House of Pies Restaurant & Bakery – The Woodlands, TX: A Sweet Slice of Comfort (with Reliable Diner Fare)
Location & Vibe:
1330 Lake Woodlands Dr, The Woodlands, TX, 77380.
This outpost of the beloved Houston institution brings its signature 24/7 diner charm to The Woodlands. Expect a classic, no-frills atmosphere: bright lighting, comfortable booths, counter seating, and the constant, tempting display case overflowing with pies. It’s bustling, family-friendly, and unapologetically nostalgic. Parking is plentiful in the shared plaza lot.
The Star: The Pies
▪︎ Variety: The claim holds true – they offer over 70 varieties of pie (though not ”every” type is available daily). Classics like Coconut Cream, French Silk, Key Lime, and Dutch Apple are staples, alongside seasonal rotations (like Pumpkin in fall, Strawberry in summer) and unique options like Chocolate Chess or Banana Cream.
▪︎ Quality: The pies are the undeniable highlight. Baked fresh daily on-site, the crusts are consistently flaky (butter/shortbread style, not always traditional flaky pastry), and fillings are generous and flavorful. The meringue is tall and lightly toasted, the whipped cream is real, and fruit fillings taste fresh.
▪︎ Price: Pie slices run around $7.95 - $8.95, whole pies $25-$30 (prices verified as of late 2023/early 2024 – common feedback is they’re pricey but generally aligned with quality/size).
The Supporting Cast: Diner Fare (Fact-Checked):
▪︎ Menu: Extensive 24/7 diner menu covering breakfast (huge omelets, pancakes, skillets), lunch/dinner (burgers, sandwiches, salads, meatloaf, chicken fried steak), and late-night cravings. Portions are generous and hearty.
▪︎ Quality: Food is reliably good, classic American comfort fare. Think hearty breakfasts with crispy hash browns, solid burgers on toasted buns, and well-executed diner staples. It’s not gourmet, but it’s consistently satisfying, hot, and fulfills the diner promise. Prices are mid-range ($10-$18 for most mains).
▪︎ Breakfast All Day: Confirmed! A major draw for many.
Service & Experience:
▪︎ Service is typically friendly and efficient, especially considering the volume. During peak hours (weekend brunch, late nights) or when large groups arrive, waits for tables and food can be longer, and the noise level rises significantly.
▪︎ The 24/7 operation is a verified major asset, making it a go-to for shift workers, post-concert crowds, early risers, and night owls craving pie at 3 AM.
Pros:
▪︎ Iconic, Outstanding Pies: The vast selection and consistent quality live up to the hype.
▪︎ True 24/7 Operation: A rare and valuable feature.
▪︎ Reliable, Generous Diner Food: Perfect for satisfying comfort food cravings any time.
▪︎ Consistent Experience: You know exactly what you’re getting – a dependable Houston/The Woodlands staple.
▪︎ Family-Friendly & Casual Atmosphere.
Cons:
▪︎ Can Get Loud & Crowded: Peak times are very busy and noisy. Not ideal for a quiet, intimate meal.
▪︎ Service Pace: Can slow down during extreme rushes.
▪︎ Pie Prices: Some find the pie slices/whole pies expensive (though quality generally justifies it for fans).
The Verdict:
House of Pies in The Woodlands delivers exactly what it promises: an extensive selection of delicious, freshly baked pies in a classic, bustling 24-hour diner setting. While the non-pie food is solid, dependable diner fare rather than revolutionary, the overall experience is highly satisfying. Go for the pie (it’s genuinely excellent), stay for the reliable comfort food, welcoming atmosphere, and the unbeatable convenience of being open whenever the craving strikes. It’s a must-visit for pie lovers and a valuable comfort-food anchor in The Woodlands dining scene.
Best For: Pie enthusiasts, late-night eats, breakfast any time, families, casual meals, comfort food seekers, groups (if you don’t...
Read moreFirst, my wife and I are big fans of the House of Pies on Westheimer in Houston. We tried the one in the Woodlands and well, here is my honest review... first, this place has been open barely a month so still lots of process issues and procedures that are not fully developed or followed or even thought of. We arrived at 3:30pm and had about a 15min wait (no biggie it was a Saturday). After being seated, it took our waitress some 15min to wait on us. When she did come she introduced herself and asked for her drink order... we responded that we were ready to order... to her instance on getting our drink order... so we told her... the she immediately turned to the other table and asked for their drink order. Ok.. my wife and I figured she was just running her routine. When she did come back... her attitude was still a bit rude or coarse... but maybe she was having a bad day. We ordered then asked her how to handle two additional take-home orders... she told us to do that in the front and she walked off. Ok... after standing at the counter in front of a register for about 10min... a very nice waiter took my order... he confided that this was not how it was suppose to be done but he hated seeing people wait unattended. 5 stars for this guy taking the initiative. That of course was a separate transaction from our table order. Now here is the kicker... once we finished... you have to pay up front at the counter... literally there were 20 people lined up to pay. Process and efficiency were not present but a man did open up another register and started things moving. All in all, food was 3.5 out of 5 stars. Service was a 2 out of 5 stars. Environment was nice... 4 out of 5 stars. Give the place about 60 days to get their act together. I have high hopes for it. Btw, the pie I had was bayou gooo... it...
Read moreThis was such an awful experience. I left hungry and disappointed with your staff this evening. In the beginning we waited for several minutes while the host walked around with plenty of tables open. Once seated our drinks took awhile to get out. She brought out my “homemade” chicken noodle soup and immediately I could tell it was a CAN product. Those noodles were so soggy and nasty. She brought out my potato and it was cold. I continued to mix it together looking for a warm spot. Never found a warm spot. The menu said the potato comes with cheese for a certain price but I was charged extra for my cheese that I didn’t even want. The table next to us with a man in a “thug life” hat had a problem with his steak and kept mentioning it and trying to get it resolved. They made him several steaks and he still wasn’t happy and In the end the manager let him have a whole strawberry cream pie. How awful to reward a customer for being difficult. Not once did my server ask how my meal was or if I needed a refill. I sat the remainder of the time waiting for her to come by to ask for a refill. I had asked her to bring the dessert menu to select a few pies to take back home. Just shortly after that’s when the manager came over and told the other table she would be giving them a whole pie to take home. Not a slice a WHOLE pie. I decided then not to buy the pies. I did buy a dozen cookies but only bc my child at home asked for them. I won’t be going back and will be sure to let others know of this experience. What a waste. I was prepared for long wait times and maybe a server who had their hands full. The restaurant wasn’t full or busy for that matter. Your food quality continues to...
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