On Feb. 12, a Kolache Factory opened in Carmel on East 116th Street, bringing with it a whole new way to enjoy breakfast, lunch and everything in between.

There are many benefits to eating at the Factory, one of which is that everything is entirely fresh. According to manager William Lingle, the staff arrives at the factory at 2 a.m. to begin preparing the dough and baking fresh kolache. The freshness of the kolache is evident in the fact that not every flavor is always available for purchase depending on what time you stop by. According to employee and junior Mark Tague, the best time to come in is around 9 a.m. if not earlier, as the shelves are usually fully stocked with fresh kolache. Later on in the day, certain flavors are often unavailable. Tague said disappointment is easily avoidable, however, as customers can call ahead or order online.

If you choose not to call ahead, however, the ordering process is pretty straightforward: the customer orders what they want off the menu or shelves, and upon request, the cashier will heat the pastries up for them. I was initially surprised by the fact that by “heating up” the order, the cashier is just placing it in the microwave for 10 seconds; however, the dough does not get stale nor is the taste affected. Quite the contrary, actually, as microwaving the pastries results in a much more enjoyable meal. However, do beware of microwaving some of the pastries. When microwaved, all the chocolate on the chocolate cream cheese kolache tends to melt and run.

The pricing of the kolache is another benefit of eating at the factory. Kolache can be ordered individually or by the dozen, and prices range from less than a dollar to a couple dollars for a single and from around $10 to $20 for a dozen. The exact menu with prices, along with calorie counts, are available online. Customers definitely get the most for their money as the kolache are substantial portions of food for a relatively low cost, making the Factory a great option for students or individuals on a budget.

One of the greatest aspects of the Kolache Factory, however, is the convenience of the food. The kolache are all portable and as they are simply buns on the outside, spilling one provides a challenge to even the most talented mess-makers. They provide the ideal on-the-go meal, which is often difficult to find but extremely valuable to those with busy schedules. Additionally, the employees arrange the kolache in the box in such a way that when they place the receipt in on top, the kolache line up with the list on the receipt. This conveniently ensures that the customers will know which kolache are which as they all look rather similar from the outside.

Overall, the Kolache Factory combines great taste with efficiency and convenience. A visit to the factory is a great way to start your day.