Welcome to Panaderia Y Mercado Hernandez
At Panaderia Y Mercado Hernandez, nestled in South San Francisco, a vibrant tapestry of Latin American culture comes alive. This beloved establishment has served the local Latino community for years, offering a tantalizing array of fresh pan dulce, from polvorones to delicious Salvadoran tamales, all prepared daily. The delightful aroma of baked goods blends seamlessly with the colorful displays of produce and Latin spices. Despite occasional inconsistencies with fresh items, the warmth of the community and the dedication to quality shine through. Stepping inside, you’re not just shopping; you’re indulging in a rich cultural experience that beckons you to return.
-
390 Grand Ave, South San Francisco, CA 94080 Hotline: (650) 588-5182
Welcome to Panaderia Y Mercado Hernandez, a hidden gem located at 390 Grand Ave, South San Francisco, CA 94080. This vibrant bakery and market has been serving the community for years, offering a delightful blend of authentic Mexican, Guatemalan, and Salvadoran pastries alongside an impressive selection of Latin American grocery staples. With a warm aroma of fresh pan dulce wafting through the air, it’s a haven for both locals and visitors searching for a taste of home.
At Panaderia Y Mercado Hernandez, you can expect to find:
- Freshly Baked Goods: Their extensive assortment of pan dulce, including polvorones and orejas, caters to every sweet tooth. Customers rave about the freshness and variety, making it the perfect stop for breakfast or a sweet treat with your coffee.
- Local Produce: The market offers a selection of fruits and vegetables that reflect the local community's needs. Although there may be occasional hits and misses with the produce quality, the affordable prices make it worth a visit.
- Latin American Specialties: Beyond pastries, the market shelves boast a diverse range of products, from Goya seasonings to Salvadoran spice mixes. This makes it easy to recreate traditional dishes at home.
Customer reviews showcase the bakery’s duality: a place of warmth and community with a touch of character. Olivia T. noted the inviting atmosphere, particularly in the morning, highlighting the tempting smell of baked goods while emphasizing the importance of freshness in their produce. On the flip side, Johan S. pointed out a minor hiccup in customer service, reminding us that even the best of places have their off days. However, the star of the show remains the baked goods that keep patrons returning, regardless of small grievances.
As you navigate through the aisles, you’re greeted by cheerful staff donning masks, ensuring safety and health as a priority. The experience at Panaderia Y Mercado Hernandez transcends just food; it’s a snapshot of a community thriving with culture and flavor. Each bite transports you into the heart of Latin America, making it an essential stop when in South San Francisco.
In conclusion, whether you're in search of sweet delicacies, seeking to stock your pantry with authentic Latin flavors, or simply looking for a place to gather, Panaderia Y Mercado Hernandez promises a rich culinary experience that celebrates the traditions of its roots. Make sure to pay them a visit and let the warmth of the oven and the vibrant flavors take you on a delectable journey!
For inquiries, you can reach them at (650) 588-5182.
Dropped by today after my morning coffee at Dead Eye and all the workers were wearing masks. Got some nice looking kale for $1.69. Smells amazing there in the morning from the pan dulce. Good assortment of veggies and fruits. Not giving 5 perfect stars only because the spinach was looking kinda wilted
A local establishment, Panaderia Hernandez has been supplying the local Latino community and its admirers for years. Here, you can buy all your favorite Mexican, Guatemalan and Salvadoran sweet breads (mostly Mexican style though). They do have a great assortment of Latin American products ranging from Puerto Rican Goya seasonings to Salvadoran turkey spice mix and everything in between. I come here for the Pan Dulce breads and Salvadoran tamales that are delivered fresh daily. I also buy my Latin spices here as well.
I went there specifically for their pan dulce since my favorite place was closed. Four stars for having my moms favorite - polvorones. I deducted one star for the slight attitude I got from the cashier. In Spanish, the lady in front of me asked the cashier if they had "orejas" (a type of pan dulce). The cashier said yes, offered to retrieve some for the customer. I wanted an oreja too but couldn't find them. In English, I ask the cashier if she could please get an oreja since I couldn't find them. She asked 'So do you want me to get it?' Yes I did want her to get me one from their trays. I said please and also said I couldn't find it. Why the hesitation? Is it because I asked in English? Should I have spoken in Spanish? (BTW I'm fluent) I will go back since they have my moms favorite pan dulce. Lesson learned: I won't ask for a specific type of pan dulce. It must be a sign I shouldn't eat it.
Full disclosure: We primarily come here for the baked goods and occasionally produce in a pinch. I don't know much about any of the other items on the shelves aside from the fact that they are very tidy and neatly arranged. We love the baked goods here. My favorite is the banana bread pudding, and this pan dulce with chunks of brown sugar in it. They also make some sweets such as caramelized yam candy. The selection is huge, from traditional pan dulce to big cookies with m&ms or chocolate chips, or whole loaves of banana bread. On the downside, the produce is hit or miss -- I've gotten some fruit items that went bad somewhat fast so if you're getting any fresh fruit there, you'll want to use it ASAP.
If you're looking to evoke the old-fashioned vibe of a suburban main street that's close to the city, you should probably take another drag off your doobie, watch a rerun of "Leave It to Beaver", and vote for Trump again. Otherwise, South San Francisco's Grand Avenue gives a more diverse sense of what this country is about with Vietnamese, Chinese, and Mexican cultures residing in harmony with Ed's Diner (no relation to me). Part of the appeal is this Mexican market which draws me in with its abundant produce selection (photo: http://bit.ly/2ntyVoJ), its well-stocked and well-organized shelves, and ah yes, the panaderia. Unless you're at a business that's more purely a panaderia like La Reyna or La Victoria in the city or Bakery El Sol in Oakland, the Mexican baked goods are usually in a single cabinet near the check-out area. But not here. There was an entire wall of cabinets with quite a variety of cookies, cakes, candied fruit (photo: http://bit.ly/2oxzYFN), churros, and sweet breads (pan dulce) (photo: http://bit.ly/2nwFdVz). As is typical practice, you pick up one of their pink trays and a pair of tongs and have at it (photo: http://bit.ly/2n1ui9O). Just remember that the idea is not to cover your whole tray with these goodies unless you have the metabolism of a hummingbird. The overall quality was frankly better than I have experienced in the Mission with my particular favorite a block of simple chocolate cake unadorned with frosting of powdered sugar. If you can get past all the sweets, no small feat, you should take a look at their selection of beans, all in bags and neatly stacked on a shelving unit (photo: http://bit.ly/2nLs5fQ). Or maybe a can of menudo (photo: http://bit.ly/2oq9Lvu) to satisfy your urge for tripe and cartilage. Or maybe not. How about the Moco de Gorila which I thought was a chocolate syrup (photo: http://bit.ly/2ntGXOg)? It turned out to be hair styling product unattractively subtitled "gorilla snot gel". That was a close call, Beav.