Pie Heaven
Oxbow Bakery & Antiques
By Dana Goolsby
PALESTINE- Texas born humorist Jack Handy once said, “When you die, if you get a choice between going to regular heaven or pie heaven, choose pie heaven. It might be a trick, but if it’s not, mmmmmmmm, boy.” But you don’t have to wait until you die to go to “pie heaven.” Tucked away in Historic Old Town Palestine you will find a perfect little pie shop nestled in an antique parlor capable of transporting your senses to a state of euphoria. Oxbow Bakery & Antiques is serving up hearty lunches and heavenly pies, with a side of nostalgia.
Oxbow Bakery & Antiques, located at 215 E. Crawford St., is the heart of Old Town. David Wolfe and his Mother Becky the proprietors, have poured their hearts into the quaint bakery and antique mall, and in turn have become the pulse of vibe that beckons to tourists and foodies everywhere.
Old Town has long since been a center of business and industrial activity in Palestine, with commerce dating back to the days when Native Americans bartered and traded along the creek which runs through Old Town, to later in life as a thriving cotton gin operation.
Though times have changed, Old Town has managed to embrace its history. Many of the buildings standing today date back to the early 1900s and are in use as businesses. Oxbow Bakery & Antiques is located in a building which originally served as a mule barn during the days when Old Town was predominately a cotton gin operation.
Upon walking into Oxbow customers are met with a menagerie of antiques and the smell of homemade goodness. Shortly after customers are greeted by David or Becky, who are always pleasant and make everyone feel right at home.
Make your way to the counter and place your order. During the winter months lunch specials include Texas Goulash, Frito Pie, Tortilla Soup, Pinto Beans and Mexican Cornbread just name a few. During the warmer month Oxbow features several sandwiches on their menu. Check the Oxbow Bakery & Antiques Facebook page to find out what’s on the menu today!
After placing your order you can take a seat inside or on the porch. I like to sit inside and admire the antiques while I enjoy my lunch, especially during the winter months, but the porch is particularly nice on warm afternoons.
Customers can browse the antique portion of the store while waiting for your lunch or pie. The consignments booths are filled to the brim with interesting collectibles and art.
Don’t forget to save room for pie!
If you visit Oxbow Bakery & Antiques before the lunch rush you can have your pick of any pie in the case. If you get there right at noon, I advise ordering your slice of pie along with your meal to ensure you get the flavor you are craving. On any given day pie lovers could descend on the Oxbow and pick the pie case bare before you know it!
David and Becky rise and shine early to fill the pie case and start lunch. Mrs. Wolfe makes the pie filling and David makes the crusts. A winning combination of culinary efforts sure to wow your taste buds with taste that won’t soon be forgotten.
As someone who has grown up in the south, where the art of southern cooking and baking is held to the highest cultural standards, it is without reservation that I say, Oxbow Bakery is home to the best pie I ever laid tongue to. That includes the pies that adorn my family’s tablescape at holidays, which is the highest compliment I could offer any chef.
Although I haven’t tried every pie David and Becky make (yet), my favorites include:
Banana Blueberry Pie- This pie is almost indescribable. The graham cracker crust is the perfect consistency, topped with sliced bananas. The sliced bananas are topped with the most perfect banana pudding filling, which is topped with cream and blueberries. Each layer offers explosive flavors and the combination is sure awaken your senses.
Buttermilk Pie- Long since an East Texas favorite, the buttermilk pie is always baked to perfection at Oxbow Bakery & Antiques. The filling is sweet and creamy, and goes great with coffee. Baking a good buttermilk pie can be tricky, but the Wolfes have conquered the recipe.
Chocolate Meringue Pie- Very few folks can or will turn down chocolate meringue pie. And with meringue standing three inches high atop David and Becky’s chocolate pie you won’t want to pass on this one. A hot cup of coffee is the perfect to side to this sweet dish.
The Pineapple Meringue Pie is said to be one of the best on the menu. But you better get there early if you want to savor a slice of this pie. The pineapple meringue is in high demand, and doesn’t last long!
If you’re lucky, then you will visit Oxbow Bakery & Antiques on a day that Becky has whipped up one of her famous red velvet cakes. My first red velvet experience from Oxbow came this past fall when Becky generously donated a red velvet cake to the cast of “The Red Velvet Cake War” to enjoy backstage at the Texas Theatre, and one for an auction to help raise money for future renovations. Becky’s red velvet cake raked in over $1,000! The cream cheese icing is worth $1,000 alone!
Oxbow Bakery & Antiques is a sweet spot in Palestine. The Oxbow is more than an eatery or an antique shop, it is a true East Texas experience. Don’t leave Palestine without having a slice of pie from Oxbow Bakery & Antiques in Old Town!
Oxbow is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9a.m. to 5p.m.
Call ahead and order your pie at (903) 723-5100!
Learn more about Oxbow Bakery & Antiques by connecting with them via social media.
Like Oxbow Bakery and Antiques on Facebook!
Follow Oxbow Bakery and Antiques on Instagram @OxbowPies.
and follow Oxbow Bakery and Antiques on Twitter at @OxbowPies!