Father-Daughter Team Bringing Flavors of the Czechia and Texas to Tavares

Cousin’s Kolaches, a new breakfast and lunch spot, is preparing to open this July at 359 E Burleigh Blvd, Tavares, FL 32778, co-owner Tara Vittoria shared with Business Debut.

Tara is launching the business with her father, Vinnie Vittoria, an entrepreneur with a background in restaurants, real estate, and car washes. In nearby Leesburg, Vinnie is known for founding Cousin Vinnie’s Chicken Wings, which Tara helped operate for several years before the business was sold to a family member.

Originally from Texas, the Vittoria family grew up eating kolaches—a Czech pastry so common in Texas that “you could find one every five miles,” Tara said. Traditionally filled with fruit or cheese, kolaches have evolved in Texas to include savory varieties filled with meat.

At Cousin’s Kolaches, customers can expect both the traditional Czech pastries and their Texan counterparts. Among Tara’s favorites are the biscuits and gravy kolache, stuffed with sausage gravy, and a smoked jalapeño sausage and cheese version.

The menu will also include traditional and gourmet donuts, breakfast burritos, parfaits, and other grab-and-go morning staples. Coffee will be available as well.

The space will offer a few tables, a bar area, and a couch for guests who choose to dine in, but the focus will be on takeout orders. The restaurant will be open seven days a week from 6 am to 1 pm, with hours subject to adjustment based on demand.

Follow along for updates on Facebook as Cousin’s Kolaches approaches its mid-July debut.