Which Thanksgiving pie do you serve: pumpkin or sweet potato? There’s a rich history behind both

Are you serving pumpkin or sweet potato pie this Thanksgiving? A look at the history and cultural ties that influence why Americans may prefer one or the other.
They’re both orange.

They’re both sweet with a bit of spice.

But for Americans on Thanksgiving, the meal isn’t done until they dig into a slice of pumpkin or sweet potato pie — and for many, there’s no room for both.

At Ol’ Henry Restaurant in suburban St. Louis, opinions are strong.

“Sweet potato pie. Definitely,” says owner Ada Joyce Taylor.

“Sweet potato pie, because I'm looking for that sweetness in a pie,” says Taylor’s granddaughter and operational manager Audrianna Black.

Taylor started the soul food business almost 10 years ago, naming it after her late husband, Henry Edward Taylor. Today the walls are lined with signed photos and memorabilia, and it’s a well-known destination for those craving sweet potato pie.

“On a normal week, I would say that we go through 15 to 20 sweet potato pies,” says Chef Tracy Stevenson. “During the holiday, I would say 40 or 50.