Roadside Americana - Berdoll's Pecan Pie Vending Machine
Team Hall & Nass and #Motorama LIVE usually provide you scenes of motorsports HOONishness and automotive reviews, but we though we'd try something different. We're about to serve you up a slice of classic Roadside Americana from deep within the heart of Texas! This project took us to Berdoll's Pecan Farm, which serves up entire homemade pecan pies from a vending machine. That's right! An entire pie. From a vending machine!
The inspiration for this project came while reading the August 2013 issue of Hot Rod Magazine. As we perused their list of Top 57 Gearhead Destinations, one of the most unique roadside attractions listed was a pecan pie vending machine. The article stated: In Cedar Creek, Texas, you can buy an entire pecan pie from a vending machine. An entire pie. From a vending machine!
Armed with this information, and a GoPro, we saddled up an appropriately Texas-sized vehicle for our trek across the Lone Star State in the latest Cowboy Cadillac, a 2013 Ford F-350 Platinum Super Duty (as seen in the background of this video), and set off on a journey that took us across the vast, flat prairies, slightly beyond the boundaries of Texas Hill Country. Roughly 15 miles east of Austin on Texas Highway 71, we found what could well be one of the coolest things ever placed in a coin operated dispenser.
It may be easy to drive through the Bastrop area of Cedar Creek, Texas without knowing you've passed it, but there is no missing where the Berdoll Pecan Candy & Gift Company is located. There is a giant digital sign on the westbound side of Hwy. 71 that scrolls PECANS, PECAN PIE, etc.
We located the vending machine, placed our $20 bill in the slot, selected the appropriate product number, and then watched as something magical happened. Through the looking glass, an entire pecan pie began to move forward, then dropped down into the retrieval area, followed by our .50 cents into the change cup. It was cold, it was wrapped in cellophane, and it was a thing of beauty! That's right, folks. We bought an entire fresh pecan pie from a vending machine An entire pie. From a vending machine! What more could you ask for?
Afterward, we attacked the pie with great vim and vigor. Forks flew, bites chewed, and the sweet taste of pecans in sticky, gooey goodness ensued. The verdict? It was one of the best pecan pies we've ever tasted! Even better, it came from a vending machine. Yes, it was indeed as much fun to eat as it was to purchase! Don't you love classic Roadside Americana? We certainly do!
To experience pecan pie vending bliss for yourself, visit the Berdoll Pecan Candy & Gift Company on Hwy. 71 in Cedar Creek, Texas, and don't forget to bring a fork! If you cannot make it down to Texas, but you'd like to order one of their delectable pecan treats online, visit God Bless Texas!
To read our entire article on this bit of Roadside Americana, proceed to
Be sure to let us know if you enjoy our Roadside Americana project video. If enough of you do, we may create an entire series of these as we traverse the highways and byways of North America and beyond!