Pies 'n' Thighs and All Things Nice
Fried chicken, warm biscuits and a slice of pie: Brooklyn's favorite Southern-style brunch, explained.
Few New York restaurants have a name that tells you so exactly what you'll eat. Pies 'n' Thighs is a Williamsburg, Brooklyn favorite for Southern-style comfort food. Think crisp fried chicken, tall biscuits, donuts and a rotating case of pies. It has been a neighborhood fixture since the mid-2000s, and at brunch the line is part of the experience.
What to order
- The fried chicken. Crunchy, well-seasoned and juicy, with thighs as the namesake for good reason. Get the box with a biscuit and a side.
- Chicken biscuit. Fried chicken on a flaky biscuit, often with hot sauce and honey butter. It's the brunch move.
- Donuts. Yeasted, glazed and filled varieties that sell out.
- Pie. The other half of the name: seasonal fruit pies, cream pies and Southern classics. Take a slice to go even if you're full.
- Sides. Mac and cheese, collard greens, grits and the like. Choose comfort over restraint.
Brunch tips
- Go early or late. Weekend brunch peaks late morning, so arrive near opening or mid-afternoon.
- Bring a friend so you can split a chicken plate and a sweet.
- Check the hours and menu before you go. They change, and some items are only made in limited batches.
Make a day of it
Williamsburg is easy to walk. After brunch, head to the waterfront for Manhattan skyline views or browse the shops along Bedford Avenue. Coffee nerds can keep going with our guides to Mountain Province and Porto Rico Importing Co.
