Roanoke has recently been named the Unique Food Capital of Texas. Restaurants such as Babe’s, Twisted Root Burger Co., Cowboy Chow and Tortilla Flats occupy Oak Street in the downtown area. But there is one place that has captured the old country store feel of Babe’s, minus the fried chicken. Right next door to Babe’s is Oak Street Pie and Candy Co.

As soon as customers walk into the shop, they feel as if they’ve been taken back in time to an early 1900’s general store. Woven wooden baskets are filled to the brim with candy. Curtains designed by the owner Carol Southern look like woven piecrust and line the windows. The smell of delicious baked goods makes the atmosphere feel instantly cozy and inviting.

However, the real showcase is the pie. Recipes have been passed down from Southern’s mother and her aunt, and she has also built on simpler recipes. The result is pie that feels old-fashioned and unique. At $3.50 a slice, they don’t cost that much either.The Marquee decided to take a look at a few of their best sellers.

Buttermilk

With one bite into a slice of the Buttermilk Pie, one is automatically taken to the dining room table, eating pancakes on a Sunday morning.  The light, fluffy texture satisfies the taste buds, fooling them into believing that this dessert is actually breakfast. Like most buttermilk flavored desserts, this pie has a sharp and almost sour taste. It is a little bit sweet but on the verge of plainness.  It isn’t necessarily the greatest of the group, but it is definitely worth a try.

Coconut

The Coconut Pie contains basic custard filling along with a towering pile of merinque. Pieces of coconut top off the dessert, adding a crispy texture. The pie is served chilled and is creamy and sweet but not tart. The mixed-in coconut shavings give the pie a texture without being overpowering and thick. In addition, this pie has an authentic coconut flavor unlike other pies that often come off as fake. The pie would perfectly top off a classic summer barbeque.

German Chocolate

The German Chocolate Pie is scrumptiously delicious. Warm gooiness melts in your mouth with each bite. The pie is richly sweet without being overly so.  Sprinkles of coconut are baked on top, and while they add a slight crispiness, they don’t take away from the moistness of the rest of the pie. The bakers certainly don’t skimp on size either. Customers are given satisfyingly large portions. This pie would fit perfectly with a Thanksgiving turkey dinner.

Blackberry Cobbler

Sweetness and tartness are packed into the shop’s Blackberry Cobbler. Each serving is filled with fresh blackberries, which take  the customer out into the countryside. Since it is a cobbler, it is a lot soupier than the pies. In fact, it is served in a bowl rather than on a plate. Most of the crust is hidden under the berries and their purple juice, but it  tastes delicious all the same. This cobbler is practically the definition of a sweet summery dessert.