Alice B.
Yelp
I wouldn't normally update a review so soon, but I feel the need to apologize, because I am a giant liar. Or perhaps, I just don't know myself as well as I thought I did. After my initial visit to Knowrealitypie, I figured, hmm very good, but this isn't something I'd spring for all the time, for a variety of reasons: price point, convenience, etc. A once-in-a-while treat, I thought.
Wrong. So wrong. Having splurged on five slices my first visit, I didn't get through them all in one sitting. That'd be a tall order, even at my level of pie fiendism. As my day progressed, I found myself unable to forget about the leftover pie in my kitchen. That peach pie was calling my name. So much so that I returned to the shop the very next morning, when I was not only able to grab one of the last slices of pie remaining, but I had the fortune of running into Tracy herself.
She was super friendly, and I couldn't help but corner her with all sorts of questions about the format (minis over whole pie slices) and the packaging. She was happy to share, and explained to me all the iterations she went through of trying all sorts of pie and packaging shapes in order to comply not only with customer preferences but health department regulations.
I had nitpicked on the abundant plastic packaging, but she explained she had tried several recyclable packaging and display options, but that due to the exposed ceiling of the shop, the transparent clamshells were so far the best options they had found to both cover the pies, as demanded by the city, and allow them to be displayed visibly, as customers had insisted. I stated a preference for pie slices over minis due to the ratio of filling to crust, and she explained she had played around with both options, but that the minis seemed to be the more popular choice, which I can certainly understand. No matter what you do, there's always going to be those who ask for your product to be a different way.
I had the best time chatting with Tracy about her business, and her level of passion for her work was abundantly clear. I feel that my patronage to her business is partially self-serving, because how can you not feel good supporting a local small business with such sincerity? I challenge you to try.
So since my first visit, I've now been to Tracy's shop four times in three weeks. I think it's safe to say that I'm hooked. By the end of the weekend, I'm already looking forward to the flavors of the next. That's the joy of the rotating menu. But I also look forward to my favorites (yes, I already have favorites). I thought the Salted Caramel Mango Pie sounded twee at first, but my words were eaten as soon as my first bite, because this pie is pastry nirvana. When you eat Salted Caramel Mango Pie from Knowrealitypie, palm trees dance and angels sing. Salted Caramel Mango Pie will turn you from a generous, dessert-sharing wife to a wife who hoards it in hidden places. No, the KCRW awards do not lie. Yes, this pie deserves rave and acclaim.
As a selfish hoarder, I feel nervous sharing this information because I admittedly want this pie all to myself. But I have no choice, because I can't in good conscience keep this quiet. Social justice demands my cooperation. And it's okay, because it'll probably still work to my benefit if my shared knowledge helps lend even a little bit to keeping Tracy baking these pies. And because I know that no matter what, I'll probably still get there earlier than you will.