For those of you traveling in Texas, be sure to stop in West, Texas, the heart of the Czech community in this region.  However, West is not west.  In other words, the community of West is not in west Texas.  It’s actually in the central part of Texas and was founded in 1882.  It’s located on I-35 between Dallas-Ft. Worth and Austin.   

West is famous for its Czech Stop & Little Czech Bakery which is well known for its “kolaches” (pastry buns filled with either fruit, poppy seeds, cream cheese, or sausage) and also for its cakes, pies, cookies, breads, and fudge.  They also serve a variety of sandwiches. It was a family tradition to stop there when we were traveling to Austin for UIL competitions, and it was a very tasty tradition I might add!