My friend Dr. Ricky has long said that there should be a comprehensive list of all the wonderful ethnic bakeries in town. I don’t disagree, and in fact that’s a list for another time.
Today, however, we’re focusing on all the different forms and varieties of bakeries in Houston. And while that includes a few of the choice ethnic spots, we’ve also kept the list to bakeries that have permanent storefront locations, so you can swing by and grab a pandan waffle or marble rye for yourself.
What to get here: Pandan waffles (pictured above), sesame seed balls and Vietnamese coffee.
What to get here: fancy pastry-laden opera trays, king cakes at Mardi Gras and cheeseburgers. Yes, cheeseburgers.
8. French Riviera Bakery & Cafe
What to get here: Chocolate croissants, the Wu Brothers’ famous farmhouse loaf and baguettes.
What to get here: Baby cakes, any of the impossibly moist sponge cakes and as many Super Q Kawaii pastries as you can load on your little red tray.
6. Ooh La La
What to get here: Cupcakes, cupcakes and more cupcakes. Oh and red velvet cheesecake. YES.
What to get here: Almond croissants, marranitos, tres leches and whatever chef/owner Trancito Diaz has made special for the day. Just ask. And don’t forget a bag of cafe de olla to go with it all.
4. El Bolillo
What to get here: Bolillos, obviously. But also churros, tortillas and sweet empanadas.
3. Kraftsmen Bakery (or Kraftsmen Cafe)
What to get here: Breakfast sandwiches on freshly baked bread, boules or pane pugliese.
What to get here: Beautifully braided challah, onion rolls and seeded rye bread: All the Jewish greats are represented at this third-generation bakery.
1. Hot Breads
What to get here: Mango cake, salt and/or masala cookies, chicken tikka-filled croissants, mango lassis and pretty much everything the place sells. All of it.
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This article appears in Dec 8-14, 2011.