Browsing by author: Rachel

On a recent trip from Austin back to the Dallas area, I had a chance to make another drive-by visit to what’s called the “Czech Stop” in West, Texas. In spite of its name, West isn’t located in west Texas but rather a bit north of Waco on the I-35 artery that shuttles travelers between Austin and the DFW Metroplex.

The Czech influence has apparently been a characteristic of West since the 1890′s when Czech settlers moved into the area (thanks, Wikipedia!) and now it’s most visible in the Czech Stop: a large gas station/bakery where locals and visitors alike flock to sample Czech goodies.

There are some oddities to be found at the Czech Stop store. Pickled pig’s feet, anyone?Slightly more appetizing are the jars of pickled eggs. Pickled pig’s feet and egg customers must love these products, because they’re both sold in massive jars!The meat cases are impressive, full of sausages and deli meats…

But the real star of the show is the bakery section: trays and trays of golden buns, gleaming kolaches and klobasnikis and jars of cookies.One might be tempted to dismiss the Czech Stop as a tourist-trap novelty, but the place is so constantly bustling, so packed with unusual goodies lining shelves and overflowing out of jars, that the experience begins to feel really authentically like a taste of a different time and culture. A true glimpse of proud Czech heritage. Next time you’re headed down I-35, heed the signs directing you off of the highway into West and sample the Czech goodies yourself!

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