Their Story: Brass House Austin was conceived by Jason White while operating in a combat zone with the United States Marine Corps. He dreamed of moving to Austin and opening […]
Don’s Specialty Meats: Boudin & Cracklin
Since 1993 Don’s Specialty Meats in Carencro, LA has been making the same great homemade and hand made boudin, voted “best” 5 years in row, and cracklins that are ubiquitously known as South […]
PRIESTERS PECANS
Priesters Pecans is a family-owned company specializing in delicious old-fashioned, farm fresh gifts like pecan desserts, pecan candies, pecan pies, cakes, and bulk pecans. As pecan suppliers and candy makers for over 7 decades, our Gourmet Pecan Pies, Gift Tins, Baskets and Candies have delighted countless families.
Priesters Pecans is definitely a “must stop” when traveling in to Alabama. It’s is located in Fort Deposit, Alabama about 35 miles south of Montgomery and is great rest stop to stretch your legs, let the dogs out (if traveling with pets) and take advantage of a clean restroom!
Priesters Pecans was decked out and ready for the holidays during our visit. I could literally have spent all day and all my money in this place. There is a little something for everyone from the Auburn fans to the wine and candy lovers in your life. A great place to souvenir shop for your loved ones, there are some truly fun and unique gifts here.. but of course the true stars are the pecans!
Priesters Pecans offers samples of each of their amazing flavored pecans and that certainly helped with making a choice–actually it made it harder. I will tell you that the Key Lime pecans are like nothing I have ever tasted. That sour from the lime, sweet from the sugar and salt from the pecan hit each spot on my tongue making for an awesome palate pleaser.
Everything is perfectly placed at Priesters Pecans, making it hard to not want to touch stuff..but I’m always touching stuff, smelling stuff and eating stuff — obviously! The Jelly Beans were a little pricey (2.25 per 1/4lb) so I passed on those and got things that I can’t find at home like tropical necco wafers and soft, banana flavored now-n-laters …It’s the little things that make life special.
Priesters Pecans also adds some education to your visit. They offer a tour of their gallery where you are able to see the pecans and many other items being made by the staff. Very clean candy cooking quarters. All the staff seemed to be buzzing busily about covering pecans, filling pies and piping divinity. It has to be weird to look up and see people watching you.
The viewing gallery appears to be the longest hallway ever from this angle. With glass along the walls you are allowed a sneak peak to the various kitchen areas. The walls are laced with history, from stories about the Pecans to the burning down of the factory in the 1996.
In addition to the awesome “chotchkies” the best part is upstairs on the second floor where you can actually see all the pecans, cookies, pies and other delectable items being made. Oh, that is also were the clearance section is!
Such a great experience and an awesome place to take the kiddos, they will love the gallery tour. The workers will probably be more receptive to kids looking down at them from the glass than the two adults that were looking and waving at them during my visit.
Read more about the history of Priesters Pecans Here! Make sure to check out their gift section also..hint hint.
Magpie Cafe | Places to visit in Baton Rouge, LA
During a recent road trip to Alabama, my mother and I visited Magpie Cafe. We’d initially read about this quaint little espresso coffee bar on yelp. Magpie Cafe features seasonal, locally-sourced, organic baked goods and lunch offerings. They also offer free WiFi! We highly suggest you add it to your list of places to visit in Baton Rouge, LA.
Magpie is a popular hangout for LSU students. The free WiFi and their local and organic sweet treats, chocolate bars and juices are an easy draw.
I get my sweet tooth from my mom. I can always count on her to get “dessert for the road”. So when she returned to the table with a cookie, I wasn’t surprised. But what did surprise me was when she returned to our table with a Paleo cookie. I laughed as she bit into it, knowing she had not a clue what “Paleo” meant. It wasn’t until hours later that she realized Paleo wasn’t a flavor, or baking method but a diet. HILARIOUS!!
In addition to coffee, other items like fancy chocolates, organic oat bars, coffee cakes and cookies can be found along the self-service counter. The Askinosie Chocolate was new to me. I’d never heard of it before and in doing a bit of research, learned that Askinosie sources their cocoa beans from farmers in the Philippines, Ecuador, Tanzania and the Amazon. Paying the cocoa farmers significantly above the per-ton Fair Trade market price for their cocoa beans. In addition to the pay rate Askinosie profit shares with these farmers. At the end of the selling cycle the farmers are paid directly in cash! That is a great story and led me to purchasing a few bars.
Learn more by watching the video below.
Askinosie Chocolate Bars
THE FOOD
You won’t find any printed menus at Magpie Cafe. Just chalkboards lined with the daily lunch and breakfast specials. All of the food items are made fresh in house, and once they’re gone they’re gone. The line was a bit long, but I quickly realized that there were only two ladies taking food orders and serving, and one barista fulfilling all the coffee orders. They were feverishly working to ensure everyone received their order in good time.We ordered the white bean salad and the house panini. The salad was fresh and perfectly dressed with a house made citrus vinaigrette. The ham and apple butter panini was off the chain. The avocado was my own addition. I am known for carrying avocados in my purse.
Magpie also offers fresh seasonal coffees and teas. I had to try their pumpkin spiced latte and hibiscus tea. Both were better than what you’d get at Starbucks!
CLOSING
We highly suggest Magpie Cafe during your next trip down I-10 from Houston. The coffee is great and the service is even better. It’s an awesome place to stretch your legs and full your bag with their delicious assortment of seasonal, locally-sourced, organic baked goods.
Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill | Austin Moonshine | Things to do in Austin, Tx
Steeped in Austin, Texas’ historic Waterloo Compound, Moonshine serves up innovative down-home cooking in a casual atmosphere. It’s one of the only places I visit for delicious Austin Moonshine! On a […]