When Only The Best Will Do.

*We will be closed from December 24th at Noon to December 28th at 7:00 AM

About Us

With tables, chairs, and decorations from a flea market and a handful of family recipes, The Cherry Laurel opened its doors in 1990 by two best friends. With their husbands and six kids between the two of them, Bonnie Wilson and Linda Ingram set forth to transform a dilapidated house into a cozy restaurant that beckoned their patrons' return. Offering homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches, The Cherry Laurel gave the citizens of Athens, Texas a casual and unique dining experience. The Cherry Laurel also became a staple dessert provider for the Athens area.

In 1997, a local bakery owner announced her retirement, but her loyal customers didn't want to lose such a wonderful resource for birthday and wedding cakes. Upon contacting Bonnie and Linda, The Cherry Laurel Bakery came to be. They perfected the amazing Butterum cake: moist and flavorful, it isn't just an ordinary yellow cake. Patrons drive up to two hours to Athens just to have a Butterum cake for a special occasion.

Until 2000, Bonnie and Linda were both high school teachers. One at a time, they both chose to commit to The Cherry Laurel full time, at which point the restaurant and bakery were combined into one building. The attention from both owners allowed for The Cherry Laurel to dive headfirst into the ever-promising catering business. Booked up to months in advance, The Cherry Laurel custom caters events for up to 500 people.

bonnie.linda

Linda Ingram and Bonnie Wilson

Restaurant

Come by and enjoy our porch or dine inside!

See our menu below.

Dining Hours
Monday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday Closed

The Cherry Laurel Bakery

Take a look at some of our recent cakes.

Cake Order Form

Delivery           Pick-Up
Delivery           Pick-Up

We do more than just cakes. Stop by and check out our other desserts!

Catering Items

Breakfast

Bacon
Breakfast Burritos
Breakfast Sandwiches
Canadian Bacon
French Toast Casserole
Frittata
Ham
Mexican Egg Casserole
Pig in a Blanket
Pork Chops
Quiche
Sausage
Scrambled Eggs
Southern Egg Casserole
Southern Grits
Steak
Bagels
Berries and Cream
Buttermilk Biscuits
Cinnamon Rolls
Coffeecake
Crepes
Fruit Kolache
Fruit [Seasonal]
Muffins
Pancakes
Raspberry Rolls
Scones
Sliced Tomatoes
Swiss Birschermuesli
Waffles
Apple Juice
Cappuccino
Chai
Coffee
Espresso
Grapefuit Juice
Hot Chocolate
Latte
Milk
Orange Juice
Tea (Hot)
Tea (Iced)
Tomato Juice

Hors d'oeuvres

Baked Ham and Cheese Spirals
Beef and Cheese Pinwheels
Bleu Cheese Bites
Bourbon Wieners
Bruschetta with Tomato Basil Topping
Chicken Salad Sliders
Chicken Salad in Puff Pastry
Chilled Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce*
Crab Cakes with Dill Sauce*
Dr.Pepper Pork Sliders
Finger Sandwiches
Fruit Tray / Cheese Tray
Fruit and Cheese Display
Goat Cheese Tarts*
Meatballs
Mini Baked Brie Cups
Mini Tenderloin Sandwiches*
Miniature Quiche
Olive Cheddar Balls
Pepperoni Pizza Bites
Prosciutto and Melon Wrap
Smoked Ham Slices
Spicy Chile Nut Mix
Stuffed Mushrooms*
Tomato Basil Flatbread
Tortilla Rollups with Dip
Warm Cranberry Turkey Sandwiches
Assorted Chips and Dips
Baked Shrimp and Crab Salad*
Baked Spinach-Artichoke Dip
Bar Cookies
Bite-size Pies
Boursin Cheese w/ Roasted Raspberry Chipotle
Brie en Croute with Assorted Toppings*
Camembert and Toasted Walnut Pate’ on Crostini
Crab Dip with Assorted Veggies and Crackers*
Fudge
Gingerbread
Herbed Cheese and Cracker Bits
Hot Pepperoni Dip
Mashed Potato Bar
Mexican Layer Dip
Mini Cookies
Mini Cupcakes
Muffaletta Dip
Peanut Brittle
Pecan Mini Tarts
Reuben Dip
Roasted Garlic Hummus with Pita Triangles
Roasted Red Pepper and Artichoke Dip
Sand Tarts
Savory Pesto Cheesecake
Spanokopita
Texas Caviar Dip
Thumbprints
Veggie Pasta Salad
Veggie Tray with dip

Main Dishes and Casseroles

Baked Ham
Beef Brisket
Beef Stroganoff
Beef Tenderloin
Burgundy Beef Tips
Chicken Marsala
Chicken and Dressing
Chicken and Rice
Chicken Picante
Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken Spaghetti
Enchiladas
Fajitas
Italian Chicken Breast Parmesan
Italian Spaghetti
King Ranch Chicken
Lasagna
Meatloaf
Peppered Pot Roast
Pork Roast
Pork Tenderloin
Prime Rib
Rosemary Chicken Almondine

From the Grill

Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Burgers
Hot Dogs
Link Sausage
Cuban Style Tuna Steaks
Our Famous BBQ
Pork Chops
Pork Tenderloin
Kabobs
Prime Beef Steaks
Red Snapper / Salmon
Shrimp

Sides

Baked Potato Casserole
Baked Potatoes
Carrot Soufflé
Corn Casserole
Green Bean Casserole
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Red Skin Mashed Potatoes
Scalloped Potatoes
Seasoned Corn
Seasoned Green Beans
Sweet Potato Casserole
Twice Baked Potatoes
Asparagus w/ lemon butter sauce
Baked Beans
Black Eyed Peas
Broccoli w/ lemon pepper
Cilantro-Lime Rice
Grilled Squash
Macaroni and Cheese
Mexican Green Rice Casserole
Pinto Beans
Roasted Veggies
Seasoned Carrots
Squash Casserole
Zucchini and Summer Squash with Basil

Salads

Arugula and Baby Romaine
Broccoli Slaw
Caesar Salad
Cherry Laurel Salad
Chicken Salad
Cobb Salad
Cole Slaw
Fruit Salad
Iceberg Wedge
Mexican Corn Salsa
Pasta Salad
Potato Salad
Spinach with strawberries and nuts
Thai Salad
Tossed Green Salad
Tuna Salad
Waldorf Salad

Soups

Baked Potato
Broccoli Cheese
Chicken Noodle
Chicken Tortilla
Chicken and Dumplings
Chili
French Onion
Gumbo
Mexican Cheese
Mexican Corn
Tomato Basil
Tuscan Style Vegetable Soup
Vegetable Beef
Velvet Corn
White Bean Chicken Chili

Desserts

Banana Nut
Black Forest
Butterum
Carrot
Chocolate Fudge
Chocolate Italian Cream
Coconut
German Chocolate
Hummingbird
Italian Cream
Lemon
Mexican Chocolate
Poppy Seed
Pumpkin
Red Velvet
Strawberry
Sweet Potato
Toasted Coconut
Tres Leches
White
Apricot Bars
Banana Pudding
Brownies
Buttermilk Pecan Pie
Cheesecake
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars
Chocolate Ding Dong Cake
Chocolate Roll
Cobblers
Cookies
Dream Bars
Fresh Apple Cake
Fresh Strawberry Shortcake
Ice Cream Cakes
Lemon Bars
Pies
Pound Cake
Pumpkin Roll
Toffee Cheesecake Bars

Holiday Menu

Let The Cherry Laurel help you this holiday season!

From casseroles and sides for a quick family dinner, to breakfast items and desserts; even an entire holiday meal! We’ll provide the great quality you’ve come to expect.

We sometimes have casseroles, cakes, and dessert items on hand (call first!).

For Christmas, please place orders as early as possible.

Last minute orders are not usually a problem for The Cherry Laurel, but may need a flexible pick-up time



**Due to the large number of orders at the holiday season, it might be impossible to take on certain items. Please know that we make every attempt to take care of you, our valued customer. Orders called in early are given priority over those called in late.

Holiday Items
Baked Turkey (Breast or Whole)
      or      
Baked or Honey Glazed Ham
      or      
Peppered Pot Roast (Beef)
      or      
Pork Roast
      or      
Cornbread Dressing with Gravy
      or      
Mashed Potatoes
      or      
Seasoned Green Beans
      or      
Seasoned Corn
      or      
Seasoned Broccoli
      or      
Green Bean Casserole
      or      
Corn Casserole
      or      
Sweet Potato Casserole
      or      
Carrot Souffle
      or      
Broccoli-Cheese-Rice Casserole
      or      
Squash Casserole
      or      
Cranberry Sauce
      or      
Pistachio Salad
      or      
Mandarin Orange Salad
      or      
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
      or      
Cherry Jubilee Salad
      or      
Casseroles and Meat Dishes
Chicken Spaghetti
      or      
King Ranch Casserole
      or      
Lasagna (with or w/o meat)
      or      
Traditional Enchiladas
      or      
Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
      or      
Rosemary Chicken Almandine
      or      
Parmesan Chicken Breast
      or      
Burgundy Beef Tips
      or      
Meatloaf
      or      
Beef Stroganoff
      or      
Breakfast Items
Egg Casseroles
      or      
Quiche
      or      
French Toast Casserole
      or      
Cinnamon Rolls
      or      
Raspberry Rolls
      or      
Sticky Buns
      or      
Pigs-in-a-Blanket
      or      
Scones
      or      
Muffins
      or      
Kolaches
      or      
Pies
Pumpkin Pie
      or      
Pumpkin Pecan
      or      
Sweet Potato
      or      
Apple Crumb
      or      
Cherry
      or      
Pineapple
      or      
Mincemeat
      or      
Buttermilk
      or      
Egg Custard
      or      
Chocolate Chess
      or      
Pecan Pie
      or      
Chocolate Pecan
      or      
Buttermilk Pecan
      or      
Key Lime
      or      
French Silk
      or      
Lemon Meringue
      or      
Chocolate Meringue
      or      
Coconut Meringue
      or      
Caramel Meringue
      or      
Cakes
Butterum
      or      
Vanilla Almond
      or      
Chocolate Fudge
      or      
Chocolate Ding Dong
      or      
Mexican Chocolate
      or      
Fresh Strawberry Shortcake
      or      
Red Velvet
      or      
German Chocolate
      or      
Italian Cream
      or      
Chocolate Italian Cream
      or      
Hummingbird
      or      
Pumpkin Cake
      or      
Carrot
      or      
Banana Nut
      or      
Lemon
      or      
Strawberry
      or      
Fresh Apple Cake
      or      
Pound Cake
      or      
Toffee Cheesecake Bars
      or      
Gluten Free Desserts
      or      
Dessert Trays
Assortment of Fudge
      or      
Cake Balls
      or      
Mini Cookies
      or      
Lemon Bars
      or      
Raspberry Bars
      or      
Apricot Bars
      or      
Dream Bars
      or      
Cookies and Fudge
Chocolate Chip Cookies
      or      
Peanut Butter
      or      
Snickerdoodle
      or      
Coconut Pecan
      or      
White Choc. Macadamia
      or      
Homemade Sugar Cookies
      or      

Our customers love The Cherry Laurel

  • You OUTDID yourself...it's been 2 weeks since our wedding reception, and people can't stop talking about your CAKES !!! They are the BEST they've ever tasted (of course, I KNEW they would be !!), and everyone is asking about your business in Athens, TX. !! (It even made the society column yesterday in the Lufkin Daily News !). Both cakes were just GORGEOUS, and they tasted as good as they looked...we had people coming back for MORE, and wanting to know where they came from...and, of course, I told them !! So, you may be getting some more calls about your cakes &/or catering from the "Deep East Texas" area !!! Carole & I want to THANK YOU for doing such a FABULOUS job on making AND decorating the cakes...they were the "centerpiece" of our buffet table, and we just can't thank you enough for helping us out, and doing such an incredibly wonderful job for our most important day !! We are still enjoying some of the last pieces of your "creations", and we look forward to another great "bite" of wedding cake come March of 2015...for our 1st anniversary !!! Hope all is well with you in Athens, and we look forward to seeing you when thru your area...and please keep in touch---we LOVE to hear from you !!! You KNOW you have some eternal friends & customers in Lufkin, Texas !!!

    - David & Carole Lawson
  • I love our Cherry Laurel. Whether it's lunch, cakes or catering - everything is awesome. We get our entire Thanksgiving meal here every year and it is incredible. Great food and wonderful people.

    - Jeff Weinstein
  • This quaint little place is in my hometown. The BEST cake you can get anywhere! Butter rum = heavenly & the ultimate wedding cake. My siblings have had it for their weddings; we even drove my brother's cake down to San Marcos when he got married! So far as the cafe, it is reasonably priced & the food is delicious. The bakery has all kinds of fantastic treats available in a case or made to order, including slices of all their cakes, cupcakes, cakeballs, bars, and fudge. And to top it off, the staff is great: friendly, attentive, and courteous. The last time I went I got there 5 minutes before closing and they still cheerfully served me (they close at 3 a couple days a week). Check their hours before you go, but go you must! :)

    - Critical C.
  • Stopped in Saturday, May 17th, to pick up a selection of Homemade Fudge for a friends birthday. There are so many choices....alll delicious! My personal favorite.....Chocolate Sea Salt. Yummmmmola! The staff is friendly and very accomodating. The Bakery/Cafe' is cozy & quaint. The decor is a collection of days gone by.....mismatched tables and chairs & creaky wood floors.....reminders of my Grandmothers house. The fine aroma of coffee and bakery goods will welcome you when you walk through the front door. Cherry Laurel offers a wonderful selection of homemade soups and sandwiches. Next time, I plan on coming in, sitting down and enjoying a sandwich and slice of their Italian Cream Cake. So happy to have found this little gem.

    - Spicy M.
  • Stopped in for lunch and so glad we did! Far exceeded our expectations! The Cabana Wrap was out of this world and the Iced Vanilla Chai was the best I have ever tasted! This is my new favorite lunch spot! Will definitely be back!

    - Jennifer R.

Come See Us!

The Cherry Laurel Bakery, Cafe & Catering
----------------------
Address:
305 South Prairieville Street
Athens, TX 75751
Phone:
(903) 677-5599
Email:
thecherrylaurel@yahoo.com