Photos by Julianne Capati

Pie Bird Bakery & Café, a new downtown contender for baked goods, breakfast, and lunch, quietly opened shop on the ground floor of the Transamerica Building at 177 N. Church Ave.

Co-owned by baker William Moyer and Maren Bell, Pie Bird recently acquired former Metzger Family Restaurant chef Virginia Wooters as a third partner and head chef.

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A “down home comfort food with a modern twist” concept, Pie Bird’s modern-country style echoes throughout the restaurant, from menu to the classic-kitchen décor. And Moyer and Bell are the first people guests interact with when visiting, as the two manage front of house while an open kitchen displays the cooking of head-chef Wooters.

“We try to learn everybody’s name and what their drink and food choices are,” says Bell.

Keeping things simple, the Pie Bird breakfast menu includes standard power breakfast items such as oatmeal, bagels, and a breakfast burrito of scrambled eggs, cheddar and jack cheese blend with ham or bacon. Two standout items are the acaï bowl-inspired Pitaya Bowl, which includes frozen dragon fruit topped with coconut flakes, house-made granola, seasonal fruit and bee pollen and Quiche, highly recommended by Bell, Moyer, and Wooters, which is served for both breakfast and lunch.

Pie Bird features a half a dozen sandwiches including Ham & Brie, BLTA, and a Veggie, along with an equal number of salads with standbys such as a Greek, Caesar, and Cobb.

Pie Bird sources many ingredients from local Arizona businesses, such as their coffee beans, which come from Café Aquí.

“Their coffee is really smooth and it blends well with milk,” said Moyer on why he chose Cafe Aqui. “That’s why it doesn’t leave a nasty after taste like some coffees do.”

Baked goods at Pie Bird are one of their specialties and include a range of items such as pie, scones, muffins, gluten-free cookies, and variety of rotating desserts and breakfast snacks. One standout item are Pie Bird’s version of oatmeal cream pies, aptly named, Lil Deb’s.

With killer coffee, delicious baked goods, and creative and affordable daily specials, Moyer and Bell hope guests will make Pie Bird a regular stop in their morning routine.

Pie Bird is open 7am-4pm, Monday through Friday and features indoor seating along with pet-friendly patio. For more information, visit piebirdbakeryandcafe.com.