Czech it out

You'll feel as if you're in Europe at this Texas bakery.

This place will change your life," declared my Young blond coworker Jennifer as she pulled off 1-35.

"Where are we?" I muttered, cranky from being rudely awakened.

Jennifer looked at me with the pity she reserves for her elderly friends (older than 30). "We are in the town of West, Texas," she said slowly. "We are at a Shell service station. But it's also a Czechoslovakian bakery called the Czech Stop."

I sauntered inside-and found nirvana. There were freshly baked goods everywhere. Breads, cookies, pies, cakes. And trays and trays of these pastry/doughnut/puffy things.

"Behold, kolaches," said Jennifer.

I pressed my nose against the glass cases, almost drooling over the cream cheese-filled pillows. Jennifer picked a sausage-and-kraut-filled doughy delight. Before we were done, we ended up with three boxes full. We bought kolaches stuffed with cherry, peach, apple, and apricot. Jennifer couldn't turn down a giant to-go cup with a dancing Czech on the front. There were even T-shirts.

"We must tell everyone about this place," I rhapsodized as we drove away. "It will change their lives."

Jennifer smiled. Another person addicted to Exit 353, home of the Czech Stop.

WANDA MCKINNEY

Czech Stop: 105 North College, West, TX 76691; (254) 826-5316. *

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Nov 2002
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