Joyce C.
Yelp
Believe the hype! EVERYTHING at this bakery is delicious, with top quality ingredients, top quality technique, competitive pricing, and kind knowledgeable staff.
My Queens Foodie FB Group brought my attention to this Mexican (+ french, central american) bakery. This is the 3rd business for the owner, who runs De Mole Restaurant in Sunnyside & Williamsburg; and apparently did years of R & D for this "passion project."
I think they've also sold at the Sunnyside Greenmarket and have participated in Queens restaurant week pop-ups and other initiatives; great for them they opened a brick & mortar (October 2024). Looks like the news outlets love them - well deserved!
$2.50 AGUACATE! Just get it. Had no idea what it was but a the food group mentioned it. It's a cross between a bread / a soft cookie / soft pita shape; with bits of piloncillo (brown cane sugar) in it - some oozing out during baking and caramelizing with crisp spots! I couldn't stop going back for more bites.
The CONCHAS. Now I believe the hype! A simple brioche bun in concept; but this was SO pillowy and light, with light sweetness from the vanilla "cookie" topping. Also amazed about this engineering feat of the topping melting onto the bun. It doesn't crumble off into messy pieces!! Unlike other conchas that I've had (mostly from the supermarket or street vendors).
This is Artisanal! Everyday elevated items - maybe WHAT the item should actually taste like.
The 3rd item that I got was the Dulce de Leche Almond Cruffin (they call it a Croissant). The exterior was crispy shattering, the laminated dough was buttery and dense. The Dulce de Leche was sweet, but not overpowering and very thick. I wonder if it's homemade, there wasn't any other almond ingredient in the croissant, but assuming that it was just the almond topping. There was also an Apricot Almond Cruffin, will have to try it next time.
What kind of butter/lard do they use in their baked goods?! Each one had a distinct texture and crumb; it was great trying bites from these 3 very different items, executed so expertly. $9.75 (cash %) for my 3 items.
Apparently, their Coffee is wood smoked, their Mexican Hot Chocolate Croissant is the chocolate topping from the Chocolate Conchas, rolled in with the croissant. Their regular Croissant was reviewed one of the best in the NY Times. And their breads are from a sourdough starter that the Chef has been working on for the past 3 years; learning the recipe from his wife, Guatemalan mother. They also sell tamales, with a Guatemalan version, after 11 AM.
The shop is located in the more residential area, with a high school on the north side of the block. It's about a 5-8 minute walk from the 7 subway station. There's only two small round tables at the front of the shop, so wouldn't recommend dining in, or bringing large groups. There's a good amount of space to lineup and it sounds like their weekends have been very busy, selling out early. Love their façade, and simple, charming space, with a chandelier made of Mexican, hot chocolate mixers. The case of amazing items are the true stars here.
Five stars for the croissant door handle too!