Zen Kitchen BakeHouse & Craft Beverage Company — Restaurant in Kilgore

The worst part of my experience here is that I didn’t know about it earlier. TL;DR is that the food was satisfying, fresh, good portions, and there really weren’t any misses.

Sunday coffee can be hard to find outside of the typical stalwarts, but the year is 2025 and supporting local is a political credo I believe if we have anything left in common, it’s that.

All said, driving through Kilgore last Sunday on my way to family Easter, we looked for “coffee near me” and this didn’t come up. Better finding the golden egg than finding Zen. It makes me wonder how many others may be having a hard time finding this place for that reason. I’m writing this in part feedback to the owners to maybe modify their SEO and also to help it, perhaps. Here, I’ll write the key words again. Coffee near me.

Anyways, they have a brick pizza oven, an espresso machine, and a fella (I think) who brings them pastries. They also have a bar but we did not imbibe, though others were sipping on what I believe were espresso martinis. 10:30AM. It’s slow right now but it’s Sunday and it comes with the territory, owing motivation for why most coffee shops observe the Sabbath.

You can tell there was some effort and vision that went into the interior, but it’s 2025 and things are expensive, and if we can agree on any one thing, it’s that. So the look is cheerfully eclectic with both real and fake foliage, some serviceable but aspirational faux suede loungers, a rug that is too small, and a set of mid back chairs that came from a furniture sale off when Don Benitos bought out Casa Olé. There are repurposed pews should you feel conviction about choosing coffee over the Lord. A smattering of murals show me that someone cares about this space and I do feel that way, especially in Kilgore; a city developed around strict pragmatism and whose progeny either stay and practice tradition or move on to where their color is valued.

I shared a potato and chorizo flat bread with my wife, and an egg over easy. The egg was cooked correctly and the flat bread burnt my mouth. Weaker people may see that as a flaw but the rest of us kept growing after the 3rd grade and value the hallmarks of food prepared well, hot, and delivered quickly. It was great.

I got a drip coffee and my wife an Americano, hot and iced respectively. Both were good, locally roasted Silver Grizzly beans. We also both shared a lavender lemonade which we enjoyed.

It’s 11:30 now because I write slowly and I’m still working on my drip coffee, now cold. Things are picking up and Kilgore is introducing me to its community. Eclectic. Brunch girls at the bar, a young mom with her mom and her new baby, a bit of after church ladies dressed heat to toe in Cato, a young man in a Chicago jersey I don’t recognize, and an awfully warm sense of hope and joy.

It’s Sunday, after all.

I’ve written too much and my phone is lagging. Come down to Zen. They have a good thing going on, and if we can agree on any one thing, it’s that.

Come to think of it, I bet we can agree on more...

I want to start by saying that this is by no means a negative review, I really enjoyed this place but there was just one aspect of my visit that I feel needs to be stated and seen.

I'm not going to be harsh as this is a small business and is fairly new, but myself and two others ordered the margherita pizza yesterday evening and when we saw what was on the platters in front of us we were pretty disappointed; you can't just throw a couple of sliced/diced tomatoes on top of a layer of dough (albeit very good dough) with mozzarella on it and call it a margherita pizza. A traditional margherita pizza needs to have a layer of tomato sauce/thoroughly baked tomatoes.

With that being said, upon looking at other reviews here and seeing that this was not an error and appears to be the intended way that your margherita pizza is supposed to look, I would suggest either altering the title on your menu to something such as "deconstructed margherita" or including a brief description of the ingredients under each menu option to prevent further confusion in the future. You could even maybe keep the deconstructed margherita pizza on the menu and just add a traditional margherita alongside it as a separate option.

Aside from this issue, the atmosphere, service and ingredients were all great, the downtown location and interior decoration provided an overall relaxing feel throughout our time in the restaurant, I will visit again to try other menu options in the future as most other things looked to be normal and as I said, the crust/dough was delicious (as was the mozzarella), I just really had an issue with the take on the Margherita pizza being unclear.

Again, I'm not going to be harsh and leave a horrible rating on a small business in my hometown, but I just felt that this criticism needed to be voiced and seen by management to take into further consideration, I wish the owner and the team all the best in...

Zen Kitchen Bakehouse and Craft Beverage Company in Kilgore, Texas, is a gem that offers a delightful experience for all visitors. This charming spot is celebrated for its welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff, and delicious menu options. One of the standout items is their cinnamon rolls, which many customers rave about, calling them "to die for." These treats are freshly made and perfectly balanced with a cinnamon butter glaze, making them an irresistible choice for breakfast or dessert.

In addition to their famous cinnamon rolls, Zen Kitchen offers a variety of delicious items, including craft pizzas, deli sandwiches, and smoothies. The breakfast pizzas, in particular, are highly praised for their unique and flavorful combinations. The coffee and craft beverages are also top-notch, ensuring a satisfying visit whether you’re stopping by for a quick bite or a leisurely meal.

The ambiance at Zen Kitchen is another highlight, with a cozy and inviting setting that makes it a perfect spot for both solo dining and gatherings with friends. Many reviewers have noted the excellent customer service and the effort put into ensuring every guest feels welcome and well taken care of.

Overall, Zen Kitchen Bakehouse and Craft Beverage Company is a must-visit if you’re in Kilgore. Its combination of delectable food, inviting atmosphere, and exceptional service make it a standout destination...