Vicky Bakery

My family has been going to Vicky Bakery for as long as I can remember (that's over 20 years...), even after moving to Orlando, they make a point to visit Vicky's every time they go to Miami. This family owned bakery has become a sort-of local chain, but the I've gone to regularly is the one on on 8th Street near the airport.

This location is pretty bare bones, the outside doesn't look like much, but don't let that discourage you, it is the best of all the ones I've tried. They have just about every variety of Cuban pastries you can imagine. If you are unfamiliar with Cuban pastries, think of French pastries, but less delicate and richer, both in flavor, texture and SUGAR. Eclairs with rich vanilla or chocolate filling, flaky sweetly glazed "pastelitos" with guava, coconut or cream cheese, rum-soaked madelienes, "braso gitano" ('gyspsy's arm', a jelly-roll type cake soaked in sweet liquid), Napoleans with a thick layer of dulce de leche on top, chunky and crispy elephant ears... Not to mention a variety of dessert including rice pudding, custard and the *other* dulce de leche (my personal favorite, clotted, sweetened toasted milk clumps. Usually too sweet for people who aren't used to it).

They also have savory pastries, croquttes, sandwiches, Cuban bread, crackers and breadsticks. They also make delicious Cuban coffee, cafe con leche and fresh orange juice.

They also have specials for parties, made to order cakes, and discounts for packages of pasteries.

My personal recomendations for a newbie to Cuban pastries/bakery is to get there early in the morning, have a ham and cheese croissant sandwich with a cafe con leche, and pick a sweet pastery from the large selection. And you can eat it right there at the counter too. But definitely, without a doubt, DO NOT leave without having a ham croquette ("croqueta de jamon"). If you try one thing, and one thing only, make that a ham croquette. Even if you don't like ham, you will love their ham croquettes. It is the #1 item that EVERYONE likes and wants more of! Try one and then you'll want to buy the 25 pack of "mini" croquettes (and I promise they will not last a day!).

And the best thing about Vicky's (especially the one near the airport)? It's cheap! $30 will get you coffee, sandwiches, pastries and a bag-full of goodies (refer to photo...) for 4 hungry people. :) You definitely can't get more authentic than Vicky Bakery!