Casa De Pinata

I visited Casa de Pinatas with my cousin, who was looking for a piñata for her daughter’s birthday party. Although we went during the scheduled hours, the shop was closed and didn’t answer their phone. From the windows, it looks like they have great variety of pinatas. I will try this place again but will try to call first before making the trip.

If you ever have need of a piñata this is the ONLY place to go. The owner of the business is incredibly talented and is willing to go out of his way to make your piñata dreams come true. He can do custom work and his prices are very reasonable. Support this local artist and keep your cash out of chain stores.

Funny thing about the candy here, it’s all got Jalapeño flavoring in it! I think it makes for a good saying when something doesn’t go well, «That went over like jalapenos in a piñata!»
For four years now I’ve walked down to Casa de Pinatas (which for those of you who don’t speak spanish translates to «extremely durable pinatas») with my daughter and she picks out a piñata. They look so real that she literally befriends it and hangs out with it for a couple days before the beating it to death.
The kids smacked it with a plastic bat for awhile, didn’t budge. Then we gave them wooden stickes, still nothing. Then the big kids came out with aluminum bats, barely scathed the surface. Then my brother stabbed the piñata 20 times and again attacked it with the aluminum bat. Still no candy. Finally, the kids just charged it and ripped it apart with their bare hands.
I guess my only tip is lay into it with all you got, switch blades and all, and have a video camera ready for when the kids start eating jalapeño candy after ripping Hola Gatito apart with their bare hands.

Unfortunately, the owner of this shop may never see this review. One of his first admissions to me during our transaction was that he didn’t «know computers». This is the fault of his sons, who never taught him how to use one. Don’t get him going on that tangent, though — stick to pinatas.
This little hole-​in-​the-​mall has been around since I moved to ABQ, probably years before hand, and I finally had an opportunity to check it out. Initially I was absolutely floored by the size of these pinatas, they stretch three to five feet in height and length. They’re all hand-​made. They easily handle some five pounds of candy/​stuffing. Popular characters, cervesa bottles, iconic figures… an amazing selection. And you can special order ANYTHING you want, they’ll make your creation.
The proof was in the whacking, though. A group of grown, generally sober adults went at the piñata I bought for a good 20 minutes before a samurai swipe managed to decapitate it. Industrial and artisan, these are seriously great pinatas.
The store has a bevy of Mexican and American candy, including chile-​spiced sweets that add some authenticity to an event. They also sell the swatters (don’t know the official term for them) that are festively wrapped and last a lifetime. Oh, and did I mention prices? Most pinatas go for $ 35, the more unique run another $ 10, but compare that to the major Marts and you’re looking at a marvelous local deal.