VICTORIA, Texas – Victoria Texas has a long history here in the Lone Star State and is home to some old school Texas treats. Synonymous for two things in particular, the oldest deli in state and Halepaska’s Bakery.
Tom Halepaska has been at the bakery for a long time but it was his mother Ann who rose to success in the 50’s.
“If you get up early, work hard and stay late, after 45 years you’re an overnight success,” Tom said.
Tom said his mother started the business while raising eight children and still had the reputation for being one of the best bakers this side of the Brazos.
“She would bake cakes for various fundraising events and hers would always sell first,” Tom said.
In 1953, Halepaska’s Fine Cakes started spreading around the sweet stuff from their old homestead on the Refugio Highway. In 1991, they moved out of country and into the city so cookie, cakes, and confectionery would be easier to come by.
Today, some of the most popular items on the menu include bacon fritters, sausage rolls and a unique creation called the Buffalo Chip.
“And one of the all-time most popular is called a buffalo chip and it’s got various ingredients,” Tom said. “It’s one of the last things that my mom helped us get. Mixed nuts, Krispix cereal.”
Another crazy cake they’re known for is the coke cake.
“My mother-in-law always loved this recipe,” Tom said. “We were able to find out that it’s a 1937 Coca-Cola cook book published by the Coca-Cola Company. It had a coke cake in there and she always loved that.”
Now Tom relies on a dozen of bakers but the one that leads the charge is his wife Barbara. They’ve managed to keep the home fires burning since 72 and keep the oven warm for other couples celebrating marriage milestones.
“Yeah, this is their original wedding cake right here,” Barbara said. “It was one that my mother-in-law did back then. So now we’re doing their 50th wedding anniversary one also.”
So if you ever get the muchies for a some great baked goods in the Golden Crescent of our great state. Halepaska’s Bakery is a great stop on The Texas Bucket List.
“Each town should develop its own unique personality,” Tom said. “You don’t want to strive to be like your brother or anyone else. You are you and Victoria is unto itself.”