Photo of the Week: Czech Goodies in Texas

This photo was taken at Weikel’s Bakery (“We Gotcha Kolache”) in La Grange – it’s a Czech stronghold in central Texas.

Many Czechs and Germans settled in this part of the state starting in the 1840s and 1850s; that’s why sausage is a big deal with our BBQ,  Spoetzl Brewery’s Shiner beer is popular, there are active Texas polka radio stations and you can find kolaches (a fruit or cheese-filled Czech pastry) in a small town between Austin and Houston.

At the bakery, each of us had a pig-in-a-blanket (a sausage wrapped in bread) that was quite yummy, then everyone picked out a pastry choice.  I regret not grabbing one of the delish-looking pecan bars while I had a chance, though my pecan-studded Rice Krispie treat was just fine.

Many of you may remember the town of La Grange from both the ZZ Top song and because it was the home of the Chicken Ranch brothel, subject of the musical “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”

My teen and I laughed over that story, but I didn’t share it with my 8-year-old son.

The Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center is in La Grange, and there is a Czech heritage celebration every May that closes with a polka Mass.