Chicagos Pi Day 2025 Savory And Sweet Pie Deals And Promotions

March 14, or 3.14, marks a unique celebration in Chicago and worldwide: Pi Day. This annual event honors the mathematical constant pi (π), which represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. For food enthusiasts in Chicago, however, Pi Day has evolved into an occasion to indulge in both sweet and savory pies at special promotional prices. Across the city, bakeries, restaurants, and pizzerias participate in this mathematical holiday by offering deals that cleverly incorporate the numerical value of pi into their pricing strategies. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Pi Day promotions available in Chicago, helping consumers take advantage of these limited-time offers.

Pi Day Background and Significance

Pi Day originated in 1988 when physicist Larry Shaw founded the celebration at the Exploratorium, a science museum in San Francisco. During a staff retreat, Shaw connected March 14 (written as 3/14 in American date format) with the first three digits of pi (3.14159…), creating an engaging way to bring the museum community together. The first celebration took place at 1:59 p.m., incorporating the next three digits of pi, and featured fruit pies along with a tea urn set up by Shaw and his wife. The event grew to include unique traditions such as a "Pi Shrine," a circular parade, and a ritual of walking around the shrine 3.14 times while singing "Happy Birthday" to Albert Einstein—whose birthday also falls on March 14.

The significance of pi extends beyond its numerical representation. Pi is a never-ending, non-repeating number that appears throughout mathematics and the natural world. The ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes was one of the first to attempt an accurate estimation of pi, but modern mathematicians have calculated it to more than 62 trillion decimal places according to Guinness World Records. The word "pi" itself derives from "perimetros," a Greek word meaning "circumference." This fundamental constant is essential in various fields, from designing bridges to calculating planetary orbits.

The U.S. House of Representatives formally recognized Pi Day in 2009, cementing its place in American culture. While the holiday maintains its mathematical roots, it has also become a commercial occasion, particularly in the food industry, where restaurants and bakeries leverage the date to offer special promotions. In Chicago, Pi Day has transformed into a city-wide celebration of culinary creativity, with numerous establishments participating in the festivities.

Chicago's Pi Day Bakery and Pie Shop Promotions

Chicago's bakery scene fully embraces Pi Day with special offers that make mathematical references both in pricing and product selection. These promotions provide an excellent opportunity for residents and visitors to sample a variety of pies at reduced prices while celebrating this unique holiday.

Hewn Bread Bakery, located at 810 Dempster St in Evanston, joins the Pi Day festivities by offering turnovers priced at $3.14, while supplies last. The bakery operates from 7am to 5pm on Pi Day, providing ample time for customers to take advantage of this mathematical promotion.

Baker's Square extends its Pi Day celebration across all Chicagoland locations with a $2 discount on any full-sized pie purchased in-store on March 13 and 14. Notably, this promotion excludes cheesecake and carrot cake varieties, focusing specifically on traditional pies. The offer applies to in-store purchases only, making it accessible to walk-in customers.

First Slice Pie Café participates in Pi Day with a buy-one-get-one-half-off deal on all pie slices at every Chicagoland location. This promotion allows customers to sample multiple flavors while enjoying significant savings. The café distinguishes itself not only through its charitable giving and outreach programs but also through its delicious fruit pies, including the popular Michigan sour cherry pie sweetened with cinnamon and vanilla.

Bennison's Bakery, situated at 1000 Davis St in Evanston, offers six-inch pies for $3.14 each. This promotion is limited to in-store purchases and does not accept pre-orders, requiring customers to visit the location directly to secure these mathematically priced treats.

Chiya Chai Cafe, located at 2770 N Milwaukee Ave, presents two specialty savory pies for Pi Day: the Balti Chicken Savory Pie and the Kale and Potato Savory Pie, both priced at $3.14 each. These options provide a savory alternative to traditional sweet pies, catering to diverse culinary preferences.

Cupitol Coffee + Eatery, at 455 E Illinois St, joins the celebration by selling miniature Greek pies for $3.14 each, offering a Mediterranean twist on the Pi Day theme.

Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits, with locations at 2051 N California Ave and 4948 N Damen, showcases its creativity with unique flavors such as gluten-free coconut cream, baklava cheesecake, and a southern tomato pot pie. For Pi Day, the bakery bakes special sweet and savory twists on classics, including the option to order their "Frankenpie" for those who cannot decide on a single variety.

Honeypie Bakeshop, located in Edgewater, allows customers to preorder 11-inch handmade pies for pickup on March 13 and 14. Originally from Milwaukee and opened in Chicago in early 2020, this shop recommends trying their key lime pie or s'mores bar for a rich chocolate-forward experience.

Justice of The Pies, an Avalon Park establishment, earns recognition for its exceptional pie craftsmanship. While specific Pi Day promotions are not detailed in the source material, the shop's reputation suggests it likely participates in the city-wide celebrations with special offers.

Pizza Specials for Pi Day

Pizza, often referred to as "pizza pie," naturally fits into Pi Day celebrations, and Chicago's pizzerias have embraced this connection with creative promotions. These offers range from simple discounts to interactive elements that engage customers in the mathematical spirit of the holiday.

Jet's Pizza extends Pi Day deals across all Chicagoland locations with an interactive promotion: customers who recite the first three digits of pi (3.14) receive a small one-topping pizza for $3.14. This offer combines mathematical engagement with culinary satisfaction, making it particularly appealing to both math enthusiasts and food lovers.

Blaze Pizza participates in Pi Day by allowing customers to build their own 11-inch pizza for just $3.14 at any Chicago location. This promotion provides significant value, as customers can customize their pizzas with various toppings while maintaining the mathematical pricing theme.

7-Eleven offers Pi Day savings to loyalty members, who can purchase any flavor of large pizza for $3.14 at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores. The offer is limited to one transaction per customer, with a maximum of two transactions per day, encouraging repeat visits while managing demand.

Pizzeria Due, located in River North, provides a traditional pizza option with a 10-inch, thin-crust cheese or pepperoni pizza priced at $3.14. This offer is available for both dine-in and takeout, making it accessible to various customer preferences.

The Windsor and Remington's Restaurant, with locations at 160 E Huron St and 20 N Michigan Ave, focus on a specific pie variety rather than traditional pizza. Both restaurants sell slices of key lime pie for $5 during lunch and dinner hours, providing a sweet alternative to savory pizza options.

Other Food Deals for Pi Day

Beyond traditional pies and pizza, Chicago's culinary landscape offers additional Pi Day promotions that extend the celebration to other food categories. These deals maintain the mathematical theme while providing diverse culinary options for consumers.

Avli Taverna, situated at 1335 W Wrightwood Ave, participates in Pi Day by selling individual hortopita pies for $3.14 each. This Greek-inspired savory pie offers a Mediterranean twist on the Pi Day celebration, expanding the variety of options available to consumers.

Chicago French Market, located at 131 N Clinton St, enhances its Pi Day offerings by featuring three vendors with special promotions. Santullo's provides cheese pizza slices for $3.14 from 2pm until closing, while Windy City Dawgs offers Chicago-style hot dogs for the same price. Firenze Street Food complements these options by selling all small sandwiches for $3.14. This diverse selection ensures that visitors to the popular West Loop food hall can find something to suit their tastes while celebrating Pi Day.

Burger King contributes to Pi Day festivities with a promotional offer that includes a free Hershey's sundae pie with any $3.14 purchase. This deal, part of the chain's week of breakfast promotions, provides a sweet treat at no additional cost when combined with qualifying purchases.

Tips for Maximizing Pi Day Deals

To fully capitalize on Chicago's Pi Day promotions, consumers should consider several strategies to maximize their experience and savings. Planning ahead and understanding the specific requirements of each offer can enhance the overall celebration.

First, it's essential to verify the operating hours and availability of each participating establishment, as some promotions may be limited to specific timeframes or subject to availability. For example, Bennison's Bakery's $3.14 pies are only available in-store without pre-orders, while Honeypie Bakeshop requires preordering for pickup on March 13 and 14.

Second, customers should clarify any purchase requirements or restrictions. Baker's Square's $2 discount excludes cheesecake and carrot cake varieties, and some offers may require minimum purchase amounts or specific payment methods. Understanding these details in advance prevents disappointment and ensures a smooth experience.

Third, taking advantage of multiple locations can significantly expand the Pi Day experience. Chains like Baker's Square, First Slice Pie Café, and Jet's Pizza operate at various Chicagoland locations, allowing consumers to visit multiple venues and sample diverse offerings while maintaining the mathematical theme through consistent pricing.

For those interested in both sweet and savory options, planning a route that includes specialized bakeries, pizza establishments, and other food venues can provide a comprehensive Pi Day culinary tour. Starting with breakfast at Burger King for a free Hershey's sundae pie, continuing with lunch at Chicago French Market for $3.14 hot dogs or sandwiches, and ending with dinner at a pizzeria for a $3.14 pizza creates a full day of mathematical-themed dining.

Conclusion

Chicago's Pi Day celebration offers a delightful blend of mathematical appreciation and culinary indulgence. From traditional bakeries offering sweet pies at $3.14 to pizzerias providing discounted pizza options, the city's food establishments have embraced this unique holiday with creativity and enthusiasm. While true freebies are limited, the promotional prices provide significant value, making Pi Day an excellent opportunity for both locals and visitors to explore Chicago's diverse food scene.

The variety of options ensures that there's something for every taste preference, whether one favors sweet fruit pies, savory meat pies, classic pizza, or other culinary creations. By planning ahead and understanding the specific terms of each promotion, consumers can maximize their Pi Day experience and enjoy the mathematical magic of 3.14 through delicious food.

As Pi Day continues to grow in popularity, Chicago's food scene demonstrates how a mathematical constant can inspire creative promotions and foster community celebration. Whether you're a math enthusiast, a food lover, or simply looking for an excuse to enjoy great food at great prices, Chicago's Pi Day deals offer something special for everyone.

Sources

1. Hewnbread.com Chicago Area Deals
2. Timeout Chicago Pi Day Deals
3. Chicago Sun-Times Pi Day Coverage
4. Secret Chicago Pi Day Deals
5. Chicago Citycast Best Chicago Pies