Coaches Kolaches gets back in the game with updated menu at new Urbandale location

Jay Stahl
Des Moines Register

Coaches Kolaches, known for its savory Texas-style take on the classic Czech pastry, is back in the game with a new location in Urbandale.

Former Iowa State football star and NFL player "Coach" Brent Curvey returns to the metro at 2777 100th St. on Sept. 1. He closed his original Clive storefront in February. 

Curvey joins a new business partner, his close friend and Drake University football alum Chris Wilson, for the foray into Urbandale. They hope to score new locations in the future, with at least one other shop expected before the year's end. 

Coaches Kolaches savory flavors.

"Urbandale ended up having a perfect space for us so that we can do the additional things that we wanted to do," Curvey said. "It wasn't too far from our original store and (we) can now serve as a hub should we do, or have any, additional satellite locations."

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Coaches Kolaches, hot dog bun-shaped doughy pastries, are available in both salty and sweeter choices. 

Savory flavors include sausage, ham, bacon and the popular brisket flavor, which becomes a permanent menu item in Urbandale. Non-meat options include egg and pepper pastries and a spinach, mushroom and mozzarella flavor.

Apple, cherry and blueberry round out the fruit-filled options, along with the customer favorite, poppyseed, which Curvey plans to more regularly add to the kolache roster. 

Assortment of sweet Coaches Kolaches flavors.

The Houston native's starting menu lineup at the store also will include new baked breads made from fresh pastry dough, and more "one-stop-shop" coffee options like lattes and specialty drinks.

"Coffee will be another piece of the menu that wasn't really there," Curvey said. "Nothing too crazy, but it makes you not have to go to Starbucks before you leave us."

Inside, the new space has a white-and-black chevron bar counter, ruby-red high-top stools, and an accent wall made of faux grass and a neon sign that reads "Kolache and Chill." 

Although the store is largely set-up for grab-and-go orders like its former location, a variety of indoor and outdoor seating options will be available at the new spot.

Curvey, who is known in the Des Moines metro for his philanthropic work, said he is excited to show local children they can start with one dream and build another when it ends.

"We're just big Black dudes with dreads," Curvey said of him and his business partner. "I think that's a good representation to show the kids you can go to school, play ball, come out and do something."

Where to get Coaches Kolaches

Address: 2777 100th St., Urbandale

Hours: 6 a.m. to noon, Wednesday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays

Opening day: Sept. 1 

Jay Stahl is an entertainment reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow him on Instagram, Twitter, or reach out at jstahl@gannett.com.