Need a Panaderia education

Yes, they're all around, the Panaderias. I've recently had a few different samplings brought to me of these baked goods. My overall impression so far has been that some of them are too dry, others not very sweet. So far, I'm amused, but not hooked. What am I missing, and which are the best Panaderias around town? Also, what are the favorite items? I'm looking for flavor and freshness, and almost nothing is too sweet for me!

kithat, I know what you mean. Random sampling in the Mexican bakeries often results in stuff that's not so good.

Here's an old thread on this same issue:
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=822

And a report from David Hammond about a bakery on S. Pulaski he really liked:
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=45972#45972

One thing I got last fall at the Nuevo Laredo bakery (18th street east of Ashland) that was good was a sweet potato (camote) empanada. I'm not sure if they always have them, though -- I believe they were listed on a handwritten sign in the window that day.

Amata

Amata wrote:kithat, I know what you mean. Random sampling in the Mexican bakeries often results in stuff that's not so good.

Kithat, Amata,

Chalk one up for quickly approaching senility. I read the original request as Panera

Enjoy ,
Gary

the panaderia at sheffield(sheridan) and irving, just south of irving has the most amazing macaroons. i dont know if its a traditional thing or not, but they are as big as an ice cream scoop, and most of them have xtra melted caramel-y-ness all around the base.

you know the coconut/caramel girl scout cookies? its like that but waaay better.

i think their like, 60 cents. awesome.
also, the small shortbread-y cups filled with custard/cheese. yum

flan is too eggy, and the donuts taste like burning. but the macaroon man, whewh.. those are awesome

I've found that if you slather enough Nutella on the dry--but nicely crispy--elephant ears, they're not so bad.

crrush wrote:I've found that if you slather enough Nutella on the dry--but nicely crispy--elephant ears, they're not so bad.

I find that to be true for just about anything!

Many people who were raised on American and truly French pastries don't like Mexican pan dulce. Understandable. While the best and freshest are probably less of what you didn't like about them, they probably aren't different in kind, only degree. That said, there's a pretty good range of sweet breads. My personal favorite are churros, but only when freshly made, and they're not a part of the regular repetoire at most panaderias. Otherwise, I like things that are crisp and crunchy with lots of sugar and cinnamon sugar or the custard filled items.