For some reason, when the air starts to chill and the summer heat begins to recede, I start thinking about pie...especially creamy pies, and I go searching. Dupar's may not be the best pie in LA, but it is among the most comforting and traditional.
Yes, Dupar's, the last great diner in LA...home of great pancakes and perhaps the best Monte Cristo sandwich outside of Disneyland's Blue Bayou restaurant.
But I go for the cream pies. Coconut Cream, though the custard is a bit lumpy and the cream a bit sweet, makes me feel at home. The vanilla and coconut and flaky crust meld together to create the perfect comfort food.
The various cheesecake pies really are among the best in LA, with the sweet, smooth, creamy and distinctly non-New York style that melts in your mouth.
Chocolate cream pie is one of my favorite things, but alas, the Dupar's version does not measure up with a chocolate filling that is insufficiently chocolatey. For that, I must venture elsewhere.
Years ago, they used to have a toffee pie, made with Littlejohn's toffee from the Farmers' Market. This was a sweet, creamy dream of a pie, but I haven't seen it in years and the pie clerk gave me an empty look the last time I asked after it. Perhaps one day it will return, but until then, I will indulge in coconut.
Dupar's has two locations
3rd and Fairfax Farmers' Market; and
Studio City at the corner of Ventura and Laurel Canyon.
Where is Dupar's?
ReplyDeleteFor me the pies associated with fall are pumpkin and pecan. Have you tried House of Pies in Los Feliz? They're the only place I've found that makes pies as good as my mom's homemade ones.
Dupar's has two locations.
ReplyDeleteThe original is at the 3rd and Fairfax Farmers' Market.
Another is in Studio City at the corner of Ventura and Laurel Canyon.
I tried House of Pies a long time ago but don't have a distinct memory...will have to go back.
I must admit a soft spot for those side of the can pumpkin pie recipes (can o' pumpkin, evaporated milk, spices, etc.) and make them every Thanksgiving.
Yes, those side-of-the-can pumpkin pies are the ones my mom and I make, too. Although admittedly I haven't made a pumpkin pie in something like 10 years. Maybe this is the year to make one again.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to try Dupar's. There's so much in the Farmer's Market that I don't always realize what's there. I had no idea it was there.