Bites Nearby: Piepers Pies

There’s something about autumn and comfort food. The two just go together. Everyone has a favorite, but in Michigan one of the fall staples that most people would agree upon is the pasty.

Pasty shops are rather scarce in the southern part of the state, though. They can be found, but they tend to be smaller, and off the beaten path – with one exception:

Tucked into the Northridge shopping center on the east side of Haggerty Road, just south of 8 Mile Road – mere feet from Trader Joe’s – is this quaint yet polished purveyor of crispy, hand-held pastries.

Overview: The pasty is similar to a calzone in shape, though about half to a third the size. Most are filled with meat (ground beef, steak, chicken or pork), potatoes, and a variety of vegetables. But Piepers has redefined the traditional dinner pasty, instead offering them in the forms more conducive to breakfast and lunch.

Menu: Pasties, soups, salads and a few sweet desserts. They keep it that simple. They offer three breakfast pasties (the bacon, egg and cheese; turkey, sausage and cheese; and the vegetarian omelet) and numerous lunch ones (such as the Philly cheese steak, BBQ pulled pork, or the traditional beef). They serve chili and two soups daily, one of which is always their (vegan) garden vegetable, and four lunch salads. Sweets include the Pieper’s Sweet Pie (with cinnamon, brown sugar and walnuts), a fresh-baked brownie and an oatmeal-raisin cookie.

Beverages: Piepers serves Pepsi brand fountain drinks (small, $1.59; Large, $1.79), Coke and Diet Coke 12-ounce cans ($.99), bottled water ($1.59) and organic milk (white and chocolate, $2.49). They also serve Mystic Monks Organic Coffee, in four flavors (regular, $1.49; tall, $1.79; and super, $2.09).

Prices: Highly wallet-friendly. All pasties are just $3.39, though combination plates can be made (a pasty with a bowl of soup or salad, or a soup and salad). Salads are all around $5, but with grilled chicken bumps up to about $7. Soups come in three sizes: Cup ($3.19), Bowl ($4.59) or quart ($9.99). Chili also comes in a cup ($4.39), a bowl ($5.89) and a quart ($14.99). Sweets are all around $2.

Hours: Monday – Saturday, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Address: 20540 Haggerty Road

Contact: (734) 402-2214, www.pieperspies.com.