La Popular Bakery & Cake Shop

In San Antonio any day is a good day for Pan De Dulce, or for the layman «Sweet Bread». While Bedoy’s, Pannifico and the bakery in Mi Tierra are the points of reference for Mexican pastries I like to seek those spots off the beaten path, Fortunately there is one nearby called, The Popular Bakery.
On any given day or night this place gets packed with people seeking conchas, galletas, the pink pastel, etc. There is usually one person serving you but they are really quick. From their great selection you can choose from some awesome items that are both fresh and soft.
Workers, families a boyfriend sends his girl to get some pan de dulce that will inevitably be eaten with a cup of Mexican Hot Chocolate. Or better yet con uno tazo de café. My only issue is this place is that gets slammed and there are no areas to stand amongst the store. But I think the intent is more for you to purchase your goodies and to go home so you can share them with your family, significant other other or be greedy and eat them all yourself!
In addition the items here are El Cheapo! Bedoy’s can be pricey and Pannifico tends to run out of stuff more frequently. If you are in the mood for Pan De Dulce and happen to be in the neighborhood by all means check this place out. Cookies and pink cake, a buck. Seeing your Boo get concha crumbs all over their Cowboy’s Jersey. Sin Precio. (Oh, priceless!)

Environment: C (+0)
This location has a really cramped feeling to it. I understand that it’s a bakery and it’s gotta have a large back of the house area but it seems as if the front of the house area was an after-​thought and God forbid there are more than a few people in there at a time, because you’d be crammed in there like sardines.
Food Quality: B (+0.5)
Good bread pudding and donuts. Okay cookies. The cupcake’s icing had an «interesting» taste and texture to them that just didn’t agree with my taste buds so I ended up throwing them out.
Selection: B (+0.5)
I wish they had more traditional items like peanut butter cookies.
Service: C (+0)
The service was really just average. The person behind the counter just grabs some waxing sheets and waits for you to point at what you want. What could really elevate the level of service is some conversation — «is this your first visit? May I recommend a few items for you to try today?»
Value: B (+0.5)
You can truly load up and satisfy your sweet tooth for a good week without doing much damage to the wallet. Just note that you must spend at least $ 5 to use a debit or credit card (easier said than done when everything is under $ 1). This policy is not posted, however, I’ve strictly discovered it from experience.

I wish we had places like this in Dallas. The empanadas are delicious with plenty of filling (instead of all the bread like most places). I just with they would bring back the cajeta empanadas!

Best cookies in town!

The Best Pan Dulce! Good barbacoa– little grease. All meat!