Panadería Nuevo Leon

Need pan dulce that is handmade with love ?

❤ Try out Panadería Nuevo Leon❤

At this point, I should just live in Panadería Nuevo Leon.

Their desserts have ended up on my breakfast table for years, and I plan to keep that tradition going! But first, let me tell you a little bit about the significance of the lower west side.

Chicago's Latinx Communities

18th Street is the main road within the Pilsen neighborhood. Right off the pink line stop, you will find an abundance of bakeries, restaurants, and small shops to visit. All of these businesses are primarily Mexican, with a large population of Latinx folks and immigrants living in close proximity.

Pilsen and Little Village both fall on the lower west side, so I gravitate towards these two areas the most. Feeling like I am connected to my identity, culture, and family is what makes visiting bakeries like Panadería Nuevo Leon so personal. Even if I have seen the same storefronts a million time, I always feel like this is home.

There were so many family dinners at Los Comales, nights out with friends at Caminos de Michoacan, and festivals with Banda music to liven up the evenings. In the summer, many people dance to cumbias at the festivals or grab themselves some micheladas at food tents. Harrison Park is usually flooded with kids playing, while vendors line the street corners selling fruit or snacks. These are my most favorite smells, sights, and sounds.

Amidst the recent struggles that Chicago's Black and Brown communities are facing, there is a still a beacon of hope for the next generation. These neighborhoods are some of the many that represent the strength of Black and Brown youth, a maintenance of cultural ties, and showing power in existence.

Despite the consistent rise in gentrification, these communities are still fighting. There is always a struggle to keep culture alive in these spaces, for the sake of their origins. Overall, I would say it is extremely helpful to support, uplift, and acknowledge all local businesses in the Chicagoland area!

The Panadería

When entering the bakery, visitors will see wooden cases filled to the brim with treats, bread, cakes, and tortillas. Every day, the workers make these items from scratch and with a lot of love kneaded in the dough. Each time I drop in, I love talking to the ladies working at the register. Picking out my favorite foods and spending some time engaging with people is always such a comforting part of the trip!

Starting the process is simple: grab a tray, some tongs, and go pick out your desserts!

Prices for bolillo and telera, which are freshly baked breads, are very inexpensive here. These are great for making tortas or pambazos! If you are in need of tortillas, they have cases full of many flavors such as nopal or jalapeño. Walls of mantecadas (muffins), conchas, pastelitos, and donas line the perimeter as well, so you can't avoid bringing home a few treats!

I would say the most popular choices (which I have witnessed) are the sandia cookies, the colorful conchas, and even the manteconchas!

Here is an example of someone's delicious tray:

The Writer's Recs

Need some help picking out your treats? Here is a list of my absolute favorite items:

• Pan de elote: this is a type of cornbread, made from maize. It comes wrapped in a tamal and ready for you to eat. I love it because this mini cake is dense and delicious!
• Palotiado: Also known as Elephant ears! These pastries are flaky, buttery, and very tasty!
• Corazon de Canela: This galleta (cookie) is a great pair to coffee in the morning!
• Ojo de buey: A classic sweet bread! I love ojos because they are crispy and filled with sweet cream and other delicious toppings.

Please support your local businesses and check out their baked goods using the link below: