ALLENTOWN, Pa. — You don't have to be a mathematician to count these savings on Pi Day.
March 14, commonly known as Pi Day, celebrates the mathematical calculation that begins with 3.14.
According to History.com, the national holiday was invented in 1988 by Larry Shaw, a physicist who wanted to celebrate the first three digits of pi (3.14) and the date that also is Albert Einstein's birthday.
While the day is trendy in math and science communities, it's also a day for those seeking great deals on the homonym for pi — pie: baked pies, pizza pies and other circular snacks and treats.
Any way you slice it, Pi Day is a good excuse to chow down on your favorite pie, including pizza.
Check out this list of newsroom staff recommendations on the best pizza in the Lehigh Valley.
There also are plenty of other sweet deals happening at these national chains (the savings are available on March 14 only).
Plus, we've rounded up some spots to find the tastiest dessert pies in the region.
Anthony's, DoorDash
Anthony's Coal Fire Pizza & Wings (750 N. Krocks Road, Allentown) is offering 31.4% off a large pizza during dine-in hours on Friday. Dining hours are 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For more information, call 610-816-5722.
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (665 N. Knocks Road, Allentown) purchase any full-size Pizookie and get a second one for just $3.14.
For information, visit the restaurant's website.
Pizza Hut, Taco Bell
Pizza Hut is introducing its new pizza charcuterie board on Pi Day.
The deal: For $24.99, you get two medium pizzas, eight boneless wings, and breadsticks with dipping sauces.
To order online, visit PizzaHut.com.
While there is a no pie at the fast-food Tex-Mex spot, Taco Bell is selling its Mexican pizza for $.3.14.
For participating restaurants, visit TacoBell.com.
For grab-and-go grub,7-Elevenis selling whole pizzas for $3.14. Options available include ultimate pepperoni, cheese, or their new supreme flavor (with pepperoni, sausage, bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms).
For locations, visit its website.
Perkins, where to find the tastiest pies
Customers who visit Perkins restaurants on Pi Day can get a free slice of pie with any entrée purchase.
The restaurant, with four locations in the Lehigh Valley, offers flavors such as banana cream pie, homestyle apple pie, and chocolate French silk pie.
For Perkins location, visit the website.
Where is the best pie?
Dessert-lovers, rejoice!
There are local bakeries whipping up tasty treats on Pi Day.
The Buttered Crumb (6937 Route 309, New Tripoli) bakes some of the best pies in the region using fresh ingredients.
There crumb pies (apple, blueberry, cherry, triple berry, strawberry rhubarb and raisin) cost $9, while the custard varieties (bing cherry, black raspberry, blueberry, coconut, lemon sponge, pumpkin, red raspberry) are $15.
It also makes apple tart, funny cake, pecan and shoofly pies.
For more information, visit the Buttered Crumb website.
Egypt Star Bakery
A local favorite, Egypt Star Bakery, first opened its flagship store in Coplay in the 1930s.
Today, there are four locations in the Lehigh Valley, including in Allentown, Whitehall and Emmaus.
Known for traditional recipes, the bakery offers seasonal favorites like blueberry cherry, apple and pumpkin pies.
Small pies cost $4.40 and large versions are $12.50.
For locations, visit the bakery's website.
Flour Shop
Locals flock to the Flour Shop (2980 Linden St., Bethlehem) for its flaky crusts and generous fillings.
Popular flavors include classic apple and berry pies.
It also rotates ingredients by season, so there's also something different to order.
For the complete menu, visit the bake shop's website.
Pie + Tart
Pie + Tart (444 Northampton St., Easton) bakes gourmet pies using locally sourced ingredients.
On Pi Day, the bakery will sell individual pie slices for $3.14 and a lunch box for $10 (lunch includes chicken pot pie and two lovely Irish-y sides such as mashed potatoes with scallions and mushy peas).
The artisanal shop offers traditional pie flavors such as key lime pie, coconut cream pie and unique versions, including Mexican chocolate pie and cannoli pie.
For more information or to pre-order, visit Pie + Tart's website.
