Foodie Friday- Elsie Mae’s Bakery and Cannery In Kenosha Wisconsin

What’s a world without pie?

Where can you go in Wisconsin to get the best pie? I found the answer. (at least in my opinion)  Elsie Mae’s Bakery and Cannery in Kenosha. I was recently lucky enough to get to visit this place and meet the owner Kelly, when I was in Kenosha, Wisconsin on my 7 Wisconsin road trips in 7 days tour. I found out about Elsie Mae’s pies when one of her cookie dough pies was included in a goodie bag when I took the Kenosha tour during the Women In Travel Summit in Milwaukee in April.  That pie was so good, I could not wait to return to Kenosha for more.

The moment I stepped into this place I knew I was in for a treat.  The smells that hit me made my mouth instantly water! Just the atmosphere made me happy with the huge board on the back wall with the daily schedule, wonderful colors, and mini pies everywhere! I found out Elsie Mae’s is more than just pies.  They make jam’s and jellies, pot pies, and drink mixes.  There was a flurry of activity going on the Tuesday I was there.  There were two young ladies busy making pies, another was busy cutting fresh strawberries, and there were cherries cooking in back.  The ingredients are locally sourced and fresh.  No wonder the pies are so tasty and Elsie Mae’s Yelp and Trip Advisor ratings are a full 5 stars!

Getting her start in Grandma’s kitchen

Kelly named her business after her Grandmother.  She would spend time with her Grandmother when she was young making pies and canning.  She continues that tradition with those same recipes. In many ways walking into this store is just like walking into Grandma’s kitchen on the large scale.  The kitchen is visible and you can watch all the prep work that goes on. It’s an impressive sight.

So many flavors to choose from

Thanks to Kelly, I brought home 4 mini pies of my choice to try. Deciding which ones to choose was not an easy task, there are so many flavors to choose from. I’m not a fruit person, but get me around anything chocolate and immediately it’s like nothing else in the world exists, so I chose a Smores, Chocolate Bourbon, and for the family a Mixed Berry, and a Cherry for my Dad since it had just been Father’s Day. As soon as I got home, the 3 of us divided the 2 chocolate pies into thirds. We each agreed that they were delicious, the crust incredible, and the Chocolate Bourbon had a a great mix of flavor between the chocolate and the bourbon.  The Smores was delicious with the toasted marshmallow top.  There was silence among us except for the mmmm’s as we took a new bite.  As I finished the last of my pie, my phone rang and Dad was just eating his Cherry pie, which I had dropped off on my way home. He thought his was so good and was looking to trade a half of the cherry for half of one of the other pies! Of course, we had just eaten both chocolate pies, so we agreed to save half the mixed berry for him. It was agreed that both the cherry and mixed berry were equally yummy too.  Just writing this makes me want to take a drive to Kenosha for more!

And if you have a craving for more sweet treats…

I have yet to try the pot pies, which I hear are delicious, and the jams and jellies.  This will be for my next visit for sure.  Also, Kelly just opened  Myrtle Mae’s Sugar Emporium next door earlier this year.  Featuring homemade candies, ice cream, a build your own cookie dough bar, and other sweet treats, this is sure to be a hit with all ages! Located in the front of the Orpheum Theater, which is currently under renovation, Myrtle Mae’s will serve as the concession stand of the theater once it is reopened.

I’d say Kelly has created her own version of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory right in Kenosha! Next time you are in Kenosha, satisfy your sweet tooth with a stop at Elsie Mae’s Bakery and Cannery.

Lori

Elsie Mae’s hours are:

• Wednesday-Saturday 9 am to 8 pm
• Sunday 11 am to 5 pm
• Closed Monday and Tuesday

Myrtle Mae’s hours are:

• Monday-Thursday 11 am to 8 pm
• Friday and Saturday 10 am to 9 pm
• Sunday 11 am to 6 pm

I received my pies for free, but as always I will give you my honest opinion of everyplace I visit.  I only write about places I truly want to visit and share with my readers.