Independence Day was over, but firecrackers were still popping off on Townsend Avenue thanks to pie piper Tracy Ann DeVore. The skilled baker earned three ribbons at the 2015 KCRW “Good Food” Pie Contest, for her blackberry cabernet and maple pecan pies and her butter crust. She started selling pies at an Eagle Rock tent outside of the Original Tommy’s Hamburgers branch on Colorado Boulevard. DeVore now runs Knowrealitypie pie shop on an Eagle Rock side street. Her small space features exposed wood rafters, a white counter, and a decorative Barbie doll. A counter full of pies starts at $6 and go up as sizes increase.

Kelly, the baker’s friendly hype man, ran the front of house. He discussed DeVore’s achievements going back to their high school days. I was tempted by blackberry cabernet and maple pecan pies. He steered me toward Salted Caramel Mango with streusel top, juicy cubes of fruit, and judicious sweetness. I preferred Firecracker Apple Rhubarb pie with a flaky, buttery crust, a lid that’s studded with sugar crystals, and a filling that struck a sweet-tart balance. Based on what I sampled and saw, pretty much any Knowrealitypie pie would be a hit with a crust that special.