CARTER & RYE

Hoppen Hierarchy:★★★⭑

District: Midtown

Sweet & Savory Hand Pies

Perfect For: Breakfast/Brunch; Lunch; Casual Dining; Takeout

Standout Dishes: Brown Sugar Cinnamon Hand Pie; Spinach & Artichoke Hash Brown Hand Pie; Philly Cheesesteak Hand Pie

Pie is one of America’s favorite indulgences, and it’s perfectly good as is. But after a trip to Carter & Rye, you’ll begin wondering if the classic interpretation isn’t reaching pie’s true ceiling. For instance:

What if pie were portable, able to be eaten on the go?
What if pie featured more of the delicious, flaky crust?
Why do we typically limit pies to sweet fillings?
What if the brilliant concept of Pop-Tarts was amped up to 11 with fresh ingredients and skilled baking?

Bottom line, Carter & Rye changes the calculus on what pie can be.

The hand pie, a baked pastry stuffed with either sweet or savory filling, is a new concept to many diners. But while the experience of eating these pies may feel new, each bite delivers a warm embrace of nostalgia. It might be grandma’s apple pie or mom’s beef stroganoff. Somehow, these rectangular confections evoke warm memories, even for those experiencing them for the first time.

Carter & Rye, co-founded in 2019 by best friends Kate Carter and Sarah Ryan, began selling its hand pies (which draw their name from their ability to fit in the palm of one’s hand) began selling at Omaha’s farmers markets.

The reception was so strong it was clear the pair had something remarkable on their hands, and in 2021 they moved into a brick-and-mortar location near 42nd and Center, which is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 AM until they’re sold out (which sometimes doesn’t take long). The pies can still be found at the Ralston Farmers Market on Sundays, too. The flavors change every week, constantly giving hungry guests a chance to try something new.

Whether you take the sweet or savory route, you’ll be met with the same buttery, flaky crust. Imagine a delicious puff pastry, but made by hand from scratch with fresh ingredients. The crust is firm and crisp, yet at the same time dissolves in your mouth.

Carter & Rye’s sweet hand pies are most familiar to new diners, as they’re an upgraded version of Pop-Tarts and Toaster Strudels. The insides are warm and gooey, oozing out from the crust upon first bite. The edge of the pies caramelize while baking, adding sweetness and texture, while a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar adorns the masterpiece. Carter & Rye’s talent at using fruits and jams in the pies is incredible. The rich butter in the crust complements the fresh, sticky fruits in a way that Pop-Tarts could only dream of replicating.

Among my sweet favorites:

Brown Sugar Cinnamon (featured in the header photo): gooey, sweet, and with just a touch of spice, this is what you’d get if a cinnamon roll (sans frosting) had a baby with a pie crust.
Apple: this classic gets an update with large chunks of green apple, which adds just a touch of sour to complement the sweet jam.
Mixed Berry N Apricot: sweet, tangy, and just a bit tart, this pie oozes out its delicious guts when you bite into it. The berries themselves taste so fresh they could’ve been picked yesterday.

But the savory options are where Carter & Rye truly shines. The shop excels at finding creative ways to transform just about any dish into a handheld delight. I haven’t had a disappointing version yet, but these are some of the best:

Spinach N Artichoke Hash Brown Casserole: it’s your favorite dip mixed into crispy potatoes, all encased in a buttery cocoon. Creamy, salty, and crispy with a touch of freshness, it’s tough to top this hand pie.
Brussels Sprout Scramble: Buttery scrambled eggs and hand pies are a match made in Heaven. Add in some delicate brussels sprouts and some cheese and you have one heck of a dish.
BBQ Burnt Ends: Luscious, fatty burnt end chunks mix with sweet BBQ sauce and a tangy slaw for a beautiful balance.
Philly Cheesesteak: With tender steak, sauteed peppers, and sweet onions, I’d take this version of a cheesesteak over most of the traditional options in Omaha.
Southwest Chicken: It’s basically a chicken enchilada encased in flaky puff pastry. If that doesn’t sound delicious, I don’t know what to tell you. We see the world differently.
Ham & Cheese: Warm ham and gooey cheddar cheese make this upgraded version of the classic sandwich one that will transport you right back to childhood.

The flavors change to mimic the seasons and which ingredients are at their peak freshness. That means you’ll see delicacies like the Roasted Butternut Squash Hand Pie in the fall, and Strawberry Rhubarb or Peach in the summer.

While Carter & Rye’s creations are best enjoyed fresh, they can be purchased frozen and reheat incredibly well in the oven. Fans of the shop (hand raised) often buy 6 or more at the end of the week and store them in the freezer to use for breakfast or lunch in the coming days.

Hand pies are still a relatively new concept to Omaha, but Carter & Rye proves they need to be a part of one’s weekly (if not daily) diet. With a brilliant flaky crust and sweet and savory options, these hand pies are an excellent option for breakfast, lunch, or dessert.