delicious.
Pumpkin pie is so easy to make. Just make your own. It always tastes better than these store bought pies.
Not easier than just pulling off the counter, still too much work and the taste difference isn’t much compared to store bought.
Great idea Diver Next contest Costco vs. Sams Club vs Walmart (do they have a pie?) vs. Ralphs etc etc….
Costco is the best.
It outflavors all of them, and everytime i serve it, everyone always wants seconds. (i wish i could tell them i make it)
I would deff put Costco in your next taste test. In this economy, everyone shops at Costco.
Coco’s all the way, though I’d settle for Costco in a pinch.
My mom’s PUMPKIN Pies are the best, and her Banana Cream pie is to die for. LOL!
I did not like the pumpkin pie from Sprouts! It had an artificial sugar flavor although none was listed in the ingredients. Whatever natural sugar source they used made it taste fake. The pie also contains no trans fats which might have contributed to the dry, tasteless crust.
Seriously people…… make your own pie. Store bought pumpkin pie is crap!
Not unless you’ve had one I made from scratch…then you’d want a store bought one.
The pumpkin pie at Beverly’s Best bakery in Fullerton is the best i’ve had
Judging from the amount of garlic in all of Trader Joes foods, I’m not surprised.
If I don’t make my own pie, I go with Julian Pie Company…..soooo good!! They sell them at some of the markets in the San Diego area, but if I have to, I’ll drive all the way to Julian to get one!
I agree with this article Maries do have the best pies I think all year round and def should take the win for best pumpkin.
Although not a true pumpkin pie, the Harvest pie at Coco’s is really good
The Fresh & Easy pies are excellent and on sale for $3.99 right now. It would be hard to beat them. I would like to limit you all to one pie per household so they don’t run out! LOL
is it really a pie, or a “pumpkin cheesecake” as someone mentioned above?
I hate F&E but I’d definitely go for it assuming it’s a true pumpkin pie.
No cheesecake pie, a real pumpkin pie for $3.99 @ F&E
I really did not want to bake this year. when my husband heard this he exclaimed, “Noooo…!” then he rushed to the pantry and waved a can of Libby’s at me. so, i…guess…i’ll bake him a pie. cannot make a decent crust, though. any links for a good one?
Cook’s Illustrated has a good recipe (secret ingredient is Vodka). Just search Google for
cook’s illustrated pie crust recipe
i second Cooks Illustrated pie crust. It’s really great, flaky and buttery. Delicious!
Just wanted to say THANKS Nancy for the timely article.
Trader Joe’s is over-rated. Their bread is marginal (always bordering on stale).
I would like to have seen Baker’s Square compared instead of Trader Joe’s but these choices are more common near Huntsville. Awesome blind taste test, great job!
Go to your local farmers market. Buy a sugar pumpkin or two. Cut in half. Scoop out the strings and seeds (save the seeds for baking later). Bake on a cookie sheet, rind side up with a little water in the pan in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Cool and scrape out the flesh and mash. Season to your hearts content. It’s too easy NOT to do it this way, and it makes the house smell DIVINE!
Hi There!
I make the pumpkin pies for trader joe’s! (and a few other products, cookies, etc). I guess about 100,000 people disagree with you so far this year! But that’s only about 999,996 more people trying this product thatn your expert panel. In fact, our sales for this item are up about 35 per cent from last year. I guess the masses do not have such refined palates as you and your 3 or 4 friends. We have actually been selling this recipe, at an unbelievable price, for many years.
Perhaos your “experts” and yourself should realize how irresponsible it is to compare a product that costs less than half of the other products. Don’t your experts realize, that when things cost more, they usually have more gourmet ingredients. Well, now you are educated.
We try and get something which everyone can afford and enjoy, not just you and your friends who can afford 12 dollar pies. We havr gotten many compliments over the years, and our sales continue to grow. I’ve eaten many of the baked goods from other companies, and maybe your former Trader Joe samples person has a bone to pick with trader joe’s, so calls ALL the products notoriously bad. (I’m not responsible for seattle, maybe one or 2 products every now and then).
I am also a Trader Joe shopper, and love many of the other company’s baked goods. And a former caterer and testing chef for Bon Appetit magazine.
But thank you for your opinions. But for the readers, please form your own opinions. And for a great tasting, reasonably priced pumpkin pie, give trader joe’s a try!
Wow Wendy Sue. That was mature! Make Trader Joe’s proud!
Wendysue is gonna come on a blog,rant about her “great pie” getting slammed as if it’s the only time she’s been criticized. If you have the background and expertise you claim to have,why get all bent out of shape over an article. And maybe TJ shouldn’t have been included because its a market and most market baked goods are gross and bland! Nancy’s panel did you a favor by including it in a contest with bakeries anyway!
Thanks, Wendy Sue, for chiming in. What does everyonel think about Wendy Sue’s argument? Should an $11-12 pie be that much more better than a $5 pie?
By the way, I didn’t say this in the post, but I bought the bakery pies during the October pie sale, so all of them (but TJ’s) were actually $6.99. Nancy
Wendy Sue, I gonna have to say your pie at Tj’s is pretty much tasteless. Stater Bros five dollar is much better than Tj’s pie. As a matter of fact the cookies are pretty much bland and tasteless. Maybe you should try tasting some of the S.O.S. recipes that the LA Times prints.
In response:
Price means nothing. I think it comes down to individual taste. If you put 5 pumpkin pies in front of me in a blind taste test I will choose the one that best appeals to me by what tastes the best. If the one I choose was only $5 and I choose it over the $12 pie then I will buy the $5 pie. Same goes for wine, burgers, etc. That’s why I wrote that just because The Catch burger is $15 or so that doesn’t mean it’s better than a $6 burger. At least for me it comes down to what my taste buds enjoy!
Thanks for the great info you keep supplying us!
Who cares about the price. It’s all about taste and now we are better informed thanks to the FFM. Get over it wendy sue not everyone has to love your pie. As a matter a fact, I never buy pastries from Trader Joes, they just dont seem that appealing. I would much rather buy a coco’s $6.99 than $5 tjs pie. Please don’t insult the intelligence of FFM’s readers, I have learned so much from reading this blog and learned that the loyal readers here are smart and do form their own opinions.
Thanks Mike, and by the way, Trader Joe’s just sent me this statement when asked about WendySue:
“Trader Joe’s does not condone the statements of this blogger.”
I’ve had Trader Joe’s pumpkin pie and I didn’t like it, either. Wow, amazing…I formed my own opinion. I’d question her alleged sales figures, too, unless she’s willing to back ‘em up with undoctored proof. After all, anyone can say their sales figures are up when they’re not.
Sounds like Wendy Sue is upset because she makes a poor pie
In anything and everything that is made, whether in your own kitchen or in a company’s/restaurants/grocery/specialty store creation NEEDS to be made with REAL ingredients. There is a thing called putting in too much of one thing and not enough of the other. Of course each and everyone on this bloody planet does NOT have the SAME palate as the person next to you.
I believe that “yes” to each of his or her own! I rely on individuals who have eaten at the local eateries or tried pumpkin or apple pies from known restaurants or stores, etc.
We all have our opinions on products and I personally support Ms. Luna who makes the daring effort each day (and night) to share the information we like or may not like to hear.
thank you FFM
Thanks Erika…
Oh yes, here’s one more chime. In your comparisons, you don’t mention anything about ingredients, nutritional information, etc. I happen to know some of those other pies are made with artificual ingredients, trans fats, etc. Things which I’m sure many of your readers also care about. Our products (which have also been in whole foods and costcos, and tons of other places) are made with fresh, whole ingredients, no trans fats, no artifical ingredients of any kind. Pumpkin, whole fresh eggs, pure vanilla. Absolutely nothing artificial. Everyone has different taste buds. And nutritional needs. Happy thanksgiving, everyone.
Wendysue: This is a restaurant and food news blog that caters to diners and grocery shoppers. This is NOT a cooking blog, and it is not a health blog. Please do your research before making assumptions about my readers.
Also, don’t get bent out of shape over a fun, yet revealing, blind taste test. Clearly, Trader Joe’s has your business. So, what are you worried about ?
Also, if you are a legit TJ supplier, I have to wonder: Would Trader Joe’s approve that you are making comments here on my blog? TJ loves to control their PR messages….
Alison, are you reading this back at Corporate?
and third and last chime, i promise. Sorry about typos! (artificial…)
WEndy sue get over it,your pie taste like crap! You can spout all you want about healthy ingredients,like I care about that when I’m eating a slice of pie. Take for example what people say about Starbucks. I for one think they make disgusting, bitter, coffee,and yet they have legions of fans. Not everyone is going to like you,your pies,whatever! GEt over it already!!!
Goodness! It’s about taste!!! The people didn’t like Trader Joe’s pumpking pie in comparison to the other pies!! Get over it! No one cares about the indredients that were used or not used! Where or how it was made, was it raining or was the sun shining, etc?? Did TJ’s pie taste good?? Once again, in comparison to the other pies?? Maybe there should be another taste test?? If Wendy Sue is so adamant that her pie is scrumptious, let there be a Pumpkin Pie Smackdown for goodness sakes! Seriously!
I love this!
What about Bonert’s Slice of Pie in Santa Ana? Pretty tasty and $3.00 every day!
Maybe FFM should compare TJ pies with Hostess pies
If more people prefer the TJ pie, I doubt if the Hostess people would say its because TJ pie cost $5 while a hostess pie cost $1
I am a big fan of the Maven
Hey Nancy
The Fresh and Easy pie referred to in some of the posts above has been recalled due to the pecan NOT being listed in the ingredients. Just thought you might like to know.
Yes, thank you…You are one step ahead of me, as I just posted a story about the recall in our HealthyLiving blog.
http://healthyliving.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/20/fresh-easy-recalls-pumpkin-cheesecake-pies/13207/
Enjoy your vacation. Being from the east coast and having a best friend whose family lived in Orlando, we used to do the trek from Maryland to Florida every spring break. We used to do Epcot all the time with the various girlfriends we had WAYYY back then. Good times! Happy Turkey Day to you and yours
Wendysue needs to shut her pie-hole - Our dogs love the pies from Trader Joes, but we prefer to buy ours from the Four Season’s Hotel.
fyi..you can get them on sale this week for 49.99 per pie; whipped cream is extra.
I agree with many of the others , you need to check out the Pumpkin Pie at Costco , the custard is cook and seasoned to perfection and it had the best crust I think in any store bought pie I ever had. Plus it is a great value given that its the same cost as any other pie and at least twice the size.
You also know that the pies at Costco during the holiday rushes fly off the shelf so they tend to only be hours old.