Day Trips
The Sweet Tooth Tour of Mount Pleasant doesn't cover a lot of ground, but it does offer a variety of locally made desserts
By Gerald E. McLeod, Fri., Feb. 10, 2006
The Sweet Tooth Tour of Mount Pleasant doesn't cover a lot of ground, but it does offer a variety of locally made desserts. Explore the historic downtown business district while munching on homemade pie, cheesecakes, pastries, fudge, and pralines. You'll want to take samples to the folks back home.
The county seat of Titus County, Mount Pleasant is on I-30 about two hours east of Dallas and one hour west of Texarkana. The country roads leading into town are lined with scenic ranches and thick forests. In the spring, wildflowers blanket the countryside. In the fall, the foliage bursts into an explosion of color.
Besides being known as the sweetest town in Texas, Mount Pleasant claims to be the Trailer Manufacturing Capital of the U.S. – there are four major trailer builders in town. The community has also been named one of the "100 Best Small Towns in America" by a national publication.
I started my gastronomy tour at Laura's Cheesecake & Bakery inside Antiques & Uniques, a very large gift shop across the street from the courthouse. "There really is a Laura," Monica Walden, the cheesecake factory's owner says. "She's a school teacher in Daingerfield."
The company began in 1989 when Laura was persuaded to sell her cheesecakes made from a family recipe. Laura's cheesecakes have been featured in Southern Living and Texas Highways magazines and Neiman Marcus catalogs.
"Laura's passion was teaching, not running a bakery," Walden says. She purchased the recipes and moved the business to Mount Pleasant where her parents owned the antique mall on the town square. The business is about to celebrate its 10th year in the present location.
Laura's Cheesecakes ships more than 6,000 cakes a month around the country. Word of mouth has been the biggest factor in the bakery's continual growth. "Instead of a fruitcake, someone will send one of our cheesecakes for the holidays," Walden says. "The next thing you know we've gained a new customer."
Along with 12 flavors of cheesecake, Walden runs a small deli in the back of her mother's gift shop. At lunchtime the downtown crowd begins to line up for sandwiches, soup, or salad to go with their slice of cheesecake, gourmet cookie, or slice of traditional cake. I fell in love with the chicken salad sandwich, but Walden says the pimento cheese sandwich is pretty wonderful too.
Next I went around the corner to Butler's Pantry, 210 W. Second, to try an old favorite. Golden Gal Pralines have been around since 1988. Started up the road in Clarksville, the confectionary moved to Mount Pleasant a year ago. The golden patties are as good as ever, but are mainly available by mail order instead of next to the cash register at finer restaurants.
During the Christmas season, Butler's Pantry sends Texas pralines around the world. The rest of the year they specialize in wedding cakes, pies, and pastries. They have a freezer full of casseroles ready for the oven.
Tired and stuffed, I had to rely on Pat Adams, executive vice-president of the chamber of commerce, for a description of the other stops on the Sweet Tooth Tour. She pointed me to Second Street Gifts, 124 W. Second, for handmade fudge in several flavors.
Adams bragged about Jo's Antiques, 102 N. Jefferson, one of her favorite stops on the tour. The shop is in the oldest building in Mount Pleasant and sells candy made in the neighboring town of Sulphur Springs. "You've got to try the key lime pie at Jo's," Adams added.
By this time, I was looking for a large cup of espresso to even out the sugar high that had my head spinning. Adams recommended the Caffeine Shop on the interstate highway next to the Holiday Inn. "They have great cranberry muffins," the chamber of commerce lady volunteered.
If you're looking for a bite to eat in Northeast Texas, then Mount Pleasant is a great refueling stop. In addition to sweets, they also have great barbecue and Mexican food restaurants. Stop by on the third weekend of May for the annual Championship Outhouse Races. For more information, go by the visitor center at 1604 N. Jefferson, call 903/572-8567, or go to www.mtpleasanttx.com.
765th in a series. Day Trips, Vol. 2, a book of Day Trips 101-200, is available for $8.95, plus $3.05 for shipping, handling, and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, PO Box 33284, South Austin, TX 78704.
