Lois the Pie Queen: A California Treasure Serving Soul Food, Legacy, and Love Since 1951

Lois the Pie Queen: A California Treasure Serving Soul Food, Legacy, and Love Since 1951

In a time when many restaurants come and go, one Black-owned institution in Oakland, California has stood the test of time for more than seven decades. Known for its legendary pies, Southern hospitality, and soul-satisfying meals, Lois the Pie Queen is more than a restaurant—it is a living piece of Black history.

Founded in 1951 by Lois Davis and her husband Roland, the restaurant began in Berkeley before eventually settling into its current Oakland location. What started as a family dream grew into one of California's most beloved Black-owned dining establishments. Today, many consider Lois the Pie Queen to be among the oldest continuously operating Black-owned restaurants in California.

Lois Davis earned her nickname honestly. Long before opening the restaurant, she learned the art of baking from her mother, Mathilda Cleveland. Her pies quickly became famous throughout church communities and fundraising events. The reputation of those delicious homemade pies became so well-known that her husband affectionately named both her and the restaurant "Lois the Pie Queen."

But Lois offered much more than pie.

Customers flocked to the restaurant for classic Southern comfort food including chicken and waffles, short ribs, candied yams, black-eyed peas, cornbread muffins, peach cobbler, sweet potato pie, biscuits, and creamy grits. Every meal reflected the warmth and tradition of a family kitchen where food was prepared with care and served with love.

Over the years, Lois the Pie Queen became a gathering place for generations of families, community leaders, entertainers, athletes, and politicians. The restaurant's walls tell the story through photographs and memories of notable visitors who stopped by for a taste of authentic soul food and genuine hospitality. Even current leaders and public figures have made the restaurant a favorite stop when visiting Oakland.

Lois passed away in 1993 after battling cancer, but her legacy never left the building. Today, her son Chris Davis continues the family tradition, preserving the values and recipes that made the restaurant famous while preparing the next generation to carry the torch forward. The restaurant remains a symbol of Black entrepreneurship, resilience, and family legacy.

In February 2025, local media highlighted Lois the Pie Queen as one of Northern California's oldest Black-owned restaurants and noted efforts to recognize the establishment for its historical significance. That recognition is well deserved. For more than 70 years, this restaurant has nourished both the bodies and spirits of its community.

For those who believe in supporting Black-owned businesses, Lois the Pie Queen offers something special: a chance to experience living history. Every slice of pie, every biscuit, and every warm greeting represents decades of perseverance, family sacrifice, and community service.

At The Original Black Wall Street, we celebrate businesses that create generational impact. Lois the Pie Queen is a shining example of what happens when faith, family, hard work, and excellent food come together.

Long live the Queen.

Lois the Pie Queen 851 60th Street Oakland, California 94608 Phone: (510) 658-5616