MUNCHIES . Restaurants [CA] . Heidi’s Pies

by Kris   ⋅   January 24, 2006   ⋅   Comment now   ⋅    RSS

I passed by this place on El Camino while attempting to avoid the 101S semi-traffic sludge between SFO and San Mateo and mistook it for that other pie place out of Berkeley I believe (sorry, can’t remember atm) that makes killer spinach calzone-type “pies” which are large and in charge. But anyways, this place looked Diner-style and Chris and I are always on a taste test quest for the ultimate baked goodies and onion rings. We immediately noticed service was warm and the list of desserts long. There were many regulars; almost everyone seemed to be greeted by their first names. The place was packed for Sunday brunch so we luckily snagged the very last available table. We ordered a veggie omelette which comes with pancakes (three buttermilk or two sweet potato –but they gave us three!), hash browns and toast, hot chocolate, a pound of onion rings and two pieces of pie. The omelette was surprisingly just a rubbery layer of egg folded over some warmed-up frozen stir-fry vegetable mix, which was odd and not at all tasty. I’m not kidding; there were carrots, snowpeas and water chestnuts!

The pies were simple and a little on the sweet side, but they did give hefty sized slices. We got strawberry rhubarb and coconut cream. They weren’t exactly memorable, but better than most store-bought pastries. The sweet potato pancakes had a sour stinging aftertaste, but otherwise were very filling. The hot chocolate was excellent: rich, creamy and covered with whipped cream and they gave free refills. I guess the highlight of visiting Heidi’s Pies was definitely the service, but this place just didn’t match our palates.

Heidi’s Pies [DINER][$]
(650) 574.0505 1941 S El Camino Real San Mateo, CA

HOURS:
Open 24 hours a day.

About the Author:

Kris Kobayashi-Nelson has zero cavities and has had dentists place bets against her. She is a pie and onion ring addict. She prefers pared-down diners, late-night/early-morning eats and hole-in-the-walls with heaping plates to “two-bite” five-stars.