<\/p>\n
A marionberry pie slice at Ikeda\u2019s California Country Market. The pie shop is seeking the title of America\u2019s best pie.<\/p>\n
Derek Ikeda<\/p>\n
Ikeda\u2019s California Country Market <\/p>\n
A local institution is vying for the title of America\u2019s best pie shop.<\/p>\n
Ikeda\u2019s California Country Market is one of a number of pie shops across the U.S. competing for bragging rights in USA Today\u2019s 10Best Readers\u2019 Choice Awards<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI think at one point Oprah put our marionberry pie in her magazine, saying that was her favorite pie in California or America or something,\u201d said Derek Ikeda, during a visit to The Sacramento Bee\u2019s newsroom. Ikeda, along with his sibling and cousin, are the third generation to help run the market and stores.<\/p>\n Ikeda\u2019s, he said, has never been nominated for a contest like this before, and he\u2019s determined to win.<\/p>\n Ikeda\u2019s, which has a location in Auburn and another in Davis, started out in 1950 as a humble fruit stand off Highway 40, opened by the late Sam Ikeda.<\/p>\n Pies only came into the picture about 30 years ago, said Ikeda, when his father Glen suggested turning bruised fruit into pastries. While both outposts still sell fruit, it only took a handful of years for pies to become Ikeda\u2019s main calling card. The USA Today 10Best website describes the Auburn location, which also has an on-site restaurant, as showcasing \u201cNorthern California\u2019s agricultural bounty through impossibly fresh fruit pies, cobblers, and cream pies.\u201d<\/p>\n Ikeda\u2019s offers 20 pie varieties<\/a>, many made with local fruit grown at the family orchard. Flavors such as pumpkin and pecan are only available seasonally. Pies range in price; per the Ikeda\u2019s website, fruit pies generally cost $29.99 and cream pies range between $26.99 and $33.99.<\/p>\n Ikeda has been on a campaign for his store, visiting media outlets<\/a> and using social media outreach to drum up votes for his family\u2019s pies, urging followers and fans to vote once per day. \u201cWhat\u2019s amazed me and our family is the support, the way that the community really came together,\u201d he said. \u201cWe thought maybe a couple of people would see it and vote, you know, maybe some loyal fans.\u201d Instead, he said, the outpouring of support has been tremendous.<\/p>\n Competition is stiff, however, as only 10 pie shops will make the final cut and only one will receive the title of best-loved pie shop in America. For Ikeda, that honor means a lot. \u201cIf we (win) this, it\u2019s recognition for all the hard work my dad\u2019s put in, my uncle, my brother, my grandparents,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Polls will remain open for voting<\/a> until Monday, June 8, and will close at 9 a.m. PST. Results will be announced by USA Today on Wednesday, June 17.<\/p>\n This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 3:04 PM.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n![\"Ikeda\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/public\/latest-news\/jzlx5g\/picture316012196\/alternates\/FREE_1200\/IMG_0848.jpg\" "\\"IMG_0848.jpg\\"")
Ikeda\u2019s California Country Market boasts 20 varieties of pies for sale at what once was just a fruit stand. The pie shop is seeking the title of America\u2019s best pie. Derek Ikeda Ikeda\u2019s California Country Market <\/p>\n Ikeda\u2019s California Country Market in Auburn and Davis boasts 20 varieties of pies on its menu including Dutch Apple. The pie shop is seeking the title of America\u2019s best pie. Derek Ikeda Ikeda\u2019s California Country Market <\/p>\n
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