Pan Artesanal

Had lunch at this crazy good bakery.
Sandwiches were good but the real stars are the pastries. Tried the coconut tres leches cake, and two other flaky, croissant-like pastries, one filled with cajeta and the other with guava & cheese. They were all great. There was plenty more sweet temptation in the display case awaiting a future visit. Breads also looked wonderful.

Pan Artesanal
3724 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
https://www.panartesanalbakery.com

I appreciate the heads up. There are quite a few Mexican/Latin bakeries clustered in that area (list below) and I've tried a bunch of them but I hadn't come across this one yet. Gotta give it a try soon.

Thanks,

=R=

Panaderia La Canasta (my favorite of those I've tried so far)
3575 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 489-7955

La Estrella
3309 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 772-1861

La Perla Tapatia Bakery - Jimenez
3800 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 235-5016

Latin American Bakery
3736 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 489-7712

I've become a big fan of this place. They're only open from 8:00 AM to Noon on Saturday and Sunday.


If you want a decent selection of pastries, plan on waiting at least half an hour. It's worth it. Get there early for the best selection - they get hit hard every day they're open.


There are a few tables inside and two picnic tables outside, but most people take their stuff to go.





The theme across most of the pastries is Mexican flavors and French technique. Some of the items are a bit more subtle about it than others. The chili relleno croissant is not subtle in any way.

Hibiscus croissant


Guava and cheese croissant


Mixed berry cruffin

I forget what this one's called but it was something related to a churro

Pear and frangipane

Some of the pastries are not related to anything French

The cinnamon roll is one of the best I've had in Chicago


Right now, there are all sorts of pan de muerto available. This was guava and I, not a guava lover, thought it was fantastic. They are currently taking pre-orders for much larger ones for pickup on 11/2.

While Pan Artesanal is primarily there for the pastries, they do have savory options.

Chilaquiles are made to order and they're excellent. They also have tacos, quesadillas, and tortas. I haven't tried any of those or the the non particularly Mexican sandwiches served on housemade baguettes.


They had these very good Oaxacan tamales last winter, but I haven't seen them in my 3 summer visits. Maybe they'll return this winter?

I wouldn't wait half an hour for savory food there but the closer it gets to closing time, the shorter the waits are. Those tamales came on a visit with no line when I showed up at 11:30 AM and the pastry cases looked like early Covid grocery store shelves.