I’ve only received kolaches from two places: my high school’s cafeteria and the frozen food section at H-E-B. Clearly, I am not well adept in the authentic kolache arena. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed those kolaches, but I never knew what I was missing out on—until I went to Dignowity Kolaches, thanks to a tip from @karmacandlemakers.
Dignowity Kolaches is an unassuming building placed on the corner of Houston and Olive St. in the Eastside’s Dignowity Hill. Within their tiny confines are two small tables and an assortment of kolaches and klobasneks. After a quick Google search, I learned that kolaches are fruit-filled and klobasneks are meat-filled. For us Texans, they are one in the same.
I was already told that ordering Dignowity Kolache’s famous barbacoa kolache was a must. And after the first bite, there is no mistaking why this kolache is so popular. Their barbacoa kolache represents everything San Antonio. The savory barbacoa is surrounded by a fluffy pillow of dough. The meaty texture and delicate breading go hand in hand, especially when paired with their homemade salsa and of course, a Big Red.
The second kolache I tried was a classic sausage and cheese. Smaller than its barbacoa counterpart, it still has the same plush dough, but with the bonus of cheese. This kolache had me stepping away from the frozen food section and moving on to better—and tastier—pastures.
But the best part about Dignowity Kolaches wasn’t even the kolaches, it was the homely atmosphere that owners and sisters Silvia and Lupita created. Throughout my visit, customers flowed in and out of the tiny building. Some regulars and some new, but all received warm hellos and friendly conversation from Silvia, who stood behind the counter. I witnessed her ask a customer’s opinion about Dignowity Kolaches’ hours of operation and let a local graphic designer add his business card to the growing collection on their corkboard. Silvia even took the time to show me the locally-made products she had on display, from Southern Grit’s barbecue sauce to Deep River Specialty Food’s mustard to Karma Candle Makers’ candles.
When I left Dignowity Kolaches, I did not feel like I was leaving a business. I felt like I was leaving the home of a friendly neighbor after sharing a delicious breakfast in her kitchen—a kitchen where the kolaches are made with love.
Dignowity Kolaches is open from Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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