"At her Northeast Salem bakery, Dough Hook, pastry chef Guadalupe Alvarez Aguilar fuses French culinary technique with the Mexican flavors of her heritage. The results are head-turners: vanilla bean conchas, hibiscus- and horchata-glazed brioche doughnuts, tall sugar-dusted “cruffins” (croissant muffins), and Salem’s best croissants. Monthly doughnut specials are popular, with flavors like mango lassi or tres leches cake with berries; be sure to place a pre-order if you’re driving from Portland, as they sell out pretty consistently." - Emily Teel
