SnackTime With Jen— Hot Pockets, October 25th

Welcome to my newest feature, SnackTime With Jen. This midweek morsel is a small taste of something fun. Topics range from food (of course) to fashion, amusing little discoveries both locally and abroad, and a variety of interesting intel too tempting not to share. So let’s get snacking…

Tucked neatly into their brunch menu, Forthright Cafe in Austin, Texas offers a variety of drool-worthy dishes including a Brunch Burger consisting of two smashburger patties with bacon bourbon jam, melted American cheese and a fried egg, a serious Brunch Burrito with sausage, a scrambled egg, and cheddar cheese, and a super hearty plate of Chicken & Waffles that sports two pieces of crispy, boneless fried chicken, smooth maple butter, pecans, maple syrup, and a pretty dusting of powdered sugar on top. And while that all sounds delish (I can personally attest to the burger that was insane!), the real reason to drop by is to stock up on their Homemade Pop Tarts.

When I visited, the flavor of the week was a scrumptious seasonal Fresh Strawberry. And when you see this ordinary looking four by four pastry emerge from the kitchen, you’ll have no earthly idea that a warm square of light, flaky dough could completely blow your mind. But lemme just tell ya… it sure as Texas can. Unlike typical toaster strudels that faithfully have dry, stale, cakey crusts and squirt a synthetic gel filling into the middle, this Pop Tart has just the right amount of smushy fruit compote that isn’t too sugary but it’s definitely fruit forward. The outer crust is fork tender and impossibly buttery while the gorgeous glaze dribbled over the top is the perfect complement to bring the whole handheld harmoniously together. It’s not more than a six-bite situation so make sure that you savor each mouthful.

I can certainly understand why this Austin favorite is packed at all hours and that each table, wise to the Tarts, orders a big go-box stacked with these tasty take home treats that travel well. I’m kicking myself for not stocking up on those fruity hot pockets before my flight back to New York! Jen’s Little Black Book hates to be tarty to any party, but if you’re bringing Pop Tarts from Forthright Cafe to my house, all y’all are welcome in whenever you arrive.