Where’s the best place to buy a pie in Thurston County? Here’s the winner, readers say
After three rounds and nearly 1,000 votes, The Olympian has an answer to the question it has been asking for the past month: What is Thurston County’s favorite place to grab a pie?
With the championship round having wrapped up with a final score of 146 to 114, here’s who you chose as having the best pies in town:
Best pie bakery in Thurston County
Wagner’s Bakery & Cafe - 1013 Capitol Way, Olympia
What to know: Wagner’s has been an Olympia staple since 1963. The bakery was owned by Rudolf “Rudy” Wagner from its opening until 2018, when Wagner passed away at the age of 77.
“I’m not doing it for the money per se,” Wagner said in a 2003 story in The Olympian. “I’m doing it because I had a gentleman say, ‘You made my parents’ anniversary cake and my wedding cake; now I want you to do my kid’s wedding cake.’”
Wagner’s specializes in European baked goods — Rudy Wagner moved to the United States from Germany when he was 6 — but the bakery’s pies make it stand out in Olympia. The bakery sells small pies, about the size of a muffin, in various flavors, from key lime to strawberry rhubarb.
Along with a long list of pies, doughnuts and danishes, Wagner’s also has a small sandwich menu for those who want to grab a leisurely lunch.
The runner-up
Phoebe’s Pastry Cafe - 1800 Cooper Point Road SW, 106 Division St. NW
What to know: Phoebe’s may not have claimed the Thurston County pie crown, but it’s still one of the best bakeries in town.
Phoebe’s opened its first bakery in 2012 and enjoyed enough success to open a second cafe in 2016. Owned by local baker Phoebe Martinson, Phoebe’s specializes in homemade breakfast and lunch items and, of course, pies.
Martinson competed in the Food Network’s Halloween Baking Championship this year, featured in two episodes.
When it comes to pies, you can pick from a variety of options, such as cherry, blackberry and even peanut butter.
Olympia’s other favorite bakeries
Although only one bakery could win, the bracket started with eight different restaurants and bakeries. Check out the results of the previous rounds below and see if any other local favorites pique your interest:
This story was originally published October 11, 2023 at 12:19 PM.
