Of course, everything happens in baby steps and over a longer period of time than one would hope for.  Like the long awaited opening of 'The Big Kolache' at South Congress and Oltorf.  For months, the sign hung with care outside an empty shop, but on the third day of business, I happened across it when it finally was open - and quickly re-routed my plans to get a taste of one of Texas' true tastes.

The store was fairly bright, with freshly painted walls in crisp yellow and orange - a nice change of pace from most stagnant white environments.  A couple of chairs and tables could be added to flesh out the environment, but I'm sure those will come in due time.

I met Steve, the owner, who was as happy as I am the doors finally were open.  I greedily looked over the selections they offered, and ordered up a sausage, cream cheese and apricot kolache.  After waiting for my sausage kolache to heat, I made some small talk and wished Steve well on his endeavor. 

The kolaches were darned good, tasty and filling.  It seems a Texas kolache needs some meat, but I'm always a sucker for the fruit and cream cheese varieties, partially because of my upbringing eating fresh pastries from Polish bakeries in Schenectady, New York. 

The sausage kolache was smooth, just flaky enough, and the sausage tasted great.  The cream cheese was my favorite - but the apricot didn't disappoint either.  The next day Laura and I headed back to the shop - and alongside the chocolate cream cheese I tried out the pepperoni pizza variety - spicy and made my taste buds scream for more. 

I've got a new haunt in South Austin, and they serve up some fine kolaches.

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