When Judy Balunda was growing up in Waco, Texas, her mother lovingly nicknamed her JudyPie. Judy enjoyed pretend cooking in her play kitchen – but what she most loved was sampling her mother’s wonderful, homemade pies. Her mother’s recipes have remained as family favorites to this day, passed on to Judy and her daughter Adohree (named for her grandmother Rhoda, with "Rhoda" spelled backwards and two "e's" added at the end).
Today – after a 28-year career as a special education teacher – Judy owns and operates the sweetest little shop on Grapevine’s magical Main Street called JudyPie, which was recently selected by USA Today readers and editors as the #5 pie shop in the nation. JudyPie was the only Texas pie shop nominated for this honor.
“Keep it sweet” is her motto, and it’s clear that a big part of Judy’s success is her caring attitude. She’s nurturing and friendly. She offers warmth, comfort and, of course, pie to her friends and customers, as well as a listening ear when they need it most.
Everything at JudyPie is made from scratch.
When Judy retired, she began baking treats for her son to take to work. A friend who sold cakes asked if Judy could bake some pies for Thanksgiving, and they quickly sold out. It was a family idea to build a JudyPie home on Grapevine’s bustling Main Street. Judy wanted her pecan pie to be the specialty because of the memories she held dear – visiting her aunt’s house every Sunday, shelling the pecans from her yard, then going back to the house where her mother would bake them up. Her aunt often told her, “Someday, JudyPie, you will be the one to make these.”
There are family pictures on the walls of her shop. It’s a cozy atmosphere that gets people sharing their own family memories as they enjoy a slice of pie.
There are about 15 pies on the menu, which changes seasonally. If customers request a certain flavor, Judy is happy to oblige. There also cakes like German chocolate, carrot, red velvet, chocolate pudding cake, tiramisu and vanilla bean cheesecake. Judy even makes custom dog cakes. Delicious hand pies, house-made cookies and cinnamon rolls, stickie buns, pumpkin rolls and a flavorful strawberry whipped cream roll are also available with 24-hour notice. The pies are sold by the slice, in 4-inch tins and as full 6- or 10-inch pies. JudyPie also makes mouthwatering chicken pot pies and shepherd’s pies. The shop bakes for weddings, special events, even holiday gift-giving, and the last Tuesday of each month is a special party, when guests come to play bingo and pie trivia over dinner and good conversation.
On every table in the shop are blank cards for customers to write a note of encouragement for someone struggling with mental health concerns, and instead of tips, they can donate to MHMR of Tarrant County. Judy and her team deliver donations, pies and personal items to MHMR patients each month. Judy’s always had an interest in the mental health field,
In everything Judy does, her nurturing spirit shines through.
Serving others, hearing their stories and sharing her own, while offering warmth from both the heart and the oven are the elements that make JudyPie so special.
“Keep it sweet” is her motto, and it’s clear that a big part of Judy’s success is her caring attitude.