Bang Bang Pie Shop: A slice of heaven in Logan Square

Go for the pies and stay for the biscuits at Bang Bang Pie Shop, located at 2051 N. California Ave.

Welcome to Bang Bang Pie Shop!

Husband-wife team Dave and Megan Miller created a business that reflects recipes passed down from Megan’s family, which are sweet and homey. As you enter Bang Bang you’ll notice the staff rolling dough in the open kitchen, parents pushing baby strollers into the shop, and couples having conversations over a slice of pie.

Everything inside Bang Bang Pie Shop is made from scratch – from the biscuits and pies that come piping hot from the oven to the fresh roasted coffee brewed daily. (Tip: If you’re a coffee addict like me, buy a 12-ounce bag of Bang Bang Magic Beans!). Though Bang Bang may not have a large menu, it’s the details that make the dining experience so special.

Bang Bang Pie Shop Menu…short, yet affordable!

Stop by the coffee station for Bang Bang Magic Beans!

Order a biscuit and head to the topping bar. You’ll find a variety of homemade butters and jams to accent your biscuit. (Tip: Try the biscuit with black pepper honey butter and blueberry lavender jam. Or, add chive butter to the ham biscuit. Trust me, these combos work!). Bang Bang also serves biscuits and gravy, but only on weekends.

Biscuit with black pepper honey butter and blueberry lavender jam

Biscuit Topping Bar

Sweet & Savory: Get a side of candied bacon to go with your biscuit!

Of course Bang Bang’s specialty is the pie! And there are different pies to satisfy all sugar cravings – cream pies, custard pies, fruit pies, and chocolate pies. During a recent trip, my party tried the honey pie and chocolate peanut butter banana pie and they were TO-DIE-FOR…just look at the photos below! We wanted to sample the blueberry pie as well, but it sold out. (Tip: Arrive at the shop early or pre-order a whole pie to ensure you get your favorite flavor!).

Bang Bang Pies: Honey Pie (left), Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Pie (right)

Aside from the nosh, Bang Bang serves up a theater experience. Check out Speakeasy, a Prohibition themed murder-mystery where you could be the prime suspect. It’s BYOB and all players receive a slice of pie. Click here, to reserve your spot for Speakeasy at Bang Bang Pie Shop on Saturday, July 7, 2012.

“Speakeasy” (live theater with a slice of pie)

Bang Bang is open Tuesday through Friday 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Dig into Bang Bang Pie Shop today (except on Mondays when it’s closed)!

Other tips about the area:

• You don’t have to travel far to reach 90 Miles Cuban Café (2540 W. Armitage Ave.). Enjoy a traditional Cuban meal with a side of white rice, black beans, and plantains. (Tip: Look out for the daily specials, especially the picadillo. It’s a must-try dish!). The restaurant is also BYOB! If you bring rum or wine, the staff will mix you mojitos or sangria!!!
• Be a locavore and drink a beer at Revolution Brewing (2323 N. Milwaukee Ave.), one of Chicago’s craft breweries. Pair the Anti-Hero IPA with a hand-tossed pizza. (Tip: Ladies, it’s a great place to impress a guy on a first or second date!).

Mojo Spa: Be a natural beauty in Wicker Park

Get pampered from head-to-toe at Mojo Spa, located at 1468 N. Milwaukee Ave. Last Tuesday, I happened to walk in for a much needed pedicure. (Tip: Call the shop to see if they have any spa specials. Mojo offered a FREE mani with pedi the day I went!). I’ve been to Mojo twice before and I simply love its business model – spa, boutique, and bakery all rolled into one!

Step inside Mojo Spa!

Owner and innovator Amanda Kezios was a personal chef before opening Mojo Spa. She relayed her love of cooking with fresh, natural ingredients to creating handmade beauty products. Though Amanda is running a successful beauty business, she hasn’t parted from her culinary background. You’ll notice most of the products sold at the store are made to look like baked goods or sound like a food recipe. For instance, my fabulous manicurist Anna used Mojo’s Sinful Strawberry Face & Body Scrub (pretty sure I spotted some seeds in it) to exfoliate my worn feet.

Mojo Spa Beauty Products

Mojo’s spa menu may not be as extensive as your typical nail salon (e.g., acrylics, waxing, etc.), but it does have impressive spa packages. (Tip: Have a morning of Beauty and Brunch! Schedule a Silver, Gold, or Platinum Package on a Sunday to receive a complimentary brunch. It’s a fantastic gift for bachelorettes and birthday girls!). Some packages come with special hand and foot masks, as well as soy candle massage. Regardless, you will always receive a sweet treat with service, like these…

Mojo Desserts: Lemon Sugar Cookies (left), Layered Raspberry Cheesecake (right)

If your hands and feet are already perfectly polished, go window shopping! Amanda makes awesome accessories in addition to amazing beauty products. She crafts jewelry, knitwear, and handbags in her spare time. Is there anything this woman can’t do? My favorite Mojo accessory is the clutch with agate stone. It’s a beautiful handcrafted bag with smart compartments – take a peek at the photo below. (Tip: If you can’t find what you’re looking for at the store, visit the Mojo Spa Style page on Etsy!).

Mojo Spa Style Clutch with Agate Stone

Schedule an appointment at Mojo Spa today! There’s nothing artificial about it!

Mojo is open on select Mondays, Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Tip: Attend Pajama Nights on the first Friday of select months for makeovers, facials, and desserts!).

Other tips about the area:

• Need to perk up after a relaxing day at the spa? Then walk next door to Wormhole Coffee. Get a side of 80s nostalgia with your Vanilla Bean Latte or Peanut Butter Koopa Troopa. You can’t miss the DeLorean à la “Back to the Future” inside Wormhole!
• Have a “High Fidelity” moment just around the corner at Double Door (1572 N. Milwaukee Ave.). Double Door is a music venue and Chicago institution. Just look at the pictures of legendary performers plastered along its walls! It’s the rockin’ party you always wanted to throw in your parents’ basement – listen to live music, order a drink special from the massive bar, have fun in the photo booth, or hold an impromptu ping pong tournament.