Americana: Bye-Bye, American Pie

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Next to Mom, there was nothing as American as apple pie. Alas, that most national of desserts is in decline. According to a survey by Restaurants & Institutions magazine, apple pie now appears on the menu at 64% of the nation's restaurants, hotels, schools and other food-serving institutions, down from 88% in 1971. Among those chefs who still dish it out, apple pie is called a "good seller" by only 57%, vs. 84% a decade ago. It is still the nation's most popular dessert, but as Editor in Chief Jane Young Wallace points out, "There is a trend toward healthy, low-cal foods. People seem to prefer fruit these days." Next time, make it apple pie, but hold the pie.