havencoffeehouse: I usually tell people it’s finely chopped spider monkeys, but that could get the ASPCA all over me on here.Chunky Momkey is a pretty layered pie with the flavor pairings of banana, peanut butter, chocolate and coconut.Seriously good.Another I mentioned that would need to be kept chilled is a white chocolate mousse that has raspberries, blueberries and strawberries folded into it before it sets up completely.Rich and refreshing at the same time.Granny’s Caramel Apple has a brown sugar & butter caramel sauce cooked on the stove, then poured over the apple pie before it is baked.Our blue ribbon winner is Chocolate Chunk Pecan.My wife says it’s the only reason she married me, and there are days . . .

Omg. Okay, so here’s my plan – get into Marshalltown early so that I can try this Maid-Rite place, as I find this oddly intriguing. Rest. Go to Haven for pie for dinner. Lots of pie, because I seriously won’t be able to decide and I’ll sit there and dither forever and you’ll have to threaten to kick me out and there’ll be a scandal, etc. Much better to just try all the pies. :-)

havencoffeehouse: I usually tell people it’s finely chopped spider monkeys, but that could get the ASPCA all over me on here.Chunky Momkey is a pretty layered pie with the flavor pairings of banana, peanut butter, chocolate and coconut.Seriously good.Another I mentioned that would need to be kept chilled is a white chocolate mousse that has raspberries, blueberries and strawberries folded into it before it sets up completely.Rich and refreshing at the same time.Granny’s Caramel Apple has a brown sugar & butter caramel sauce cooked on the stove, then poured over the apple pie before it is baked.Our blue ribbon winner is Chocolate Chunk Pecan.My wife says it’s the only reason she married me, and there are days . . .

First off, Thank You for starting and continuing this conversation. For first timers like me, it makes all the difference in the world.

I had planned to visit you for dinner but you have changed my plans, again.

Now, instead of going to camp and setting up and cleaning up I’m going to arrive on your doorstep hot and sweaty, craving a slice of Chunky Monkey. You have only yourself to blame. :-) I don’t want to smell up your establishment so If you prefer, I’ll eat my pie outside. I hope you make TONS of CM so there’s a slice or two left for me. I’ll be the old bald guy in the white velomobile with flames on the side.

Then, after I’ve enjoyed some fine pie, I’ll go set up camp, get cleaned up and stroll back over and have a proper dinner.

Thanks again,

Sean

Not for dinner, per se, but two of the best things ever at a stop on different bike rides: shots of pickle juice, and frozen chocolate-dipped bananas. Not together. Pure awesomeness!

For dinner? Beef stroganoff over ANY carb (potatoes, rice, noodles) would be about perfect. Followed by a rhubarb or gooseberry pie, of course!

LaurenK:
I am gluten-free and a vegetarian (I know…)I am very worried about my eating options. I would love to see gluten-free pasta options.

Any others out there like me who can offer advice? I plan to pack protein bars, goo, bananas, dried fruit, and nuts. I imagine I will be able to find eggs and cheese.

Gluten-free pasta may not happen for you on the ride, but you just never know. We will have a gluten-free bread available that could be substituted by requestd for the bread that is listed on any of our signature sandwiches. We have two that are vegetarian. We make homemade quiche, and will have a veggie variety of some sort during the ride. One of our signature soups is Tomato Basil, which starts with a soup kettle of tomatoes and an imersion blender. No gluten there. We also have great salads. Our brand new addition is Strawberry Grilled Chicken. Spring mix, romaine, baby spinach, red onion, toasted almonds, and fresh strawberries — served with grilled chicken breast strips and poppeyseed dressing.

I don’t know what you’ll find elsewhere on the ride, but I think we can accomodate you here on Wednesday night.

Miss Curmudgeonly: Omg. Okay, so here’s my plan – get into Marshalltown early so that I can try this Maid-Rite place, as I find this oddly intriguing. Rest. Go to Haven for pie for dinner. Lots of pie, because I seriously won’t be able to decide and I’ll sit there and dither forever and you’ll have to threaten to kick me out and there’ll be a scandal, etc. Much better to just try all the pies.

You are just too funny!! But you’re right — DON”T HOLD UP THE LINE!!!

It sounds like we’re going to be making pie for RAGBRAI after all, but when you said “try all the pies”, you didn’t mean ALL the pies did you? I don’t think we want to try to make some of all 28 varieties. I’m thinking maybe more like 6 or 8, or no one will be able to make up their mind. I don’t have any bouncers on staff, but now I’m starting to re-think that for July.

shawndev:
Not for dinner, per se, but two of the best things ever at a stop on different bike rides: shots of pickle juice, and frozen chocolate-dipped bananas. Not together. Pure awesomeness!

For dinner? Beef stroganoff over ANY carb (potatoes, rice, noodles) would be about perfect. Followed by a rhubarb or gooseberry pie, of course!

Was that sweet pickle or dill juice? While not on the menu, we can accommodate a request for a shot of dill juice if that’s what makes you happy.

Stop in today for a slice of strawberry-rhubarb, our flavor-of-the-week. We only bake plain rhubarb or gooseberry if someone orders a whole pie. While I share your tastes, not enough others do to make it worth making. I was wondering about baking Bumbleberry for the overnight because it’s a little unusual — blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, apples and rhubarb. It’s a lot better than you’d think!

havencoffeehouse: You are just too funny!!But you’re right — DON”T HOLD UP THE LINE!!!

It sounds like we’re going to be making pie for RAGBRAI after all, but when you said “try all the pies”, you didn’t mean ALL the pies did you?I don’t think we want to try to make some of all 28 varieties.I’m thinking maybe more like 6 or 8, or no one will be able to make up their mind.I don’t have any bouncers on staff, but now I’m starting to re-think that for July.

Lol, okay, 28 slices may be a BIT much, but I was thinking at least of all the ones you mentioned earlier – a veritable Sophie’s Choice of pies. What with the caramel apple one and the cold berry one and the chocolate one and this Chunky Monkey and then you bring BUMBLEBERRY into the mix?? So cruel! How is one to decide??

Umm yeah, I’m thinking bouncers might be a good idea. I think it’ll be a long night for everyone involved. 8-O

havencoffeehouse:

I don’t know what you’ll find elsewhere on the ride, but I think we can accomodate you here on Wednesday night.

And, Lauren is a friend of mine, and I’ve already told our crew (Team Sloth) where we’ll be dining Wednesday night. :-D

Miss Curmudgeonly: And, Lauren is a friend of mine, and I’ve already told our crew (Team Sloth) where we’ll be dining Wednesday night.

Team Sloth? Okay, now I understand the whole rolling into town late thing. LOL You may not have to worry about deciding what kind of pie to choose . . . you may be lucky to find any of it remaining. I may need stretcher barers to carry out the people that try to consume too many kinds. Regardless, I will look forward to meeting a face and a voice to go with the sense of humor when July rolls around.

havencoffeehouse: Team Sloth?Okay, now I understand the whole rolling into town late thing.LOLYou may not have to worry about deciding what kind of pie to choose . . . you may be lucky to find any of it remaining.I may need stretcher barers to carry out the people that try to consume too many kinds.Regardless, I will look forward to meeting a face and a voice to go with the sense of humor when July rolls around.

Lol, well, I’d be tempted to deSloth it a bit that day to get into town earlier…but on the other hand, given my inability to make simple (not that pie is ever simple!) decisions, it might be better for all involved if I don’t have too much to choose from.

Looking forward to meeting you as well!

Ham balls ham balls ham balls!

SeanHavins: First off, Thank You for starting and continuing this conversation. For first timers like me, it makes all the difference in the world.

I had planned to visit you for dinner but you have changed my plans, again.

Now, instead of going to camp and setting up and cleaning up I’m going to arrive on your doorstep hot and sweaty, craving a slice of Chunky Monkey. You have only yourself to blame. I don’t want to smell up your establishment so If you prefer, I’ll eat my pie outside. I hope you make TONS of CM so there’s a slice or two left for me. I’ll be the old bald guy in the white velomobile with flames on the side.

Then, after I’ve enjoyed some fine pie, I’ll go set up camp, get cleaned up and stroll back over and have a proper dinner.

Thanks again,

Sean

Is that YOU or the Velomobile that has flames on the side?

oKo:
Ham balls ham balls ham balls!

Also something best left to someone that does them well, and that wouldn’t be us. I do like the suggestion about coordinating the service organizations and their menus to avoid mass duplication. I will pass that suggestion along to Marshalltown’s planning committee, as well as your request for ham balls. This sounds like something best handled through those channels.

havencoffeehouse: Is that YOU or the Velomobile that has flames on the side?

Ha! Sometimes I wonder…

havencoffeehouse: Was that sweet pickle or dill juice?While not on the menu, we can accommodate a request for a shot of dill juice if that’s what makes you happy.

Stop in today for a slice of strawberry-rhubarb, our flavor-of-the-week.We only bake plain rhubarb or gooseberry if someone orders a whole pie.While I share your tastes, not enough others do to make it worth making.I was wondering about baking Bumbleberry for the overnight because it’s a little unusual — blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, apples and rhubarb.It’s a lot better than you’d think!

That would be dill pickle juice. Loaded with lots of good elctrolytes. Has pulled my fat from the fire more than once. Start saving you jars of juice!

Yeah I agree, not everyone likes the sour pies like I do. I’d think the rhubarb would be easier to sell than the gooseberry. Once on Biking Across Kansas, one town started putting “Home-made Pie” signs out on the road starting about 3 miles outside the overnight town. I saw those signs for 30+ miles, and had my heart set on a slice of rhubarb. When I finally got to the front of the line, the lady told me the guy in front of me just bought the last slice! I mean really? Thinking, nay, dreaming about it for 2 hours, and the guy in front of me buys the last slice? Argh!