Miz Lynn's Pies Bring Bites of New England and the South to S.F.

Tamara Palmer

​Ernest East started baking pies in San Francisco 13 years ago under the name Piney's Baking Company, and redubbed himself Miz Lynn's Pies in 2000 as a tribute to a cousin who inspires him. We think East's miniature pecan and sweet potato pies are fine examples of the Southern staples, if admittedly "reworked for a more health-conscious, San Francisco flavor" according to the Web site. But his latest, a New England-style lemon chess pie, is both more unusual around these parts and the quietly sweet-tart star of the Miz Lynn's product line.

Lemon chess filling tastes like a hybrid of lemon curd and custard, with the toothsome addition of yellow cornmeal for heft. The pies are handheld, so don't get any cute ideas like we did about trying to eat just a portion of it in one sitting, because you will fail miserably and eat the whole thing. Miz Lynn's Pies are available at Cal football games, Big Nate's BBQ, as well as local outlets of Mollie Stone's, Good Life, and Andronico's grocers. Or just order them online.