What could be better than standing in a room with walls stocked floor-to-ceiling with pastries? Few things come close; the first day of spring, winning the lottery, finding parking downtown. Still, none of them compares to the sugar rush brought on by Panaderia Evita's sweet breads and flaky pastries.
Step inside, arm yourself with the necessary tools (round metal tray and tongs) and go nuts. Grab a triangular, deep-fried empanada filled with a smooth pineapple custard (instead of the expected preserves) and coated in sugar. Move on to the case crammed full of conchas, which literally translates to "shells" (probably because these sweet breads look like tasty little turtles). The conchas come in a variety of flavors, but Evita keeps it simple with chocolate or vanilla (for less than a dollar you can try them both).
You'll also find a variety of French-inspired breads like baguettes, braided loaves and croissants. If you're used to butter-saturated, sugar-rich American pastries, you might initially be taken aback by the crumbly, dry consistency of Evita's goods. But pair your pickin's with some hot coffee or a tall glass of milk and you'll undoubtedly be frequenting this spot in no time, especially when an entire tray filled to the brim with pastries costs less than $5.
Centerstage Reviewer: Stacy Warden
