EM H.
Yelp
In search of a traditional and yummy tres leches cake to serve at our party, I found several bake shoppes via Yelp which led Z and me to visit Las hijas del Gallo BAKERY for the first time on the afternoon of Sunday, May 14, 2024.
Located at the edge of downtown South San Francisco, Las hijas del Gallo can boast that they have a parking lot adjacent to the venue. Not sure if it's for the business, but we parked there with no issues. The grey-painted building is not tiny, but also not huge. Most of the interior area is occupied for employees only, where all the baking magic happens. Customer areas are restricted to the small foyer, where the counters for placing orders and paying for goodies are done, and a narrow hallway where the baked goods are reeled into the row of metal racks from where the myriad of pastries, pans dulces (sweet breads), pasteles y pastelitos (cakes & cupcakes), muffins, etc. (you name your baked sweet, they probably offer it) are set out to grab (with tongs, of course) for purchase. Within the front area are also a case of refrigerated desserts such as tres leches slices and cups, flan, gelatinas, etc. and coffee & microwave stations. The place is kept decently tidy, though Z commented that the racks of confections could be cleaner.
Below are just a few items that we have had.
TRES LECHES CAKE - At our initial visit, we brought home a pre-packed slice and after his first taste, Z immediately decided that we were going to order the tres leches cake from here for the party. The single slice was packaged in a transparent plastic container, sitting in a pool of milk. Everyone agreed - the cake slice was very moist and enjoyable. This prompted us to return to Las hijas on the evening of Wednesday, May 22, to order a half sheet of tres leches cake with cream filling. We didn't find anything that we were looking for in their book of cake decorations, so we pulled up a simple photo from an internet search which they said that they could replicate. The finished product looked almost identical to the picture that we provided. Unfortunately, though, the half sheet didn't deliver nearly half of the milky moistness as the slice which was a little disappointing.
CHURROS - V likes their churros.
CHOCOLATE DONUT - Good, standard in taste and texture, according to Z.
OREJAS - Also known as palmiers. These are huge! Perfect flakiness and sweetness.
POLVORONES ROSAS - This simple pink sugar cookie is always my go-to at every panadería. The version here has a slight chew at the edges which I love.
CREAM FILLED CHOCOLATE BAR - Z & V didn't expect this bar to be filled with cream/custard. V said that it wasn't bad, though, even with the surprise filling.
ROL DE CANELA/RAISIN & CREAM ROLL - DJ didn't find any cream in this. For that reason, he was very disappointed in this pastry.
EMPANADA DE PIÑA/PINEAPPLE TURNOVER - "Ok; good, but not fabulous," according to DJ. "A little on the dry side."
SPINACH WITH FETA CHEESE - I liked this savory pastry, toasted a bit, but DJ found it a bit bland.
PUERQUITO - Disappointingly hard as a rock and dry, according to DJ.
Fun fact: This is a family-owned business. The daughters of El Gallo took over the Mexican Bakery and changed the name to Las hijas del Gallo. Insert heart emoji here. I never visited when they were still El Gallo, but I can tell you that the next generation's team delivers excellent customer service. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. The women are all so cute, too! I think I met one of the sisters and told her, "You're so cute, like a muñeca! I just want to hug you!" To which she responded that she could give me a hug, opening up her arms to me. Insert sparkling heart emoji here! Doesn't get better than that, guys.
So glad that we found this place. After discovering them less than a month ago, we have already visited three times. You betcha that we will be back!
Support small businesses like this place, please! Las hijas del Gallo will warm your heart and tummies, I promise!