A pie shed that started out selling slices and jugs of cider to passing apple pickers doesn’t usually end up in the same conversation as the world’s best apple pie. Yet that’s exactly what happened to Apple Annie’s Bakery & Restaurant, the modest roadside stop in Oak Glen that Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Eats guidebook once crowned the single best place on the planet to eat apple pie.
Since opening its doors back in 1978, Apple Annie’s has grown from that humble apple shed into a full-blown bakery and restaurant, but it’s never lost the orchard-town charm that put it on the map in the first place. Oak Glen itself is one of Southern California’s few real apple-growing regions, and Apple Annie’s sits right in the thick of it, making it the natural stop for anyone driving up the hill for a day of apple picking, cider tasting, and comfort food.
What To Order
The signature item is the mile-high apple pie, a towering, generously stuffed slice that’s become the whole reason people make the drive up the mountain. It’s the kind of dessert that gets ordered before the meal even starts, just to make sure it doesn’t sell out.
Beyond the pie, the bakery case is loaded with homemade apple fritters that regulars consider just as essential as the pie itself, along with cherry pie and apple turnovers for anyone who wants something a little more portable. The savory side of the menu leans hearty, with chicken pot pies, meat pies, and fried chicken pulling in their own following.
The full restaurant menu goes well beyond pie, covering pancakes, omelets, and French toast for breakfast, plus a few genuinely inventive dishes like Oreo French toast and a pulled pork plate topped with caramel apple tots, apple relish, and a house-made green chile caramel. It’s a menu that clearly isn’t afraid to mix classic diner comfort with a few unexpected twists.
Atmosphere & Décor
Apple Annie’s leans into its country roots with nostalgic, farmhouse-style decor that fits right in with the surrounding orchards and mountain scenery. The interior has the warm, lived-in feel of a small-town bakery rather than a polished chain restaurant.
Outdoor patio seating is a big part of the experience, especially in the cooler months when Oak Glen’s fall colors are on full display. The property is also pet-friendly, so it’s common to see dogs settled in under the tables while their owners work through a slice of pie.
Apple Annie’s now operates as part of Oak Tree Mountain, a larger “Year Round Country Fair” style destination in Oak Glen, which adds shopping and other activities to the mix if you want to make a full day of your visit.
Other Considerations
Is it busy? Yes, especially on weekends and during fall apple season, so expect a wait for a table if you show up during peak hours.
Should I get the pie or eat the full meal? Opinions land all over the place on the sit-down food itself, with some meals landing flat while the pie consistently draws praise, so plenty of regulars treat this as more of a bakery stop than a full dinner destination.
What are the hours? Apple Annie’s is generally open 10am to 5pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends, though it’s worth calling ahead since hours can shift seasonally around the apple harvest.
Can I bring my dog? Yes, the outdoor patio welcomes pets, making it an easy stop if you’re spending the day exploring Oak Glen with your furry companion.
Apple Annie’s Bakery & Restaurant
📍 38480 Oak Glen Rd, Oak Glen, CA 92399
Website: https://oaktreemountain.com/apple-annies
