Pies-n-Thighs

We're all still raving about it. The reactions to this restaurant definitely set a high bar for future excursions. First, let me briefly set the scene with what I saw of Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Williamsburg is in a developmental stage right now. It is overflowing with artists of all kinds, preserved landmarks, and ethnic communities and yet it is also being gentrified and commercialized. It's an interesting patchwork of communities and a great place for young people to explore and have their senses overwhelmed.

The path we took from the train station to the restaurant was pretty desolate. There were a few stand-alone eateries/bars, but mostly just parked cars and unlabeled buildings, nothing to indicate that great food was just around the corner. While the streets were empty, Pies-n-Thighs was certainly not. It opens at 5pm and they take no reservations. By 7pm, there were no seats to be had, but people filed in, got their food to go and left.

The food was classically Southern. It was simple, but extraordinary. The plating wasn't fancy because all they needed to do was to let the food speak for itself. The restaurant was decorated with some pop art versions of the restaurant name and had tables packed along the walls. As we finished our meal, we realized that Johnny Depp had been watching over our meal. (If you go, you'll see what I mean.)

Fried Chicken Box Fried chicken can only be either really good or really bad. Most recently, I’ve had fried chicken twice and both times were really good. (The other time was in Amarillo. Whaddup Texas?!) The meat was succulent and juicy and because it was deep fried, the skin was crispy and salted. It's simple, but amazing.	Carolina Pulled Pork Box This dish was the complete package. The strips of juicy pork piled high on an open face bun were smoky and flavorful. It didn’t even need sauce. It all came with finely chopped slaw and pickles heaped on the other side. Try everything all at once and it will seriously be a party in your mouth.	Hushpuppies When I was younger I tried hushpuppies at a diner, but I didn't really know why there was so much hype around these little balls of fried cornmeal batter. At Pies-n-Thighs, my mind was forever changed. The outside is salted (similar to the fried chicken) and crunchy. This complements the slightly sweet and fluffy cornmeal inside which is also flavored with possibly green peppers. The hushpuppies also went well with the cool tartar sauce, poured on top.
Chicken & Waffles Strawberries, waffles, and chicken are an odd combination to think about, but I assure you, it worked. There was just a multitude of flavors that just seemed to fit: cinnamon, buckwheat waffles (thankfully not dry), syrup, and strawberries. All this eaten with the slightly salty fried chicken was perfect.	Fried Catfish Box Next time I go, I'll have to try everything on this plate. My fellow diners raved about the cheesy grits and the cornbread, which was buttery, moist and heavenly.	Chicken Biscuit This is a fried filet of chicken doused in hot sauce and then sandwiched in between two halves of a buttery, crumbly biscuit. I'm generally not a fan of hot sauce, but it wasn't as overpowering as I expected it to be. Surprisingly, just eating the biscuit in hot sauce was also really tasty.

DESSERT

All the Pie ...described in order of popularity. These pies were also very instagram worthy...	Apple Pie Classic just about sums up the experience of eating this slice of pie. It was just classic. Crisp and flaky crust surrounds a gooey interior of apple slices, loads of cinnamon, and sugar. (Although it was cold, it was still delicious.)	Pecan Pie How do I describe this? I mean the reaction is easy: wide eyes and hums of approval. There was a perfect balance between the syrupy filling and chopped pecans. It was a rich and dark dessert. I’m not sure exactly what ingredients were used, but there may have been molasses in it or corn syrup. It was beautiful.
Blackberry Pie You can see the blackberries in the photograph. They are real, so is this pie. It was tart which was a nice change from all of the other very sweet pies.	Lemon Chess Pie This just felt like a big piece of lemon bar. While it was good, I think I'd definitely focus on some of their other noteworthy pies.

Cuisine: American

166 S 4th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211

May 14, 2014

Pies-n-Thighs

We're all still raving about it. The reactions to this restaurant definitely set a high bar for future excursions. First, let me briefly set the scene with what I saw of Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Fried Chicken Box

Carolina Pulled Pork Box

This dish was the complete package. The strips of juicy pork piled high on an open face bun were smoky and flavorful. It didn’t even need sauce. It all came with finely chopped slaw and pickles heaped on the other side. Try everything all at once and it will seriously be a party in your mouth.

Hushpuppies

Chicken & Waffles

Fried Catfish Box

Next time I go, I'll have to try everything on this plate. My fellow diners raved about the cheesy grits and the cornbread, which was buttery, moist and heavenly.

Chicken Biscuit

This is a fried filet of chicken doused in hot sauce and then sandwiched in between two halves of a buttery, crumbly biscuit. I'm generally not a fan of hot sauce, but it wasn't as overpowering as I expected it to be. Surprisingly, just eating the biscuit in hot sauce was also really tasty.

All the Pie

...described in order of popularity. These pies were also very instagram worthy...

Apple Pie

Classic just about sums up the experience of eating this slice of pie. It was just classic. Crisp and flaky crust surrounds a gooey interior of apple slices, loads of cinnamon, and sugar. (Although it was cold, it was still delicious.)

Pecan Pie

Blackberry Pie

You can see the blackberries in the photograph. They are real, so is this pie. It was tart which was a nice change from all of the other very sweet pies.

Lemon Chess Pie

This just felt like a big piece of lemon bar. While it was good, I think I'd definitely focus on some of their other noteworthy pies.