Best Banana Cream Pie: The Apple Pan

N. Galuten

The Apple Pan's banana cream pie

A good piece of pie will often remind you of your childhood, or at the very least, give you a glimpse into a childhood that you wish you'd had. Apple pie tends to get a lot of credit in this arena, and despite an old, popular phrase, blueberry pie may actually be the most American. But when it's all said and done, a properly made banana cream pie might be the most deeply comforting of them all.

Los Angeles has many different versions around town, and they're available year-round. But as much as we enjoy a modern take on a classic -- like the individually portioned one on the dessert menu at Suzanne Tracht's Jar, sweet, mellow, and drizzled with a light caramel sauce -- we most enjoy an actual classic. So when it comes to true satisfaction, it is seemingly impossible to look beyond the one at a 63-year-old institution: The Apple Pan. A tender crust, firm slices of fresh banana, sweet yellow custard, and a thin layer of soft cream. Their apple pies and hamburgers do appear to be more popular, but sometimes it really feels like they shouldn't be.

The Apple Pan: 10801 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A., (310) 475-3585‎.

Look for more "Best of L.A." pieces in our annual Best of L.A. issue, out Oct. 7th.