Picha's Czech American Restaurant

​Dining in West, Texas
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Don and I have traveled and eaten all over west Texas, but last June we had our first visit and dining adventure in the town of West. 

The town  of nearly 3,000 isn't even in the west part of the state. It's 20 miles from Waco in north Texas and it's known for its Czech food!

​​Finally!
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Don and I made a lunch stop at Picha's, on the way to Fort Worth. 

It was worth it.

Red Doors
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I remember loving the red doors. I took a photo of the festive set before we entered. But I have to laugh at my own memory. Where the heck were those doors? 

I guess the funny facade, with all its signage, now covers the original entrance. If I owned this restaurant, I wouldn't want to hide these beauties behind a new door.

​​Old Royal Confectionary
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Once inside, the history of the old building was clear to see. 

The building housed a confectionary, over 100 years ago. The old counter is original.

Pic From the Past

​I liked seeing the old photo, reminding me of the building's history. 

Actually it looks like there are 2 counters. Maybe one was a soda fountain. I can see the old foot railing in both new and old photos.

​Patsy Picha
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​Behind the first counter I could see a painting of the late, Patsy Picha. (pronounced PEA-ka) She and her husband Albin opened up the Czech-American restaurant in 1980. 

That's not all that old, compared to the building with it's exposed wiring and 2-blade ceiling fans... but the family recipes from Czechoslovakia, go way, way back. Luckily the Pichas had 6 kids, so the restaurant is still owned and run by family.

​Cozy and Welcoming 
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​We arrived near the end of the lunch hour, but Julie with her long braid and shorts greeted us with a big smile never made us feel rushed to eat up and get out.

Julie said she was a family friend of the Pichas. She said she'd been working at the restaurant for 6 years and she loved it. I believed her.

Watching from the Back
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​Don and I sat in the rear, near the metal walls, enjoying the atmosphere. We ordered and waited on food, watching the happy staff, chatting and carrying on as business slowed down.

One young man carried  huge "tubes" of chopped meat to kitchen from the back. I think Julie said it was for meatloaf.

The Daily Special!
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​I just had to order the daily special for $5.95! How is that even possible? 

My plate had roast beef and gravy, mashed potatoes and lima beans, packed with flavor and lots of ham.  

Sausage Plate
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​Don ordered the sausage plate that came with sauerkraut and Picha's special "Czech Fries". 

They were more like scalloped potatoes with yummy, sweet grilled onions. We were incredibly impressed with all the food and service.

​Dessert to Go
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We didn't have room for dessert, but took a couple of apple cobblers to go. Too bad  Picha's does not offer Kolaches, or we could have taken some of those to go, as well. 

West is known as the Kolache Capital of Texas, but Picha's lets the other Czech bakeries in town serve up the traditional Czech pastry. 

Heading Out
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​We grabbed our cobbler and headed towards the old doors... painted white on the inside. The sleigh bells gave a ring as we departed.

We took a quick drive around town before we got back on the road. We passed a number of bakeries and lots of reminders of the Czech influence in town. Plenty more to try on another visit, but we might have to try this one again.
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