November is here — which means Thanksgiving is on its way, and it’s great to start planning early. Thanksgiving is full of traditions — some are family-related, some are sports-related. But an argument could be made that the most important traditions are the food traditions, because let’s face it, food is such an important part of this holiday. There is nothing better than a Thanksgiving pie made fresh and sweet. Several Montclair and Essex County businesses serve up sweet treats — the perfect pinnacle of pie for a Thanksgiving dinner. We’ve rounded up where to find Thanksgiving pies in Montclair and the greater Essex County area in New Jersey. Read on to learn where to get Thanksgiving pies this holiday season in and around Montclair and Essex County, New Jersey.
Disclaimer: This is a growing list. To request to be added, please send a note to [email protected].
The Able Baker | 187 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood
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The order deadline for Thanksgiving pies at this small business is November 20th, and there are a variety of options for every sweet tooth. Pumpkin, pecan, and salted maple pies are all available, but the local apple double-crust pie is the most popular option. You can pick up the pies on November 26th or November 27th; click here to order.
Gencarelli’s Bakery | 446 Broad Street, Bloomfield
This bakery is serving classic Thanksgiving pies, including apple crumb, the classic apple, and — although it’s not traditionally related to Thanksgiving — lemon meringue. Customers can also order sugar-free apple crumb and apple pies. There is no pre-order deadline, but a minimum of a 24-hour notice is required for all orders. See here for the menu.
Read More: Your Ultimate Guide to Thanksgiving Planning in Montclair + Essex County
In the Company of Yum | Based Out of Montclair
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This online pie company is a woman and minority-owned business selling stunning pies in a variety of flavors. Owner Jessica Glass works hard to ensure everyone can celebrate all occasions with pie. The Thanksgiving menu recently went live and features options like Grandma Eloise’s Sweet Potato, rum raisin apple, salted maple, and more. See here for the menu. The deadline to place orders is November 23rd.
Jayce Baudry French Pastry | 17 Church Street, Montclair
This French bakery is serving Thanksgiving pies for most of November. Customers can begin pre-ordering from November 11th through December 1st. The Thanksgiving menu can be found here, and it features stunning (we mean it, stunning) pies like the apple pie crumb, the pumpkin spice pie, and the chocolate pecan bourbon pie.
Ladyfingers Bakery + Bar | 1109 Broad Street, Bloomfield
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To satisfy your sweet tooth, Ladyfingers Bakery + Bar, sister restaurant of The Brookdale and Fanny’s, features 10-inch pies with flavors like chocolate pudding, apple, pumpkin, and pecan pie on its menu. Although there isn’t a pre-order deadline, pre-orders are encouraged, as there will be limited availability in-store. To place an order, email [email protected] or call 973-343-5110.
Le French Dad Boulangerie | 10 Church Street, Montclair
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Le French Dad will provide a variety of Thanksgiving pie options. Customers can expect to see apple, pumpkin, and pecan pie on the menu, as well as a box of seasonal doughnuts like apple cider, pumpkin spice, and more. The pre-order deadline is November 22nd, and the online order deadline is November 24th. All orders must be picked up at the Church Street location on November 26th or November 27th. To place orders, see here.
Libelula Bakery + Kitchen | 5 North Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
This spot brings Peruvian, Dominican, and Latino culinary culture to the Montclair food scene. This Thanksgiving, it will be providing Thanksgiving pies and even catering to order for the holiday. Pie choices include spiced apple pie, pumpkin tart, chocolate salted caramel, and pecan pie bars (sold in a dozen or half-dozen). Call the bakery + restaurant at 973-707-2082 for more information.
The Little Daisy Bake Shop | 622 Valley Road, Montclair
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Known for its colorful baked goods, such as cookies, cakes, scones, and whoopie pies, this Montclair shop has curated its own Thanksgiving menu. Pie choices include pumpkin pie, key lime pie, apple crumb pie, and a maple pumpkin cheesecake pie. Other sweets include pumpkin spice cake, a Thanksgiving-themed cake, and more. There is no pre-order deadline, but orders must be placed with a minimum of 24 hours’ notice and picked up on November 26th. Click here to browse the entire Thanksgiving selection.
Mattarello Bakery + Café | 254 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
With doughnuts, cakes, gluten-free items, and more, this local Montclair bakery is also a great place to buy holiday pies. From apple pie to Nutella pie to apricot, there are lots of yummy choices here. Readers can find the menu for online ordering here. There isn’t a set date for pre-order deadlines, but this bakery encourages customers to order before November 25th.
Palmer’s Bakehouse | 1 Highland Place, Maplewood
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At Palmer’s Bakehouse, pre-orders for pies are being accepted until November 19th. This includes the brown butter pecan pie, classic apple pie, and so much more. Biscuits, scones, and many other sweet options are also available. Pickups will be on November 26th and November 27th. Place your order here.
The Pie Store | 100 Watchung Avenue, Montclair
This bakery’s specialty is sweet and savory British pies, alongside groceries imported from the UK. The shop has in-store and online delivery, and the sweet pies, like apple and cran-apple, complement savory pies and hearty soups for a one-stop Thanksgiving shop.
Plum Bakery Gluten-Free | 179 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
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Gluten-free eaters: this one is for you. Plum Bakery is accepting orders until November 23rd at 3PM. The Thanksgiving online orders can be picked up on November 27th after 11AM. You can find options like apple crumb, cranberry apple crumb, coconut custard, pumpkin, and more. Click here to order.
Stuff by SJ | 342 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
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This woman-owned small business makes handmade cakes, cupcakes, treats, and — of course — pies. These beautiful Thanksgiving pies can be picked up ahead of time, or you can sign up for free local delivery on November 27th. On the menu are a pumpkin pecan streusel, a classic apple pie, a Dutch apple pie, and a classic pumpkin pie. You can pre-order your Thanksgiving pie here. There is no official pre-order deadline, but Stuffed by SJ recommends customers order before Sunday, November 24th.
See More: Your Guide to Thanksgiving Pies in Hoboken, Jersey City, + Bayonne
Bonus
Anthony’s Cheesecake + Restaurant | 71 Washington Street, Bloomfield
This bakery will serve a variety of holiday desserts. Thanksgiving pies may not be on the menu, but customers can order cheesecakes in the New York style, pumpkin, apple crumb, and more. Seven-layer cakes, quiches, and other baked goods, like homemade brown butter cookies and pumpkin swirl tres leches, will also be available. See the full menu here.
She Imagined Sweets | 147 Valley Road, Montclair
This charming little bakery, known for its mini cheesecake creations, will be open on Thanksgiving day from 12PM to 3PM and is taking holiday catering orders. This spot does not serve pies, but the “Flavors of Fall” package, which comes with pumpkin, caramel apple, and cinnamon roll cheesecakes, would make a great addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table.
A Taco Affair: A Woman-Owned Eatery Expanding Across New Jersey
This article is sponsored by A Taco Affair.
We might be biased, but New Jerseyans have a pretty keen eye for identifying top-notch flavors. That may explain why locals know and love A Taco Affair, a woman-owned fast-casual taco joint with globally inspired flavors that keep customers coming back for more. Since originating in Little Falls, the taco shop has opened two more locations (and a mobile taco truck) to enjoy in the Garden State: in Denville + Westfield. Read on to learn more about A Taco Affair, one of New Jersey’s favorite taco spots.
About A Taco Affair
Every dish at A Taco Affair tells a story thanks to chef and founder Jessica Phillips. Since opening in 2017, A Taco Affair has become a local favorite specializing in traditional flavors with a creative twist. Chef Jessica told MG, “All people that work in a kitchen have a story, and their story is what inspires A Taco Affair. ‘In my country’ is a phrase you often hear from kitchen workers, and if you're lucky enough, they'll share with you their memories of the food they consider ‘home’, and I hope that I can share these stories with you, here, through our food.”
Jessica recalls how spending a lot of time in local restaurants as a child ultimately inspired her to become a chef. She was always fascinated by the buzzing energy, atmosphere, and sense of family between restaurant staff, with a particular interest in what was happening in the kitchen. Jessica’s experience working in kitchens all over the US has been rewarding, but most of all, she says that “I have found that my food has been most influenced by the people I have had the privilege of working with, side by side; people I am proud to call friends and family.” A Taco Affair’s values are always rooted in people, culture, and heart above all.
Locations + More
Over the years, A Taco Affair has expanded to two more locations and a mobile food truck popping up at festivals, private events, and cities all over the area. A Taco Affair’s first brick-and-mortar location opened back in 2017 at 81 Main Street in Little Falls, New Jersey, and still stands proud today. Next came the Denville location at 2 Broadway, and as of late, the new Westfield location located at 27 Elm Street. All of A Taco Affair’s locations are BYOB establishments.
Besides sit-down quick service and tacos on the go, A Taco Affair also provides trusted catering services through their infamous taco truck or on a standard pick-up basis. The team can accommodate events big and small, ranging from parties of 6 to 200 people.
On The Menu
Fresh, quality ingredients are always the star of the show with dishes that are created completely in-house. Each day the meats are butchered, the sauces are created, the tortillas are pressed — and the difference is clear in the flavors. The team shared with MG that “fast casual dining CAN be delicious and gourmet, it's about ingredients and execution. There is nothing better as a chef than watching someone take a bite of your food and instantly smile. Food makes people happy- that's why we do this. Spreading happiness one taco at a time.”
Some stand-outs on the menu include the Steakhouse Taco (pictured below) (horseradish-marinated steak, BBQ caramelized onions, roasted potatoes, truffle aioli, and crumbled blue cheese). The Tofu Banh Mi is a colorful vegan taco made with soy-marinated tofu, pickled carrots, cucumber, cilantro, and sriracha aioli. And of course, the Totchos, which feature crispy tater tots, seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese sauce, pico de gallo, chipotle aioli, and guacamole. A Taco Affair has tons of allergy-friendly options, including several gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian dishes. Be sure to keep an eye out for monthly specials, too.
Customers can explore A Taco Affair’s various locations here. For more behind-the-scenes peeks, be sure to keep up with A Taco Affair on Instagram.
