Review: Czech Stop Kolaches

 

 

So, this weekend, my mom and dad decided to take me and my sister with them on a quick out of town trip to celebrate my mom’s birthday. (We offered to take my brother, but apparently he couldn’t go. And we did take Weston because he goes everywhere with me at this point in time.) It’s been a LONG time since the four of us have gone any kind of trip together . . . probably since before I got married, so close to eight years ago. But growing up we did it a lot. My brother is ten years older than I am so by the time I was 8 or 9, he was already living his own life.

The trip we took this weekend is one we took frequently growing up. We left the DFW metroplex and headed south. We stopped in West, Texas at the Czech stop. My family has been visiting this little nothing gas station for as long as I can remember . . . and although, my general principle is to not eat anything that is sold out of a gas station (at least if it isn’t prepackaged), this is the one exception to that rule.

You see, my grandfather was 100% Czech and while a lot of the culture died somewhere along the way . . . a couple of things remain – Kielbasa and Kolaches. Kielbasa is spicy sausage usually served with fried potatoes or rice and diced onions and bell peppers. Kolaches are pastries filled with anything from fruit to meat that are served both warm and cold. Both of these items can be found at the Czech Stop.

Because my dad is on some ridiculous diet that doesn’t allow for sugar or flour – which I’m pretty sure are my two favorite food groups – my sister and I were the only two to get any kolaches. These traditional pastries cost $.99 each and are made fresh every day in the bakery that inhabits the second half of the building. All of the flavors are great (except I’ve never tried prune) and we always get them heated up.

So if you ever find yourself on I-35 between Dallas and Waco, stop and try out the Czech Stop. You won’t be sorry.