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Mon-Tue. 4:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wed. 5:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thu-Sun. 4:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
"After trying the steak torta, carnitas burrito, and giving the steak burrito another try I had to raise the rating to 4. Awesome stuff."
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This place has been here for a long time.
Not the nicest looking place but the smells will pull you in.
And the taste, the taste, mmmmmm.
Can't wait to try more from here.
One time, after going to dynamo donuts I was so tempted to buy more.
This is the best and earliest opening pan dulce bakery in San Francisco, but not quite in the whole bay area. They open daily at 430am. I think 5am on Sundays.
At this time their pan dulce is super fresh. So fresh that you can take it home and leave it in the bread box and it still tastes pretty good after 2 days.
They have a decent selection. They are very helpful. The only bummer is their prices can be high for most items. They also have the most authentic tasting salvadorean "quesadilla" which is more of a cake with no frosting sweet bread and doesn't have anything to do with cheese and tortillas.
I love this panaderia! I come here and relax after work with a cup of coffee and a chocolate concha!
Their bread is DELICIOUS.I have been eating bread from here for 21 years.Yea WOW. Their prices are a little higher but affordable. JUST DONT GO EARLY IN DA MORNING BEFORE 9AM BECAUSE THE LADY PUSHES THE PRICES UP A BIT MORE THAN WHAT THEY ARE A LITTLE LATER.
It's a good place to go before or after taking the kids to the little mini park beside it, or after cutting your hair at the barber shop beside it. lol
Yum, yum, yummy yum yum. Fresh, tasty, and yummy.
Grab a tray, some tongs, and go to town.
Pics in context in blog.
Portion three of my interview day entailed a bus-ride from the VA to San Francisco General - conveniently located in The Mission area of San Francisco - home of Dynamo Donuts. Having heard wonderful things of the bacon-laden option I finished my interview at 4:00, bid my farewells, and changed back into my jogging shoes. Rushing through the streets of The Mission past any number of unique Hispanic, Korean, and Chinese options I finally saw the sign for Dynamo - and the metal awning closing before my very eyes. Stopping the clerk I was informed that they'd been sold out of donuts since "about 2:00" and that he'd merely been selling coffee. He invited me to come back the next morning, but alas my schedule didn't allow for such - there is always next time.
As I was walking away I was somewhat disappointed but plenty excited to proceed to my next stop (Humphry Slocombe) until I was stopped by a well-dressed couple who stated "Don't worry, their donuts aren't that good - if you want to try something awesome there is this little Mexican pastry shop up the street called Panaderia - go there and get whatever the clerk recommends as fresh baked." Having already passed a Mexican Bakery and being admittedly impressed by the display I figured "Why not?" and continued along until I found the small shop exactly where they said it would be.
Walking in the door I was instantly struck by the wonderful smell of apples and cinnamon - and the fact that I couldn't read a single word on the wall, menu, or pastry cases! Taking the advice of the couple I asked the clerk "What's good?" only to get the response "What you like?" Stating I wasn't sure didn't seem to get me anywhere as I once again received "What you like?" as a response. Not wanting to drag this on for too long I responded "Something fresh, with fruit" and the man smiled and led me to the case where he stated "Get this, and this." Asking what they were (and having it written down so I could remember) I was told a Mexican Wedding Cookie with Guava and an Empanada de Calabaza (pumpkin.) $2.20 cents later I emerged with my prizes and dug in.
First opting for the Empanada I must admit I was somewhat skeptical due to its plain appearance - a skepticism that resolved the moment I bit through the flaky crust and tasted the burst of pumpkin-pie-esque flavor. With hints of cinnamon and vanilla the dainty pastry worked excellently and was almost like a hostess fruit pie yet far more tasty. Not too sweet, not too heavy - I probably could've eaten 2-3 if I weren't planning on ice cream and a subsequent dinner.
My second choice, the Mexican Wedding Cookie, was another wonderful surprise and reminded me of a better version of the Russian Tea Balls my aunt makes each year at Christmas - but with chunks of almond and walnut plus a wonderfully tart compote that tasted of strawberry and cherry at once. Eating as carefully as I could I still managed to end up with about a teaspoon of powdered sugar on my black suit (a fact noted by myself and chuckled at by the cashier at Humphry Slocombe - who additionally noted her love for Panaderia when I attempted to explain myself) but it was absolutely worth it - and the dry cleaning bill!
I don't know why I haven't reviewed this bakery before because I've been going there for 15-odd years.
This is my favorite Mexican bakery. As you enter, take a tray and pair of tongs and pick out pastries from the dozens of choices. There's everything from pan dulce to empanadas to custard buns to little piggies.
I used to go by about 7a and buy pastries for my staff of 15 for about $22-24 and there was plenty to share with others, too.
Be sure to check out the pastries that come straight from the ovens in back for the freshest items.
This place has plain muffins which are hard to come by and my husband loves them. I have to admit that it's not something I ever thought existed or would seek to find...but after trying them they are pretty tasty. I like the chocolate chip muffins though :) A pretty simple Mexican bakery with ample, fresh choices.
I'll admit it. Sometimes I am wary of Mexican bakeries because I am so scared I'll pick the wrong thing and hate it. I have many times wasted a $1.50 on a something and all because I am too chicken to ask what it is or what is in it, if its crispy or what. I used to think they were dry and not for me.
So far here, I'm doing very well. Everything I've plucked from the shelves has been very delicious. One of my favorite things looks like a mini pineapple upside cake with a maraschino cherry half, but its a cake, filled with custard. Another is the plain old sugar bread. Its soft and not dry.
They also have coffee with cinnamon in it.
I'll soon get over my shyness, I'm here once a week now that I work nearby, and the nice lady at the register lets me call her Tia.
We stopped in here for Pan Dulce and were NOT disappointed! Some of the freshest we've ever had! The folks working were incredibly kind and pleasant--especially with our kids yelling for cookies!
I can't wait to make a return trip for my beloved Pan Dulce. My Abuela would've given this place a big thumbs up as well!
I've come to the conclusion that Yelpers are not very adventurous. C'mon, only 13 reviews for a place this great! There is more to the city than what's mentioned in the paper/tv or what's considered "hip". Do not be afraid if you don't know what anything is! Just ask!
From the outside, this place looks like nothing special. From the inside, it still looks like nothing special. Linoleum flooring. Fluorescent lighting. But then you peer in the large cases with shelves of unfamiliar pastries and then your head starts spinning and your mouth starts watering.
The Mexican pastries here are light and sweet, but not too sugary (like Danishes can often be). All kinds of options from plain (unadorned) dough pastries to those stuffed with lemon custard, fruit, etc. I like how the pastry is the perfect balance between baked and moist. Most of the time they are overdone and very dry. I didn't even need tea to go with mine.
Yes, nothing is labeled. Just look and guess, or ask if you really want to know. Pick up a tray, some paper, tongs, and go to town. I don't know what I get. But it's all good so far! Each pastry is a little over $1 and when you get home and put it on a plate you may think it's a lot to have as a small snack and wonder if somehow it grew on the way home.
Bike Parking: Designated bike racks around the corner on York St.
Best mexican bakery in the area.
They also have:
1) Alligator shaped custard buns
2) Pineapple crusted turtle buns
What more could you want?
The smells coming out of this bakery are enough to make me swoon. We have been going to this bakery since the late 1970s and I am required to bring pig cookies to North Carolina when I visit my sister. I usually stick to the pig cookies, but have recently branched out and tried a roll that tasted just like fresh challah. We polished off all of our goodies in about 5 minutes.
Um .................................................. .... YUM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so glad (but unhappy for my waist) that we stumbled in here after breakfast at St. Francis Fountain this morning.
None of us had ever been in a Mexican bakery and we unsure what some of the items were. The woman in store was very eager to help and tell what things were.
Everything we bought was super yum. And, nothing tasted like it was loaded with butter or fat. They were kinda light and a bit dry sprinkled with sugar. Totally tasty. A good find to nosh on on a windy, rainy Sunday.
So many goodies, and so little time, to pick through all of them.
My friend who grew up in the mission, loves this place and always takes us here.
Cheap and easy! Like everyone else says...get tongs, grab a tray, and load up, and get rung up. :-)
Bring cash though!
Solid option for a post-lunch sugar craving. One of the staples I always get is the cornbread muffin because it's just so light, fluffy and hey realistically if it has something to do with corn, I know my Mexican people perfected making it.
Right across the street from La Torta Gorda, this panaderia was the perfect place for some post lunch sweets.
Grab a tray and tongs and select what you want.
Mexican bakeries use use many different types of flours/grains.
I like the corn flour pastries. Also this pretzel looking wheat flour treat, with the big granules of sugar on top.
I don't know any of the names, but the lady is very very helpful and sweet.
It's bright and super clean.
Grab a tray and tongs on the counter and load em up!
I love the pan dulce, or mexican sweet bread.. They are so adorable! It's shaped like turtles, rocks, ears, shells, etc.. They're the cutest little things! The cinnamon and sugar dusted concha is excellent with a cup of Mexican hot chocolate.
Muy delicioso!!!
Early on Sunday mornings I sometimes make the trek to this panaderia, just for a bag of melt-in-your-mouth Mexican galletas that taste crisp and light and buttery. Just grab a tray and a pair of tongs, then slide open the display doors and pluck what you want. I usually go for the powdered sugar-covered galletas, the animal cookies, and a concha or two.
The Mission's just waking up around that time, and it's cool to be out strolling la corazon, a bag of fresh baked goodies clutched in hand, as all the mercados are rolling out their produce and shop owners are hosing down the sidewalks.
SF Chronicle food writer Tara Duggan had written an evocative article on panaderias and their culinary/cultural significance in the city back in '04. La Mexicana figured largely in it.
http://www.sfgate.com/...
Been coming here my whole life. This Place has amazing pan dulce (sweet bread).
Been to other panaderia's and it's sad because La Mexicana has spoiled me. I really can't eat anywhere else.
Beware: This place place will spoil you hearily.
After trying the pastries from different Mexican bakeries in the Mission, this place is my overall favorite to go to for pan dulce. As you step through the door of the bakery, your senses will be stimulated by the aroma of the fresh baked goods and the large assortment of visually appetizing pan dulce. Their round, fat conchas are the perfect balance of density and sweet softness. And then there are the horn-shaped cuernitos, croissant shaped pastries that are cakey and sweet. And the custard filled pastries are fantastic. With their wide selection of different pastries, you can try something new on each visit. I recommend stopping at this bakery, grabbing a pair of tongs and a tray, and loading up on the pastries!
AWESOME.
We ordered our wedding cookies from this bakery and we got rave reviews from our guests! And of course we had to sample their other goods when we came in to make our order. 5 stars!
For less than a dollar, you can pick up a pastry that is basically the love child of a jelly doughnut and a pound cake sprinkled with coconut, and if it's not enough to get you through the wait for a table at St. Francis Fountain, well I can't help you any more, fat ass.
Absolutely dazzling array of fresh Mexican delights. Felt like I was in a different country. The place seems very authentic and my pastry tasted like it had been freshly brushed with a sugar/butter compote, which was perfect. 95 cents of Heaven. I just wanted SOMETHING to have guava in it. I know it's a San Salvadorean thing, but sometimes you just have to compromise/ go fusion, ya know?
Wow, I'm only the 3rd reviewer? This place is exactly like walking into a panaderia in mexico, not least because it's a total hole in the wall. Just an empty room with a counter and some self-serve cases with all the various goodies. If only they could get a tumbleweed to blow by the front door. You pretty much can't go wrong here, but try getting some pan dulce if you can't decide.
This is my reliable "I need sugar in my mouth now and I don't want it to cost the price of a sandwich" place. The thing I've always loved about panaderias is this, even if it doesn't taste that great, the pastries are always going to look like the pastries in my dream world. Although La Mexicana actually has less of the colorful and decadent looking masterpieces of other panaderias in the area, the taste leaves me with nothing to complain about. Jellied coconuted sugar bread in my tummy for a buck. Done.
I have been patronizing this bakery for over 20 years, and I'm only 27 years old. This place has not changed much, and the bread continues to be great. Compared to other Mexican bakeries, this bread is the sweetest. The gusano, a pastry with a custard like bread filling, is probably my favorite at this location, next to the jelly roll with sprinkled with coconut.
i definitely love this place i've traveled from san mateo the s.f. just to go to panaderia la mexicana for whats called in spanish a gusano(worm) its a bread with a sort of custard like filling with sugar on top . It brings me back to when i was a little girl and going to the produce markets in the mission with my grandma and if i was good i got to have a bread . this place is definitely worth it .
Happy Hour: $1 Tacos & $2…
Neighborhood: Mission
Student Discounts
Neighborhood: Union Square
Neighborhood: Mission
Category: Bakeries
Neighborhood: Mission
Category: Bakeries
Neighborhood: Mission
Category: Bakeries
Neighborhood: Mission
Category: Bakeries
Neighborhood: Mission
Category: Bakeries
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