Why I Had to Order Pie

I read it in Wikipedia, so it must be true: Sugar Cream Pie is Indiana’s official state pie.

That’s the second best reason to vote for The Falls Restaurant’s Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie in the online contest to name Indiana’s Best Pie.

The top reason to vote for this pie is that you can enjoy it while gazing at the greatest view in Indiana– the city of Madison and theOhio River as seen from the top of the bluff at Clifty Inn.

I’ve been a Hoosier all my life, but I’ve never eaten Sugar Cream Pie, also known simply as Hoosier Pie. It is a single-crust custard pie with a filling made from flour, butter, salt, vanilla, cream and brown sugar. The Falls Restaurant’s version has a nice carmelized glaze on the top that makes it look especially yummy.

Here’s how the menu describes it: “A cream pie with a hint of cinnamon and whipped cream on the side.”

Of course I couldn’t write about it without trying it myself! I picked a day when the fall foliage at Clifty Falls State Park was just beginning to appear. The server settled me at a table facing the river, as I had hoped.

Can you imagine pumpkin pie without the pumpkin? That’s what I thought about as I sampled this pie, which was really quite tasty.

Frankly, while the cream pie filling was good, I would have preferred some of the other desserts on The Falls Restaurant’s menu: Hot Fudge Turtle Brownies, for example, or Pecan Pie. For a sugar rush that will last you all day, try Aunt Alma’s Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce. It’s is a wonderful treat that has been a menu favorite at Clifty Inn since its beginnings.

Restaurant staffer Gracie Humphrey told me that sales of the Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie have picked up since it was listed in the VisitIndiana website contest. You can order a slice at any meal for $2.99. Also, customers who come to the restaurant for Sunday brunch will almost always find the pie as part of the dessert array.

Whatever your fancy when it comes to pies, be sure to vote in the VisitIndiana contest. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to vote for Clifty Falls State Park as having Indiana’s Best Fall Foliage. It’s all about that view!