Pie Guy: Nathan Winner

by Brad Rhines

Tis the season for holiday treats, and whether that means a home-made pecan pie or a nice glass of Burgundy, Freret Street’s got you covered. The restaurant boom on Freret reaches new heights this week as restaurants start opening within restaurants, allowing creative cooks to embrace the recent pop-up trend and also carve out their own piece of the crowded Uptown corridor. At Dat Dog, Nathan Winner, better known as the NOLA Pie Guy, will set up shop every weekend in December, tempting passers-by with home-made pies and hot chocolate. 

Winner, a Louisiana native, attended business school at Centenary College in Shreveport before heading off to Chicago’s French Pastry School.  While in the Windy City, Winner worked as a pastry cook for Art Smith—best known as Oprah’s former chef—at Table Fifty-Two.  Since then, Winner has had his finger in multiple pies, trying to manage a career in business while still nurturing his love of pastry. 

“This deal with Dat Dog is great,” Winner told NoDef, “because I get to set up across the street from them, and it’s on Freret Street which is just blowing up, so it’s a good test market.”

Winner likes the pop-up concept, he said, because “I get to put my product out there, set my price point, see if there’s a market for it, and kind of build it from the ground up.”

But for the NOLA Pie Guy, it’s not just strictly business.  His love of pie runs deep, and he’s committed to sharing this slice of his life with the city.

At the Freret Street stand, he’ll offer individual 4” pies in three standard flavors and one specialty flavor that will rotate each week.  Even the basic pies will have a twist, like bourbon pecan or espresso chocolate.  For the speciality pies, Winner will let pie-lovers vote on his Facebook page for the flavor of the week.

In addition to the individual pies, Winner will take orders for whole pies that can be picked up for holiday events or family gatherings.  Diners can taste their favorites and order on the spot, or contact the Pie Guy through his Facebook page or Twitter account for special orders.

Look for the NOLA Pie Guy on Saturdays and Sundays this month in the over-flow seating area across the street from Dat Dog.  “If Dat Dog’s open, I’m open,” he said.  He’ll be set up for the Freret Street Market this weekend and next, and he’ll be offering free samples at NOLA Brewing’s weekly brewery tour Friday afternoon for those lucky enough to start their weekends a little early.