Some road trip stops are just a quick break for gas and a stretch. Others turn into family traditions that last for decades.
In southern Oklahoma, right off Interstate 35 near Davis, a small roadside bakery has been handing travelers fried pies since 1954. Folks drive in from Dallas, Oklahoma City, and small towns all around just to grab a peach, pecan, or apple pie for the road.
The shop makes its own dough and filling every day, and if your flavor is not on the shelf, a fresh one may be on its way in about seven minutes. Kids who stopped here with their parents now bring their own kids.
The menu runs long, the prices stay friendly, and the building keeps its old-school look. Keep reading for the story, the flavors, the best times to go, and a few tips that make the stop even better.
1. A Pie Stop Beside US-77
Every great road trip needs one stop that nobody wants to skip. In southern Oklahoma, that stop is Arbuckle Mountain Fried Pies, a pie shop at 4145 US-77, Davis, OK 73030, United States.
The shop sits just off Interstate 35 near exit 51, which makes it easy to reach for anyone heading between Oklahoma City and the Texas line. Travelers call it a quick detour that feels worth far more than the few minutes it takes.
It works as part gas station stop and part roadside bakery. The main event is clear the moment you read the menu board, and it is all about fried pies.
Both sweet and savory options fill the lineup. Fruit pies, cream pies, and hearty savory pies all share space here, so there is something for nearly every appetite in the car.
The shop is not fancy, and it does not try to be. It is a place built for grabbing a pie, stretching your legs, and getting back on the road with a smile.
Plenty of families treat the stop as a must on any drive through this part of the state. Once you see the long list of flavors, you may understand why the brakes tend to hit on their own.
2. The 1954 Recipe Story
Long before road trip apps, a simple family recipe started taking shape south of the Arbuckle Mountains. That recipe would turn into one of the best-known pie stops in the state.
In 1954, E.W. and Maude Pletcher opened the shop in Davis. Their idea was straightforward: make good fried pies and sell them to the people passing through.
Seven decades later, the idea still holds. The business is known across Oklahoma and well beyond for its wide variety of sweet and savory fried pies.
Part of the charm is how little the core approach seems to have changed. The dough, the filling, and the pies themselves are still made every day.
That daily routine connects today’s customers to the first ones who stopped back in the 1950s. Grandparents who once ate these pies as kids now share them with grandchildren.
Some regulars say they have been coming since they were babies. That kind of loyalty does not happen by accident, and it speaks to a recipe that keeps earning its spot on the family itinerary.
For anyone who loves Oklahoma history, this is a tasty slice of it. The past is not behind glass here; it comes wrapped in a paper sleeve.
3. Fresh From the Fryer, Only When You Ask
Here is the detail that makes people talk. If your flavor is not ready on the shelf, the crew can fry one up fresh after you order.
The wait is short, usually around seven minutes. Savory pies in particular are made to order, so expect to pause a little before handing one to a hungry passenger.
Some days the wait stretches closer to ten minutes. On busy afternoons it can run longer, so it helps to plan a little cushion into the drive.
That made-to-order approach is what gives the title of this article its promise. A peach pie that was not sitting around earlier lands in your hands warm and freshly finished.
The sweet pies on the shelves are fresh too, made the same day. So the choice comes down to grabbing one right away or waiting a few minutes for a pie straight from the fryer.
Families often split the difference. One person grabs a ready pie to hold everyone over, while a savory order finishes in the back.
A short wait has a way of building anticipation. By the time your name is called, the whole car is ready to dig in.
4. Twenty-Two Flavors and Counting
Decision fatigue is real at this counter. The shop serves about 22 flavors, and choosing just one can feel like a pop quiz.
Fruit pies lead the way with options like peach, cherry, blueberry, apple, strawberry, and apricot. Cream pies such as chocolate, lemon, coconut, and vanilla round out the sweeter side.
Pecan stands out as a crowd favorite and comes up again and again among regulars. Seasonal picks like pumpkin and German chocolate have shown up as well.
Sugarless choices are available among the fruit flavors too. That is a handy option for travelers watching their sugar.
Fans of apricot have been known to joke that newcomers should not order it, just so there is more left for them. That kind of playful rivalry says plenty about how attached people get to their picks.
Flavors can rotate, and a beloved banana cream has been missed by some loyal customers. It is smart to check the board rather than set your heart on one specific pie.
Many groups solve the dilemma by ordering a mix and sharing. Six pies across a family of four is not unheard of here.
5. Savory Pies for the Breakfast Crowd
Dessert first is fine, but breakfast first works too. With doors opening at 7 AM, the savory lineup makes this an easy morning stop.
The Davis location offers savory pies like broccoli and chicken, sausage and potato, a Tex-Mex option, and sausage, egg, and cheese. A chicken and vegetable pie has fans as well.
These are made to order, which is why they take a few extra minutes. The payoff is a pie that comes out hot with a crispy crust that holds up rather than going soggy.
One practical tip matters a lot. Leave a hot savory pie in its paper sleeve while eating, since it can fall apart if pulled out too soon.
Savory pies make a full meal for many people. Pairing one with a sweet pie turns a quick stop into breakfast and dessert at the same time.
Road trippers heading out early from Oklahoma City or Dallas often time their drive to hit Davis right as the doors open. It beats a drive-through sandwich by a long mile.
6. Frozen Pies to Carry Home
Leaving with only the pie in your hand is a rookie move. The shop also sells frozen pies, and they are a popular way to bring the stop home.
Prices on the frozen pies are considered more than fair. That makes stocking up for family or friends an easy decision.
Some travelers buy ten or fifteen pies before heading back across the state line. Neighbors and coworkers tend to appreciate a bag of Oklahoma fried pies.
Frozen pies also solve the flavor problem. If the group could not settle on one favorite, take a few different ones home and test them later.
Bring a cooler on longer drives. It helps keep the pies in good shape until they hit your freezer.
Souvenir cups are another fun take-home item. They make a small keepsake for kids who want proof they made the stop.
A box of pies turns a quick break into a gift. It also keeps the road trip going long after the car is parked in the driveway.
7. Old-School Cabin Charm
Nobody comes here for sleek decor. The building has an old-school look, and some say it feels a bit like a former cabin.
Inside, the setup is simple. There is a counter, a menu, and a small eat-in area for sitting down with your pie.
The sitting area is exactly that, a place to sit, eat, and get going. It has been described as clean, even if nothing about it is fancy.
Some folks feel the space could use an update or two. Restrooms are available, though they have been called a little neglected at times.
A few outdoor seats are on hand as well. They give travelers another spot to enjoy a pie on a nice day.
Photo ops are available too, which kids enjoy. A quick snapshot with the pie sign makes a good addition to the family road trip album.
That unpolished vibe is part of the appeal for many longtime fans. It feels like a classic roadside stop, the kind Oklahoma has always done well.
8. Counter Talk and Busy Lines
Popularity comes with a price, and here it is usually paid in minutes. Lines can form, especially on busy days.
Some customers have waited 25 to 30 minutes to order when only one person was working the register. A quoted ten-minute wait has turned into thirty on occasion.
Most people shrug it off once the pies arrive. The common feeling is that the pie is worth the wait.
Staff interactions vary. Many describe the people behind the counter as friendly and helpful, while others find them nice but not outgoing.
A few customers have run into a grumpy moment. Long shifts on busy days may play a part, so a little patience goes a long way.
When things run smoothly, the crew moves fast. Orders can come out quickly and efficiently even with a crowd waiting.
Going earlier in the day may help avoid the longest lines. Either way, packing some patience is as useful as packing snacks.
9. Turner Falls and the Arbuckle Detour
Hikers know the drill. After a day around Turner Falls, plenty of families swing by for a fried pie reward.
Turner Falls sits in the nearby Arbuckle Mountains and draws crowds who want to see Oklahoma beyond the prairie. Pairing the falls with a pie stop makes for a full day trip.
The shop is right off I-35, so it fits neatly at the start or end of an outing. It is a natural place to stretch legs before the drive home.
Families from Texas often fit a pie stop into weekend trips to the Davis area. Some even plan their last day around buying pies to take back.
For Oklahoma families, the combo is a great answer to the question of what to do this weekend. Scenery, a little adventure, and an affordable treat all fit into one outing.
Seasonal crowds at Turner Falls can affect lines at the pie shop. Summer weekends may bring more traffic, so timing matters.
Either way, few things end a hike better. A warm pie tends to make sore legs feel a whole lot lighter.
10. Hours, Costs, and Getting There
Planning is easy, since the schedule is refreshingly simple. The shop is open every day of the week from 7 AM to 7 PM.
To get there, take Interstate 35 to exit 51 in southern Oklahoma. The shop sits on US-77 near Davis, a straightforward drive from Oklahoma City or the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Prices are widely considered fair. As one example, a sausage, egg, and cheese pie has come in around six dollars with tax.
Frozen pies are also budget friendly, which makes stocking up reasonable. A family can share several pies without breaking the travel budget.
Hours and prices may change over time. Checking the shop’s website or calling before a long drive is always a smart idea.
Plan extra time for savory pies, since they are made to order. On busy days, a cushion of 20 to 30 minutes helps keep the schedule calm.
A little preparation keeps the visit easy. Then all that is left is deciding which flavor goes first.
11. Worth the Exit Every Time
Some places earn their reputation one pie at a time. Seventy years of daily dough and filling have done exactly that for this little shop near Davis.
With thousands of happy customers and a 4.7-star standing, the stop clearly connects with people. Families keep coming back, and first-timers often leave planning their next trip.
It is not perfect. Lines can drag, the building shows its age, and the counter mood can vary from day to day.
Yet those quirks rarely outweigh the pies themselves. Fresh flavors, made-to-order savory options, and fair prices keep the parking lot busy.
For Oklahoma families looking for a cheap and memorable outing, it checks every box. Add a hike at Turner Falls, and the day practically plans itself.
Some fans drive three hours just to return. Others make it an annual tradition.
So the next time I-35 rolls past exit 51, consider slowing down. A peach pie fresh from the fryer may be the best few minutes of the whole drive.
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