You see the line curling around the corner and think, no pie could be worth that wait.
Then the door opens, the buttery perfume hits, and your resolve crumbles faster than a flaky crust.
At Flying Saucer Pie Company in Houston, the first bite is the whole story told in caramel, cream, and fruit.
Keep reading, because the pie everyone whispers about is even better than the rumor.
First Bite, Long Line: Why Houston Waits Here
You spot the line along W Crosstimbers and wonder if pie can really do this. Then someone steps out hugging a box like treasure, and your curiosity turns into a craving with a Houston accent. The door swings open, butter and sugar drift out, and suddenly the wait feels like part of the ritual.
Flying Saucer Pie Company has been doing old school right for decades, and the reviews do not exaggerate. From strawberry and apple to silky chocolate cream, the pies look homespun with a sheen that says fresh, not fussy. You notice prices that still feel human, the kind that let you bring an extra slice home just because.
Inside, the energy is friendly and focused, like a family kitchen at Thanksgiving. Staff move with a rhythm that says they have been here a while, and you feel taken care of fast. If you need hours, plan Tuesday through Saturday 7 AM to 7 PM, with a shorter Wednesday to 5 PM, and closed Sunday and Monday.
The first bite answers the line with a crisp snap of crust and a buttery crumble. Fruit tastes like fruit, cream tastes like cream, and the sweetness respects the ingredients. By the second bite, you are deciding which pie to stash for breakfast and which to share.
It helps that the place is easy to find just north of the Heights, and parking is doable if you time it right. Holiday weeks bring epic lines, but regular days move quickly. You are never annoyed when the box lands in your hands.
Call +1 713-694-1141 if you want to confirm availability, or peek at flyingsaucerpieshop.com for seasonal updates. This is a stalwart for a reason, and the line is a local love letter. You will read it with your fork, one satisfying slice at a time.
Strawberry Cream: The Cult Favorite
Strawberry cream is the celebrity here, and it does not need an entourage. The berries sit tall and bright, shiny with a light glaze that whispers summer, not syrup. Underneath, a not-too-sweet cream cushions every fruit slice like a cloud.
You cut in and the crust crackles, then the knife finds that cool cream and juicy berry. Nothing slumps, nothing slides, and the slice stands proud on your plate. That balance is why locals order two, because running out would be a tragedy you can prevent.
The flavor keeps things honest. You taste fresh strawberry first, then the soft vanilla of the cream, with a buttery echo from the crust. Sweetness is present but polite, letting the fruit make the introduction and the goodbye.
If you are planning a pickup, aim for earlier hours on busy weekends, between 7 AM and mid morning. Holiday windows can sell out, and this pie is usually the first to vanish. Call ahead to check, but be ready to move fast when availability is confirmed.
Storage matters. This pie chills nicely, keeping its shape and sheen, but it shines brightest the day you bring it home. Slice with a sharp, thin knife, and do not press down too hard, letting the crust do its flaky thing.
Pairing ideas are simple: black coffee, iced tea, or a cold glass of milk. You can dress it up with a dollop of whipped cream, though it hardly needs backup. One bite in, and you understand why Houston will always save room for this queen of the case.
Chocolate Cream That Feels Like a Hug
Chocolate cream at Flying Saucer Pie Company is comfort in a crust. The custard sits dense yet silky, somewhere between pudding and truffle. A light sheen on top hints at cocoa richness that does not quit.
You get that first spoon glide, and it feels like a promise kept. There is depth from real chocolate, not just sugar, and a finish that lingers like a good conversation. The crust adds a buttery crunch that keeps every bite honest.
Texture wins here. Fork meets minimal resistance, then the filling relaxes into a creamy sigh. Whipped cream on top is a gentle flourish, not a distraction, letting the chocolate speak for itself.
This pie is a weeknight hero and a holiday peace treaty. It travels well in the signature box, riding shotgun without complaint. If you are bringing it to a gathering, chill it, then let it sit a few minutes before serving.
Timing still matters with hours running Tuesday through Saturday until 7 PM, and Wednesday closing early at 5 PM. Closed Sunday and Monday means cravings must adjust. Call +1 713-694-1141 if you want to confirm the day’s selection.
Pair it with strong coffee, hot or iced, or a small pour of milk for nostalgia. If you are fancy, add a pinch of flaky salt just before the first bite. Either way, you will end up staring at an empty plate, wondering how something so simple can be so perfect.
Apple Pie, Crust First
If crust is your love language, the apple pie at Flying Saucer Pie Company is fluent. The golden top is sturdy yet tender, with edges that flake into buttery shards. You tap the lattice and it answers back with a promise of crunch.
The filling is honest apple, not pie syrup. Slices keep structure, soft but not mushy, with cinnamon warmth that feels like fall any day in Houston. There is enough juice to gloss each bite without drowning the crust.
One trick: let it rest after you bring it home, then warm slightly to wake the spice. A scoop of vanilla is nice, but not required. The crust carries the experience like a seasoned lead, and the fruit follows in step.
When the shop is humming, you can watch trays disappear from the case within minutes. Early birds from 7 AM score the widest selection. By afternoon, favorites may thin out, so plan your run accordingly.
The price point makes sharing easier, and you will want to. This is the pie you hand to a neighbor or bring to a new parent. It slices cleanly, stays neat on plates, and smells like a hug.
Storage is forgiving. Keep it covered at room temp for a day, then refrigerate if you must stretch it longer. You probably will not need to, because the last slice tends to evaporate with morning coffee.
Pecan Pie With Texas Swagger
There is a reason pecan pie is a Texas calling card, and Flying Saucer’s version puts a stamp on it. The top is a mosaic of toasted pecans, shiny and proud. Underneath waits a custard that leans caramel more than corn syrup, with a buttery depth that stays with you.
The crust brings structure without stealing the show. It breaks with a civilized crunch, then melts into the luxurious filling. Sweetness is measured, so you taste nut, not just sugar.
Every bite swings between crunchy and gooey, the kind of contrast that keeps forks moving. You catch a whisper of vanilla and a caramel note that sticks like a friendly handshake. It is rich, yes, but not cloying, so a second slice is suddenly reasonable.
This pie is a crowd pleaser for office tables and family dinners. It travels like a champ and holds shape in Houston heat if you are quick. Serve it at room temp or slightly warm to wake the aroma.
Hours make pickup straightforward Tuesday through Saturday until 7 PM, and Wednesday’s early close at 5 PM. Sunday and Monday are quiet, so plan ahead for game day or holidays. Call the shop to confirm inventory if you are crossing town.
Pairings are easy: black coffee, unsweet tea, or a short pour of bourbon if the evening calls. A touch of whipped cream is welcome, but unnecessary. One slice in, and you will understand why locals call this their dependable dessert with unmistakable Texas swagger.
Key Lime Brightness In A Box
Key lime at Flying Saucer Pie Company shows up crisp and confident. The filling is smooth, with a pale green hue that suggests lime without shouting. One forkful delivers a tart snap that resets your day.
Sweet meets citrus in a handshake, not a wrestling match. The texture stays satiny, holding a clean slice with no slump. It is refreshing in Houston’s heat, a cool breeze boxed in pastry.
Crust here plays quiet support, buttery and firm enough to carry the tang. Each bite lifts, cleans, and finishes bright, like a squeeze of fresh lime over a favorite dish. You will find yourself plotting another visit before the plate is empty.
Pro tip: chill before serving and use a warm, thin knife for picture perfect slices. This pie loves simple partners like sparkling water or iced tea. If you want contrast, add a tiny dollop of lightly sweet whipped cream.
Remember the hours: Tuesday to Saturday until 7 PM, Wednesday to 5 PM, closed Sunday and Monday. Lines spike near holidays, so show up early if key lime is non negotiable. A quick call helps avoid heartbreak when the case starts to thin.
This is the kind of pie that turns skeptics into believers. It feels handcrafted, with a flavor that hits clean and leaves you smiling. Consider it your edible vacation, no plane ticket required.
How To Beat The Line And Get Your Pie
There is an art to conquering the Flying Saucer line without losing your cool. Step one is timing: arrive near opening at 7 AM Tuesday through Saturday, or aim for mid afternoon dips. Wednesdays close early at 5 PM, so watch the clock.
Holiday weeks shift everything into overdrive, and favorites can sell out fast. Call +1 713-694-1141 before you drive across town, especially for strawberry cream. The website flyingsaucerpieshop.com posts updates, but the phone is fastest.
Parking around 436 W Crosstimbers is manageable if you are patient, and the line moves with impressive rhythm. Staff work quickly and kindly, boxing pies with practiced hands. Bring a cooler bag if you have a long ride, Houston heat is not shy.
Know your order before you hit the counter. This place respects momentum, and you will feel like part of the team when you keep it moving. Cash or card is easy, and prices feel like a small miracle these days.
If you need multiple pies, consider splitting pickups with a friend. One person holds the spot while the other grabs drinks, then you trade off. That small teamwork turns a wait into a hangout.
Once the box is in your hands, guard it like it contains happiness, because it does. Set it flat in your car and resist peeking until you are home. The first bite will explain the line better than any advice ever could.
What Locals Order Again And Again
Ask three Houston neighbors about Flying Saucer, and you will get a pie ranking plus a childhood story. The usual repeat orders read like a season of cravings: strawberry cream for celebrations, chocolate cream for comfort, apple when you need crust therapy. Pecan and key lime are tie breakers that often end in buying both.
Regulars talk about texture like sports stats. Crust gets high marks for flaky integrity, while fillings win for honest flavor and restrained sweetness. You taste butter, fruit, cocoa, and citrus without the syrupy fog.
The community piece matters. Folks bring these pies to potlucks, offices, and church halls, because the box earns smiles before it opens. Price helps too, with a value that makes generosity easy.
Peak times are predictable: pre weekend afternoons and holiday eves. Show up early or pick a quieter Tuesday morning window. The staff keeps things moving, and you can feel the family run backbone in every exchange.
Favorites shift with the weather. Hot months pull key lime and strawberry cream to the front, while fall crowds rally behind apple and pecan. Chocolate cream floats above seasons, always ready to hug a rough day.
When in doubt, follow the locals and order an extra. A late night slice or next day breakfast pie is a Houston tradition worth adopting. One taste and you will understand why the regulars sound like happy broken records.