Panaderia La Central, Logan Square, Chicago
Every morning when I walk to the California Blue Line train stop I have to resist the delicious smells coming out of Panaderia La Central, a Mexican bakery. Especially on a really cold day… it smells extra yummy then.
One day I will take photos of the interior too, but when you go in all of the baked goods are on shelves that line the walls and are down the middle of the store. You grab a tray and a tongs and take whatever you want. Nothing is marked so if you’re not super familiar with Mexican pastries it can be a bit of an adventure. Every time my dad visits he loves to go to the bakery and grab 10 different things to bring back to us and try. Just about everything is $0.50 per pastry. Some pastries we’ve had from the bakery were good, some were meh. You just have to chance it. Also, we’ve learned that most baked goods are better if you go in the morning and not, say, for an after dinner treat. Oh, and things run out. One night I went in at about 7 p.m. to get a french loaf and they were all gone.
Even though the smells taunt me, I like having this bakery so close to the train and our house.
Felix has Panaderia La Central interior shots and more discussion.
I’ve stopped in there a couple times after hitting Taqueria Moran for lunch — there things I’ve tried were pretty good for $0.50/ea.
I enjoy going there.It reminds me of a few bakerys use to go to when I was younger then 60.
Dad
Benjy – do you LOVE Taqueria Moran? We do. We kind of overdosed, though, so we’re cooling it a bit now.
Dad – I was going to say we have to take you to the taqueria, but then I remembered, of course, I already took you there. As for the bakery, just remember: Pina = Pineapple!
I’m new to the Logan Square neighborhood and have started finding more and more places since the weather is nice. I LOVE this bakery.