What kind of food does Kerlaches serve?

Kerlaches serves savory, scratch-made kolache-style sandwiches (klobásníky) stuffed with oak-smoked Texas barbecue meats and a secret original dough recipe. They also feature in-house smoked meats and vegetables pickled from their own garden.

Where are the Kerlaches food trucks located?

Kerlaches operates two food truck locations in Austin. The East Austin location is at 2505 Webberville Rd, and the South Austin location is at 7800 S 1st St (inside the Thicket Food Park).

Who started Kerlaches and what is the history behind it?

Kerlaches was founded by Bill and Amelis Paz-Kerlin, who previously owned Kerlin BBQ in East Austin for nearly 10 years. Amelis, who was born in Venezuela, was inspired to create the concept after trying her first kolache on a Texas road trip and noticing its similarity to Venezuelan cachitos.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Kerlaches in Austin

Kerlaches

Taste a unique Texas-Czech fusion at Kerlaches, an Austin food truck serving savory, scratch-made kolaches stuffed with oak-smoked Texas barbecue, wrapped in a secret dough recipe crafted by the former owners of Kerlin BBQ.

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What are the hours of operation for the East Austin and South Austin locations?

The East Austin location is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Saturday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM. The South Austin location is open Thursday and Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

What to know

Kerlaches is a celebrated Austin food truck concept born from the legacy of Kerlin BBQ, a highly-rated East Austin barbecue establishment previously run by husband-and-wife team Bill Kerlin and Amelis Paz-Kerlin. After operating their acclaimed barbecue trailer for nearly ten years, the couple decided to close it to focus exclusively on their booming kolache spin-off. This transition, which began as a dedicated spin-off business in April 2022, led to the opening of two dedicated food trucks in East and South Austin, specializing in savory, barbecue-stuffed kolaches, also known in food media as klobasniky. The inspiration for the concept came when Venezuelan-born Amelis Paz-Kerlin tried her first meat-filled kolache at a Texas donut shop during a Central Texas road trip. The pastry immediately reminded her of Venezuelan cachitos. Drawing on cooking principles learned from her grandmother, Amelis began experimenting with using Kerlin BBQ leftovers to create her own kolaches. She developed a secret dough recipe that, when stuffed with oak-smoked meats, consistently sold out at their original barbecue location behind a Shell gas station on East Cesar Chavez Street. Today, these savory creations—officially dubbed Kerlaches as a play on the couple's surname—are crafted with real oak-smoked Texas barbecue and served alongside vegetables pickled directly from their own garden. The business operates two primary food truck locations. The East Austin truck is located at 2505 Webberville Road, while the South Austin truck serves hungry patrons at Thicket Food Park on South First Street. Visitors can enjoy these scratch-made pastries during their daytime operating hours throughout the week.

Visitor tips

Check the location-specific hours, as the East Austin truck opens earlier on weekdays (8:00 AM) than the South Austin truck (9:00 AM).
Visit the South Austin food truck at Thicket Food Park on South First Street to enjoy your meal in a community garden setting.
Arrive early in the day, as these popular barbecue-stuffed kolaches have a history of selling out quickly.

Nearby context

Located in the vibrant food scenes of East and South Austin, Kerlaches sits alongside other popular local eateries. Depending on which truck you visit, you might find yourself exploring the creative, bohemian streets of East Austin or relaxing at the family-friendly Thicket Food Park in South Austin. While grabbing a bite, you can also check out nearby culinary favorites like Il Saporis and Sonora Hot Dog to complete your local Austin food tour.