A dedicated pie shop specializing in individually-sized sweet and savory pies is coming this spring to University Heights. Founded by SoCal native Steven Torres, a local business banker, and Suebtrakarn (Gan) Suebsarakham, a recent MBA-grad who studied pastry at an area culinary school, Pop Pie Co. will be an anchor tenant in a building at the corner of Park and Meade owned by Nick Zanoni (Sycamore Den, Burnside), who says he chose Torres and Suebsarkham as tenants because of their unique concept, telling Eater, "the venue will be an authentic owner-operated venue for University Heights at the gateway to its business district".
Pop Pie Co. will be both a fast-casual eatery and a third wave coffee bar. Torres, a coffee aficionado, is installing a top of the line espresso machine that will make a full lineup of espresso drinks using a variety local roasters. The coffee drinks will be orderable from a walk-up window on the Park side of the 40-seat, 1,100-square-foot space, which will include an outdoor patio and is being put together by local Tec/Scape Design.
The counter service-style restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, offering everything from breakfast pies to savory pies paired with warm and cold salads and sides as lunch or dinner combos; the five-inch savory pies will have fillings that run from steak and ale to five-spice barbecue pork, carnitas and a curry chicken variety inspired by Suebsarakham's native Thailand. The three-inch sweet pies will also be globally influenced and include flavors such as Mexican chocolate, coconut cream, taro, Earl Grey tea and strawberry milkshake. Pop Pie Co. will also offer vegan and gluten-free version of select pies. And beverages will range from fresh juices to craft beer (six taps) and wine.