The most amazing thing happened to me today on Thanksgiving Eve making my pie run to a local up scale supermarket in San Jose called Zanotto’s. This store is a little to expensive for me but I will break down every now and then and go for a Gizdich pie. The famous Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville makes some great pies and only distributes to a couple local chains. A hot Gizdich pie fresh out the oven is worth the trip, but now I found something better! Ms. Nitta!!!!
Meet Ms. Nitta!
I was so bumbed, I’m in Zanotto’s at 9:30am this morning thinking I’m an early bird, and dude is standing there with the last pecan pie in his hands. As fate would have it here is this lady with the Manager and they are stalking the shelves but with about a couple dozen pumpkin pies. I figured this lady was there to buy a pie, so when I asked the manager if there were any pecans coming out, this lady speaks up and says you want pecan? I said well yes, and now I’m bumbed that I have to hunt San Jose for a pecan pie. She tells me she has pecan pie back home and it took me a couple minutes to figure out this was Ms. Nitta herself I was talking to!!!
I was floored that the hands that made these pies was in front me and said she could be back in about 40mins and with hot pies! I told Ms. Nitta if they are even close to hot I’ll wait an hour, heck I’d drive to Watsonville for a hot pie, so this was an easy choice for me. That’s when she told me, “well why I don’t just follow her home, I’m not far and you can have a pie in about 10mins.” So that’s what I did!
I was floored again!! Ms. Nitta takes me back to her little apartment down the street in Santa Clara and there is this convection oven sitting outside her front door! Wow! She can bake 24 pies at a time in this thing. I got hot pecan, hot sweet potato, and a pumpkin pie.
Here comes the kicker, Ms. Nitta lives about a mile and a half down the street from me! I could walk or ride my bike to her place the next time I’m Jones’n for a hot pie.
This was God’s gift to me this Christmas Season. Friends and family you are getting hot pies!! The only catch is I have to eat it with you!
If ya’ll are anywhere near Silicon Valley, if you own a small grocery store or just want to taste a real pie? Call Ms. Nitta! Ooooh Child, do yourselves a favor and try one of her sweet potato pies.
You had the rest, now try the best!
Thank you Ms. Nitta for making my Christmas Season so special all ready! God Bless
Nita Willis:
408-903-5052 (cell)
408-246-4570
cookies4u.nita@gmail.com
Best article Substack's ever put out.
Some fine people in your neighborhood Albert!
this is such an amazing thanksgiving story… my fave is coconut cream pie!