We're not going to pretend this is fiscal policy. But in a city where a one-bedroom apartment costs more than a semester of college used to, the small pleasures — a perfect slice of banana cream pie on a Tuesday afternoon — are basically a public utility. And when the supply chain breaks down, people need answers.

So here's what we know. Three Babes, the beloved Bay Area bakeshop, has temporarily pulled their banana cream pie from the lineup. No scandal, no drama, just a gap in availability that has left pie enthusiasts adrift. The free market, however, provides.

Tartine is the name that comes up immediately, and for good reason. As one local food obsessive put it, "Tartine is always solid, but get the smaller ones only. The large I find the ratio to crust gets off." This is the kind of granular, crust-to-filling intelligence you need before dropping $9 on a slice in this economy.

Beyond Tartine, the city's pie landscape is surprisingly thin for a place that prides itself on being a food capital. Mission Pie, if they're running a banana cream rotation, is worth a visit. And honestly? Devil's Teeth Bakery in the Outer Sunset has the kind of chaotic pastry energy that might yield a surprise contender.

The broader lesson here is one we preach constantly: don't let a single provider become your only option. Diversify your pie portfolio. June 18th will come eventually, Three Babes will return to glory, and the republic will endure. In the meantime, do your own research, try a few slices, and report back. Consider it civic duty.