With the weather cooling down, the season for pumpkin spice is upon us, and the options around town are endless — but where can a student go to get a slice of pumpkin pie in Charlottesville? At Quality Pie, you can grab a slice of pie for a reasonable price. And with a menu full of savory dishes, the quality of the food goes beyond just their pie.
Atmosphere
Formerly home to the much-beloved Spudnut Shop — home of the Spudnuts — the retro building has been a favorite stop for townies and students looking for a cup of coffee and a donut. After 50 years of business, Spudnut closed in 2016, and the building remained empty until last summer in 2018 when Quality Pie opened.
The exterior is underwhelming, and it looks like it hasn’t changed much in those 50 years. An old sign from Spudnut boldly reads “Pepsi” and “Sandwiches,” which distracts from the main sign from across the road. Outside, there are several picnic tables in the front of the shop. Located around the Corner, there is a charming garden with more options for outdoor seating — the perfect spot for enjoying a summer day and a slice of blueberry pie.
Inside, the retro vibe is fun and colorful. With red counters and matching red bar stools, the atmosphere resembles a classic ‘50s-style diner. The bright blue walls are a nice contrast to the pops of color in the paintings hung throughout the diner. The space is small but surprisingly open and has plenty of seating. It’s an excellent place to gather with friends or strike up a conversation with a local or one of the many friendly staff members.
Accessibility
Located on Avon St. across from the Downtown Mall and the Sprint Pavilion, Quality Pie is incredibly easy to access. From Grounds, it is only a few minutes away by car, bus or scooter ride. There is a small parking lot in front of the building — on the day I stopped in for pie, there was just enough space for the lunch crowd on a Saturday afternoon. However, it is also an easy walk from the Downtown Mall, so you could park anywhere nearby. The building is just one level, making it wheelchair-accessible.
The hours are consistent during the weekdays and Saturday. Their hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The menu changes three times each day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so make sure you time your visit accordingly. Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., lunch lasts from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and small plates are served Monday through Friday 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Affordability
The drinks are super affordable, offering a wide selection of coffee, teas and espressos ranging in price from $2.50 to $4.50. The breakfast options are also quite affordable — between $4 and $12. Lunch is a bit more expensive, with quite a few dishes that are $10, but the portions are generous and the ingredients are fresh. The small plates are comparable in price to the lunch options, but the portions are more modest. Overall, the prices seem incredibly fair for both the quantity and quality of the food. The best deal going is a slice of pie, where a single slice will put you out just $2.
Appeal
At Quality Pie, the menu is quite extensive, and they offer a wide variety of dishes. Off their lunch menu, I ordered the avocado toast, which they top with avocado, red peppers, Gruyere cheese, arugula and an over-easy egg. It was $10, which seemed a bit pricey for toast — but my expectations were definitely exceeded. The portion is large with two slices, and the toppings are generous — I was not disappointed. It is clear that they use only fresh ingredients, and if it hadn’t been so delicious, I would have easily had leftovers.
Next, I ordered a slice of pie. It was a cool October day, so a slice of pumpkin pie seemed appropriate. My friend ordered a slice of blueberry. They serve the pie on a pretty floral plate with a side of fresh whipped cream — it is most definitely aesthetically pleasing. As far as the taste goes — well, it tastes like pie! Both of the slices we ordered were delicious. However, they were not as sweet as you might expect pie to be. This is not a complaint, though — I imagine that the slight lack of sugar is a testament to the freshness of the ingredients.
Overall, I am quite pleased with my first experience at Quality Pie. The food is impressive, and the pie is most definitely well-worth the $2. I look forward to returning to try their breakfast and small plates. This charming little diner is full of good vibes, affordable options and quality food, so what more could a hungry student ask for?
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