Traveling to Austin just got a little tastier. The famous kolache-riddled Czech Stop in West, Texas, now has some friendly competition on the other side of the highway called Slovacek's Foods. It actually opened late last year, but we finally got a chance to stop in this week.
The story about Slovacek's [sla-VA-check] actually starts in Snook, Texas, a tiny town southwest of College Station. The company has been processing sausage and meats there since 1957. Then a few years ago, when the current real estate at Exit 353 on the west side of West became available, current owner Tim Rabroker bought it and transformed it into a Czech version of a Buc-ee's, albeit a bit smaller.
Customers can shop, fill up on gas, take the pooch out to the dog run in back and even purchase yard ornaments, maybe pick up that huge bronze pig smoker near the front doors. There are snacks, drinks, a full deli and bakery. The meats are from the processing plant in Snook and the kolaches, sticky buns and other pastries are all baked daily onsite.
Be sure to make your way back to the meat counter where there are trays of dry cured sausages, all-beef meat sticks and smoked pork. The "sweet and hot smoked pork strips" are sold in smaller packages of three or four around the store. Grab one along with a fresh loaf of bread and some cheese, which is also sold in thick slices at the deli. It all makes for a very European-ish snack in a weird small town Czech/Texas way.
Perhaps this is the southbound stop, then hit the original Czech Stop on the way back to North Texas. Two bakeries to choose from: We could have worse problems.