By Amy Van Veen (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: November 7, 2012
Those who live in the Chilliwack and Abbotsford area have probably either heard of or been to the Chilliwack Airport Coffee Shop. If people reading this suddenly get blank stares across their face, it may be helpful to write their tagline, “I fly for pie.”
Do people actually fly for pie? Well . . . yes. The coffee shop is located in the corner of the main airport building and it overlooks the runway where private planes fly in and out for pie. I’m sure they planes fly in and out for other reasons, but if you had a plane, how much would you want to be able to say you flew somewhere for a slice of pie?
It should be noted that people don’t fly in there just for the rhyme – this coffee shop has some of the best pie I have ever had.
With a green and white checkered floor, green tables and endless coffee, this cute little diner is a step back in time with waitresses who know the menu, community and regulars like the back of their hands. Coffee comes with a smile and good conversation and the menu overwhelms.
There are about a dozen different kinds of all-day breakfasts, half a dozen different salads, and 21 different burgers and sandwiches on top of their lunch menu with options such as chicken fingers, stuffed baked potato and donairs. For about $10, I got a larger portion of eggs, hashbrowns and toast with pie for dessert. Dessert for breakfast? Who wouldn’t if they were given the opportunity?
The pie, though, is definitely worth a visit – either by car or by plane. The menu said to check the menu board for the day’s pie selection and I checked it expecting maybe four different kinds – what I found astounded me. About 10 different kinds of pie, from fruit to pumpkin to coconut cream, plus a collection of cheesecakes sat there tempting me. I couldn’t decide! What was I in the mood for? Classic apple or perhaps German apple? Coconut cream? Autumnal pumpkin? Or a seasonal fruit? I went with raspberry blueberry on a whim and was not disappointed in the least.
Many fruit pies have a problem of being too sweet or too runny, especially if the fruit is especially juicy, but the pie-makers at the Chilliwack Airport Coffee Shop are wizards. I asked for a small amount of whipped cream and was greeted with a pie to whipped cream ratio of one to one. A pie size amount of whipped cream sat atop the sweet, delicious crust and perfect berry filling. I scooped some into my coffee and enjoyed the rest, practically licking the plate clean.
Even though the average age of a customer was about 72, this place was booming with people waiting for a table the entire time I was there. Customer turnover is quick and with $3.99 pies chock-full of deliciousness, it’s no wonder people soar in for a bite.
