5. Weikel’s Bakery, La Grange, Texas One of the best spots to grab a kolache is at Weikel’s Bakery in La Grange (a second bakery is located in Brenham, where you’ll want to visit Blue Bell Creamery). Here you’ll find cinnamon rolls, strudel, cream cheese pound cake, pecan sandies and cookies of all kinds, plus a repertoire of more than a dozen kolaches. For those who don’t know, a kolache or kolace is a square pastry with fruit or cream cheese filling that’s popular in Czech culture. The dough of a kolache is dense and sweet. This differs from a Danish, which is lighter and flakier. The kolache is Weikel’s specialty; the shop’s motto (on the highway billboard): We got’cha Kolache. The bakery has become a traditional stopping point for many travellers on Highway 71 between Austin and Houston. Some say that this Czech bakery’s kolaches are the best in the state. This spot features at least 20 flavours of kolache and five kinds of what they call klobasniky – their term for pig-in-a-blanket. 7. La Posta De Mesilla, New Mexico Located in a 200-year-old adobe building that was a stage stop on the Butterfield Trail, La Posta is now run by Jerean Hutchinson, whose grandmother founded it in 1939. It is a southwestern culinary landmark. The most famous dish on the menu is tostadas compuestas – crisp-fried corn tortilla cups into which are ladled red chili con carne, beans, cheese, lettuce and tomato. A combo plate includes one tostada compuesta plus a chili relleno (a large cheese-stuffed, breaded and deep-fried chili pepper), a taco, and guacamole salad. Other expertly made native dishes include flautas, green chili enchiladas, sunset-hued carne adovada and steak smothered in green chili and melted cheese. No matter what you order, you will get a basket full of warm sopaipillas for mopping up every last good bit of food off of the plate. There is a magical sense of history about La Posta. The several dining rooms are loud and festive and, in the vestibule which has more plants than a tropical rain forest, you will be serenaded by squawking parrots. 6. Kloesel’s Steakhouse, Moulton, Texas South of Flatonia and Moulton on Highway 95 lies a magical land where beer is made – Shiner. To that place, two thirsty companions and a designated driver travelled. But the first grumblings of hunger appeared as we approached the little village of Moulton. It was hard to believe the locals when we were told that one of the best restaurants around was Kloesel’s Steakhouse. After some hesitation, we stopped for lunch en route to the little brewery in Shiner and gave it a shot, and what a pleasant surprise. The food was truly amazing and good value. Great atmosphere and friendly service! We have eaten here numerous times over the years and have always been impressed with their food and staff. Particularly love their chicken-fried steak – and the pistachio dessert. RV Lifestyle 22 | www.snowbirds.org
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