OUR STORY
No doubt, Texas is filled with hidden gems. It just takes a matter of knowing where to find them in order to indulge. If by chance you’re traveling by way of Highway 59 or perhaps by way of Interstate 10, the heavenly scent of ‘made from scratch’ kolaches will lure anyone into Prasek’s Hillje Smokehouse.
On October 1, 1974 Mike and Betty Jo Prasek purchased Hillje Grocery, which was a typical small town grocery store that included a meat market, a saloon, and a feed store. This venture was the conception of Prasek's Hillje Smokehouse. Mike's parents, Adolph and Allyne Prasek, were in the grocery business while Mike was growing up, so this was a natural place for him. The Prasek's desire and the help of many friends and loyal customers has been the driving force behind the growth and success of the business. Betty Jo and Allyne ran the grocery store and meat market by day and once Mike got off from his primary job, he ran the meat market and saloon by night.
After being in the business for a few months, the Prasek’s began to notice the inconsistency of the sausage they were purchasing. This led to the idea of producing their first smoked product, Pork & Beef Sausage, using a family recipe that dates back to the late 1800s. Initially, 50 pounds of sausage was made in their meat market every other week. The production has increased a bit since then to thousands of pounds per week, but the same quality is still stressed with each batch of sausage produced at Prasek's.
As time progressed, beef jerky was added to the line of smoked meats. Story has it that the Prasek family was "burned out" on eating round steak. Betty Jo had exhausted every round steak recipe known to the household cook. You are probably wondering, "What is the deal with round steak?" A hindquarter of beef reaps a substantial number of round steaks in relation to other cuts of meat causing an abundance of round steaks in the meat market which is why they would always end up on the Prasek's dinner table. This should explain the "burn out." Now, you are probably asking, "What does all this have to do with beef jerky?" The round steak makes excellent jerky so this was a perfect solution to the problem and in hindsight, the Prasek’s can consider this the best problem they ever had. Since then, the Beef Jerky has become one of the top sellers of all the smoked meats receiving many accolades and has been rated number one by several fine foods magazines and food connoisseurs. It’s even traveled to space!
As time went on, the hometown folks as well as commuters of Highway 59 patronized Hillje Grocery. In the late 70's, Mike and Betty Jo were thrown a curve ball when Highway 59 was made into four-lanes and the bypass curved around the store location. They already had plans to build a new store on the new highway but finding the funds to do it was a problem. The Prasek's have said they never knew that it took money to borrow money but after enough persistence and great friends, the new store became a reality. Land purchased from Betty Jo's parents, R.J. and Betty Strnadel, provided a perfect location less than a mile from the old store.
On March 1, 1981, Prasek's Hillje Smokehouse opened on the corner of Highway 59 and Strnadel Road. The store was a typical convenience store with a bit more. Luncheon meat and fresh Bar B Que were added to the existing fresh meat market and smoked items. The bakery was started in 1981 when Mike and Betty Jo's son, Mike Jr., needed braces on his teeth. To help finance the expense, Betty Jo started baking and selling strudels and after burning up two or three ovens in the family trailer house, they decided to add a bakery in the store. From then forward, Prasek's Hillje Smokehouse was in the bakery business. Each morning starting about 4:00 a.m., Betty Jo would bake from scratch a variety of products that became favorites of all the customers.
To facilitate the growth of the business, several additions to the building and the staff were made throughout the years with the help of family and friends. In 1986 Prasek's Hillje Smokehouse implemented State Inspection of the smoked meat processing area and began to wholesale the sausage products. Direct Store Delivery and Brenham Wholesale Company were the first means of distribution. In 1993, the first official mail order brochure was printed and the mail order part of the business began full swing.
The year 1997 brought forth the addition of R.J.M. Distributing who distributed exclusively for Prasek's Hillje Smokehouse. On October 1, 2004, Prasek's Hillje Smokehouse purchased R.J.M. Distributing and formed Prasek's Distributing, LLC. Prasek's Distributing at the time was servicing over 400 accounts where numerous smoke meat products are used and sold.
Just as the momentum of the store growth was picking up, the family suffered a devastating blow. On November 1, 2002 the Prasek family said goodbye to matriarch, Betty Jo Prasek. Strong in faith and with deep love for her family, she instilled the values that she lived by in her children. Now they, along with their father and spouses, continue to run the family owned operation to this day.
Prasek's Hillje Smokehouse experienced steady growth for the years to come. It is still family owned and is one of the largest employers in Wharton County with nearly 200 employees. The current site in Hillje still has a small part of the original 40x60 store building in this location, but has been added on to over 12 times. The original structure had no air conditioning. It had only a few fans. It was heated by a pot-bellied stove as well as one gas stove. It has truly become a landmark in the community. With 117 different smoked meat items, more than 100 different fresh baked bakery items, a specialty meat market, a dine in restaurant, specialty food items, and all types of convenience items, Prasek's Hillje Smokehouse is a one stop shop for anything you may need in the line of food. Wholesale distribution has grown dramatically while the mail order business has steadily increased over the years. Every effort is made to provide the best quality products for the consumer. At Prasek's Hillje Smokehouse, we realize the customers are attributable for the success we have experienced over the years, and for that we offer them a GREAT BIG THANKS.
