Part all-night diner and part pastry shop, with the vinyl-and-Formica decorative appeal of a bowling alley, people come here because people come here--and that bit of circular logic has remained pretty much unbroken since the place began serving up slices of chocolately Bayou Goo in the 1970s. Its very lack of pretension is appealing, particularly given its elite location between River Oaks and West University. Delivery truck drivers, society matrons, curfew-busting high schoolers and off-duty cops--all are welcome.

With sugar-free pastries, classic fruit favorites and sinfully rich offerings like the multi-layered Bayou Goo and chocolate cream--all freshly baked--there's a pie for every craving. The all-day short-order menu offers typical greasy-spoon fare, but the drink sizes are generous and the staff is the down-home friendly type you'd find in any Southern diner.

There is another House of Pies location at 6142 Westheimer.