Texas Kolaches at the Czech Stop, West, Texas, USA

Texas Kolaches at the Czech Stop

in West, Texas, USA

When you're driving south down Interstate-35 between Dallas and Austin, Texas, you're bound to stop at the Czech Stop. This iconic Texas bakery is renowned across the country for its kolaches - a classic pastry of Czech origin that has firmly planted roots in Texan soil.

(When you are driving north, be sure to stop at Slovacek's! Kolaches at Slovacek's, West, Texas (theworldofstreetfood.com).

strawberry cream cheese kolache from the Czech Stop in West, Texas

The Czech Stop is a place where Texan hospitality meets European tradition. Known for their outstanding variety of kolaches, this culinary pit stop is a must for anyone seeking a slice of Texas' Czech heritage.

We were off on a road trip and picked up four different pastries from the Czech Stop to enjoy on our drive.

various types of Czech kolaches from the Czech Stop in West, Texas, USA

First, let's get our terminology straight—technically, what we're tasting first is a klobasnek. Originating from Central Europe, a traditional kolache is a sweet, fruit-filled pastry, whereas a klobasnek is a savory variation encasing delicious meats or cheeses. But, here in the heart of Texas, we lovingly and liberally refer to both sweet and savory versions as 'kolaches.' 

ham and cheese kolache from the Czech Stop

Now, on to our first taste—the ham and cheese kolache. Stuffed to the brim with copious amounts of tender, savory ham and oozing, melted cheese, this classic treat is a hefty meal in itself. This is a comforting, satisfying, and an all-around crowd-pleaser that you simply can't go wrong with. We were amazed and impressed with the light, fluffy pastry and the generous portion of meat and cheese stuffed inside.

strawberry and cheese kolache, Czech Stop, West, Texas

Next up was a strawberry and cheese kolache. It was sweet, slightly tart, and filling up a soft, flaky, traditional square-shaped pastry. The Czech Stop is famous for its sweet kolaches especially, and I (a lifelong Texas native) am of the opinion that they do their sweet pastries slightly better than their competitors.

sausage, jalapeño, and cheese kolache from the Czech Stop, West, Texas

The sausage, jalapeño, and cheese kolache strikes a perfect balance—it's not so spicy that it leaves your mouth in flames, but just spicy enough to leave you satisfied. And let's not forget about the sausage. It's a masterpiece on its own; a Czech-Texas specialty. When you pair this exquisite smoked sausage with fiery jalapeños and smooth, creamy cheese, you've got a pastry that will leave you extremely happy. This was probably our favorite of the lot.

We were impressed especially by the bread, which is made fresh every day at the on-site Little Czech Bakery (open from 5am until 11pm). We really couldn't believe how soft, thick, fluffy, and buttery the bread on this klobasnek was! All of the bread is made in-house, and you can even get a whole loaf of if you'd like!

 maple nut twist from the Czech Stop, West, Texas

And finally, for the sweet finale of our kolache tour, we indulged in a delectable maple nut twist. Imagine a cinnamon roll, but with a twist—a wonderful maple flavor! Each bite of this delicacy unveils a nutty, aromatic experience that is wonderfully complemented by the warm, sugary undertones of maple.

the bakery counter inside the Czech Stop in West, Texas

The Czech Stop is located in the town of West, Texas on Interstate-35 just north of Waco, Texas and directly across the highway from Slovacek's at I-35 Exit 353, West, TX 76691, United States.

The Czech Stop and Little Czech Bakery in West, Texas, USA

While the Little Czech Bakery is open every day from 5am until 11pm, the Czech Stop itself is open 24 hours, making it the perfect place to stop on a late-night drive down I-35, or for a midnight "kolache run" while on an all-nighter for a math exam you and your roommate aren't actually studying for (I know from experience...).