In Houston’s food scene, high value is often placed on innovation, novelty and aesthetics -on the most Insta-worthy menu items, the most unique dining experience or the latest foodie fad. It is no wonder, then, that so many of the city’s oldest bakeries and dessert shops have disappeared.
Fortunately, not all of the area’s old bakeries and dessert shops are a thing of the past. Several Houston-area stalwarts have managed to keep their doors open for over half a century.
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Clearly, these long-standing locales get it right -- from simply scrumptious fresh-baked bread to decadent bavarian banana pie, there’s something delicious at each of these iconic Houston institutions.
Listed chronologically by opening date, here’s a look at the Houston-area bakeries and dessert destination still churning out delectable pastries and pies after decades in business.
Moeller’s Bakery (1930)
Brothers Gus and Raymond Moeller started the small bakery on Almeda Road back in 1930.
Houston’s oldest family-owned bakery has changed locations twice over the course of 90 years and is currently located on the south side of Bellaire Boulevard, west of Wesleyan Street. Despite nearly a century in business, the Houston institution has stuck firmly to its roots -- The bakery still uses the same oven that it used in 1942 and bakes its desserts following the recipes Gus crafted back in 1930.
Three Brothers Bakery (1949)
The iconic Three Brothers Bakery has served as a cornerstone of Houston’s Jewish community for generations. In 1945, Holcoaust survivors Sigmund, Sol and Max Jucker emigrated to Houston from Poland to start a new life. A few years later, in 1949, they opened Three Brothers Bakery on Holman Street, across from Temple Beth Israel.
Opening day wasn’t as successful as the brothers had hoped it would be -- They sold just $19 worth of product. But the brothers ventured on. They learned to make American cakes and pastries but ultimately gained distinction for their Jewish and Eastern European recipes, which included challah, rye bread and Kaiser rolls. It’s said the trio was the first to bring the bagel to Houston. They survived on Holman with one parking place for five years and in May 1955, they moved the bakery to Almeda Street at Southmore. The great parking made them successful enough to move again to South Braeswood in May, 1960, a location that remains open to this day.
In 2012 and 2014, TBB opened two more locations on Kingsride Lane near Memorial City Mall and Washington Ave. off Shepherd, respectively.
Fifth-generation Juckers own and operate Three Brothers Bakery to this day.
The Original Kolache Shoppe (1956)
This unassuming bakery in southeast Houston has proved its staying power. Opened in 1956, The Original Kolache Shoppe serves up savory and sugary treats galore: Notable mentions include klobasniky, sweet kolaches and Texas-sized croissants. This is a Houston essential, so if you’re one of the unfortunate souls yet to make the pilgrimage to this iconic Houston eatery, we’d suggest you get cracking, and feasting, ASAP.
House of Pies (1967)
House of Pies -- a concept launched in 1967, it’s where breakfast food aficionados and Houstonians battling late night cravings go to score some diner food and glorious, glorious pie. The 24-hour diner and bakery, originally founded as a franchise by Al Lapin Jr. , the same entrepreneur who started IHOP, has been a Houston institution for decades. OK, it goes without saying -- but, we’re going to say it anyway -- if, actually when, you visit House of Pies, you’ve got to order at least one slice of pie. It’s an unwritten law of the the universe and a tasty one at that. House of Pies reps a perpetually stocked dessert case packed with an assortment of pies including but definitely not limited to Texas Pecan, Bayou Goo, Bavarian Banana, French Blackbottom, Coconut Cream, Cherry, German Chocolate, Blueberry, Dutch Apple and more.
Flying Saucer Pie Company (1967)
Flying Saucer Pie Company, the beloved bakery in Houston’s Independence Heights neighborhood has proved its staying power. Opened in 1967, the Houston institution has baked thousands and thousands of pies in its time.
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Whether it was a great dessert or a special moment, share the fondest memories you’ve made at one of these longstanding Houston bakeries.