The Pie's the Thing at Mom's Apple Pie in Sebastopol

When we're travelling around the Bay Area, we always keep on the lookout for family-friendy (and budget-friendly) places to grab a bite to eat. We find ourselves in the west Sonoma County town of Sebastopol every fall and winter for apple picking, pumpkins, and Christmas trees, and one of our go-to places for a quick lunch or snack is Mom's Apple Pie, located on the north side of town at 4550 Gravenstein Highway North.

To be honest, the lunch part is just an excuse to go to Mom's and chow down on what she's famous for—homemade apple pies. As you might have figured out by its name, Mom's is all about the pie. Fresh baked, handmade apple pie takes center stage here. I think it's probably the best I've ever had, anywhere, and if you visit Mom's at the right time of year (August through November only) you can get apple pie that's made with Sebastopol's own Gravenstein apples. To make things even better, the Gravenstein apples come from the trees growing right behind the shop. The rest of the year the pies are made with Granny Smiths—but the Gravenstein pies are a special treat.

Mom's apple pie is fragrant with cinnamon and fresh apples, and the crust is flavorful and flaky. The pies themselves are huge. Get big slices ($3) to eat at the store or pick up a whole pie to take home or on your picnic (large $15.95; medium $6.95). If apple's not your thing, you can try any of the 15 other pies hanging out in the display cases, from cherry to banana cream to pecan to lemon meringue ($15.95–$17.95 and $6.95–$8.25). Mom's also makes a non-sugar version of their apple pie, which is sweetened only with apple juice concentrate. Other baked goods available at Mom's include cookies and apple turnovers.

Oh right—lunch. In addition to pie (you can just have pie for lunch, right?), Mom's serves up deli sandwiches on freshly baked bread, as well as salads and soups. Most sandwiches cost $6–$7 and come with either potato salad, macaroni salad, chips, and applesauce. We found that one sandwich is plenty for two children, especially when you're trying to save room for pie…

Service is friendly and efficient. Order at the counter and they'll bring your lunch—or pie—to you. Seating is available inside and outside. Inside, you'll find a selection of books and board games, so if you want to play a game of checkers while eating your slice of pie, go for it! Outside you'll find several tables under an arbor. With an orchard view and a burbling fountain made from an old dough mixing machine, it's a pleasant place to eat lunch on a nice day.

And before you ask, yes, there really is a Mom who runs things here. Betty Carr has run Mom's since 1979, when she and her late husband Harry bough roadside fruit stand which they converted to a deli. With eight acres of Graventstein apple trees on the property, it only made sense to start making pies, and in 1984 Mom's Apple Pie was born.

If you go

Mom's Apple Pie is located at 4550 Gravenstein Highway North (Highway 116), about five miles north of downtown Sebastopol.

Moms is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm (closed Easter, Fourth of July, Christmas, and New Year's Day). Credit cards are accepted.

For more information, call Mom's at (707) 823-8330 or visit www.momsapplepieusa.com.