Local Review: Williamsford Pie Company Delivers the Country Bakery Vibe
Craving a legendary pie, or perhaps frozen meals to have at home? Our local reviewer, Angela Kemble, stops by Williamsford Pie Company to see what's on offer in the historic country bakery.
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION
The Williamsford Pie Company sees itself as a country bakery and, indeed, it has the ambiance of a country general store in some ways. A steady stream of locals and visitors line up at the counter for their daily coffee, scones, muffins or brownies, or a lunch sandwich to go.
After a devastating fire in 2022 threatened to end the enterprise in its historic 1904 building in the centre of town, the owners embarked on months of renovations and reopened to an enthusiastic response from the community.
Staff in the open kitchen are in constant motion, preparing the day’s selections of pastries and pies, as well as sandwiches, soup, pizza, and frozen meals such as shepherd’s pie or tourtière.
Their dessert pies are legendary, with at least 10 offered daily, many of them dairy-free and vegan.
The range of other baked goods offered is staggering too: breads, croissants, every kind of sweet baked treat, plus a few savouries, like enormous and thoroughly delicious sausage rolls. Special days are honoured appropriately, with heart-shaped cakes for Valentine’s Day, hot cross buns at Easter and pumpkin spice cupcakes for the fall.
Since the renovation, eat-in lunches are still offered, but with only three tables, seating is limited. The live-edge tables look inviting enough, but table service is not a strength here. Diners can choose from the substantial sandwich menu or the array of pastries available for take-out, and service is friendly enough but perfunctory.
On a recent visit, the sandwiches were freshly made, but they were grilled for a bit too long. The sides of potato chips or coleslaw were forgettable.
Better to order at the counter or call ahead for your picnic lunch or pick up a frozen lasagna or meat pie for home.
While you wait for your order, you’ll see plenty of products from local producers and artisans, such as Big Mama’s spicy sauces, Cottage Country North preserves and Chatsworth Honey. Beverages include locally roasted, organic, fair-trade coffee and cold drinks made with Meredith’s Ginger Syrup, among many others. Meat items on the menu feature beef and pork from West Grey Premium Beef.
Williamsford Pie Company is located at 316079 Hwy 6, in Williamsford. It is unlicensed and is not wheelchair accessible. It’s open every day from May to October, from 7 am to 8 pm, and from October to May, from 8 am to 6 pm, except on certain holidays.
Call ahead for take-out, special orders or catering: 519-794-2034.
Thank you to sponsors of The Owen Sound Current Writers’ Fund, who make these community contributions possible. Contributions from the community do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of The Owen Sound Current and its editor or publisher.
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