Some of the best things in life are free. Some are just the simplest. Simple Things, a quaint sandwich and pie shop opening on West Third Street in early November will serve simple, classic American food that does not, thankfully, include dome-shaped, frosted mini cakes. “Our flavors, ingredients, and approach to pie are something new and exciting to break up the landscape of cupcakes and frozen yogurt,” the Simple Things team wrote in an email.

“We also wanted to create a great new menu of sandwiches that would be freshly made to order and feature our in-house roasted meats. We realized that the marriage of pie and sandwich was perfect,” said the owners, who include Andy Paxson, a restaurant industry veteran for over 20 years and Ryan Handel, who started his career as prep cook at Spago.

Missouri Mud Pie

Missouri Mud Pie

Executive chef Carrie Cusack, whose catering company Frankie & Tiny's has accumulated a following, will continue to bake her signature Missouri Mud Pie, featured in the August 2010 issue of Food & Wine Magazine. The shop will offer five or six pies daily, as well as two to three chef's special pies. And With 24 hours notice they will “make any pie for any guest – even if it is not on our menu. Give us your idea or recipe and we will get it done.” Expect rich chocolate, house-made marshmallows and graham cracker crust, among other things we're sure.

Simple Things: 8310 West Third Street, Los Angeles.

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