This pie ranks as the best in SC — but don’t expect it to be sweet. Why fans love it
A South Carolina cafe serves the best pies in the state — but don’t expect them to taste sweet, new rankings show.
That’s because the top-ranking pie is a tomato pie, a savory side that people can’t get enough of, according to the restaurant review website Yelp.
The winning pies are served hot at Stono Market & Tomato Shed Café on Johns Island, in the Charleston area. On Yelp, several customers raved about the dish, which they said was rich and complemented other Southern classics on the menu.
For some, it was their first time tasting tomato pie, and their reactions helped the cafe earn more than four out of five stars.
So what is tomato pie?
“Our tomato pie is a savory pie,” Stono Market & Tomato Shed Café told McClatchy News in a March 10 email. “It’s a casserole style pie with a thin biscuit crust, layers of tomato and onion, seasoned with salt, pepper and basil, topped with a mixture of cheddar cheese and mayo.”
While the origin of the dish is full of speculation, it has become a tasty way to get rid of extra tomatoes. If you want to make some yourself, South Carolina tourism officials recommend starting with your favorite pie crust, then building on it with onions, cheese and seasonings. Of course, their version calls for two Palmetto State ingredients: Duke’s mayonnaise and local tomatoes.
“No matter which recipe you use, you’ll want to thinly slice your tomatoes, arrange between layers of paper towels, sprinkle with a little salt and leave them alone for a few minutes,” the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism wrote on its website. “This will help leach out excess fluid and prevent a watery, soggy pie.”
Stono Market & Tomato Shed Café’s version earned statewide recognition after Yelp said it studied pie-related businesses and concentrated on the “most unique flavors found on each menu.” It “ranked those spots using a number of factors, including the total volume and ratings of reviews mentioning ‘pie’” over time, according to results published March 1.
“The Tomato Shed Café offers chef-inspired menus featuring locally grown foods and ingredients from around the Carolinas,” the restaurant wrote on its website. “Here at the Tomato Shed Café, we keep it simple. No fancy plates or glasses. No gimmicks. Just great food that speaks directly to your palate.”
Though the business’ savory tomato creation was named the best in the state, customers also can get their fix of dessert pies. Those include apple, pecan and chocolate chess pie, according to an online menu.
Stono Market & Tomato Shed Café, located at 842 Main Road, isn’t the first place on Johns Island to earn statewide recognition. In May, nearby Low Tide Brewing ranked as the No. 1 brewery in South Carolina, McClatchy News reported.
