If it looks as if Pinecrest Bakery is popping up in every single place in South Florida, it’s trigger they’re, and I’m right here for it. I’ve been a fan since day one, so let me inform you all about it.
Fast Information – Pinecrest Bakery (Westchester)
Pinecrest Bakery
📍 8318 SW fortieth St, Miami, FL
📞 (786) 432-0006
🌐 pinecrestbakery.com
📸 Instagram | Fb
🕒 Hours: Solar–Sat: 5:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Earlier than Pinecrest, There Was Pastelmania
To grasp Pinecrest Bakery, I’ve to take you again to 2010, throughout Miami’s meals truck growth. I used to be consuming at La Camaronera in Little Havana when David, the proprietor, requested if I’d ever tried the pastel de guayaba from throughout the road at a spot known as Pastelmania. Honestly, I hadn’t even heard of it but.
I walked over and ordered one. Buttery, flaky, and loaded with guava—growth, I used to be hooked. The following day, I skipped La Camaronera fully and headed straight for the pastelitos. Who’s standing inside after I stroll in? David, laughing, “So now you’re simply skipping my place altogether?” We each cracked up.
After which it occurred once more the following day—there I’m grabbing pastelitos for my mother and father, and David walks in once more. Busted. Twice.
From Pastelmania to Pinecrest: The Joel Rodriguez Story
Joel Rodriguez ran Pastelmania on the time. He finally moved the bakery into a bigger location a half block over, and that’s the place he started experimenting with croquetas—sure, these Pinecrest Bakery croquetas. When Joel and his spouse separated, additionally they parted methods in enterprise. She continued operating Pastelmania, and nonetheless does right now.
The Start of Pinecrest Bakery
Enter Efrain Valdes.
Efrain and Joel shared a love for Cuban tradition and meals, and in 2013, they opened the very first Pinecrest Bakery. The identify? It was speculated to be a one-off location in Pinecrest. However the individuals needed extra. Much more. Quick-forward to now, and there are over 25 Pinecrest Bakery areas throughout South Florida.
This weblog submit was written to mark the grand opening of their twenty fifth location—proper in Westchester, the neighborhood I grew up in and the place my mother and father nonetheless stay. You will discover an inventory of all of their areas HERE.
What to Eat at Pinecrest Bakery
Let’s lower to the chase. Right here’s what to attempt if you step into Pinecrest Bakery:
Croquetas (Don’t Skip These)
Begin with the croquetas. Heavier than most, and sure—they make them in-house. These aren’t some frozen, store-bought nonsense. They’re the true deal.
Pastelitos: Guayaba Is King
You possibly can’t go unsuitable with something within the heat pastry case, however should you’re asking me, the pastel de guayaba remains to be my prime choose. The cheese pastelito is an in depth second, and they don’t skimp on the filling.
Sandwiches That Hit the Spot
Pinecrest Bakery’s bread is made to be pressed, so sure—get the sandwich. My go-to is the ham and cheese croissant: stuffed, not stingy. I additionally love the pan con tortilla with eggs, ham, onion, and Swiss—pressed.
Then there’s the chorizo sandwich: Swiss, chorizo, ham, and typically I throw in mayo and mustard. Bizarre to some, but it surely works.
The Unsung Hero: Esponrru
If you understand, you understand. The Esponrru is a sponge rusk soaked in rum—moist, flavorful, and dangerously good with a café con leche. You’ll discover these on the counter as a grab-and-go merchandise, however warning: they go quick. If you happen to see one, get it.
Pinecrest Bakery’s Culinary Spine: Chef Claudio Bravo
Pinecrest Bakery—and their two full-service eating places, Guayaba in Doral and Goulds—have Claudio Bravo on the helm. Sound acquainted? He was the chef at La Camaronera. Small world, huh? Claudio is aware of what he’s doing, and it reveals in each chew, from croquetas to croqueta preparada.