The bakery and restaurant are side-by-side with street parking in front, north of the building, across the street. Early in the morning is the best time to come for the best selection of baked goods. I decided to buy concha's today, because my daughters were craving pan dulce. The owner is always very serious, hard-working, and kind. Cash preferred especially for smaller orders. read more

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I've been coming to El Merendero for years, usually just grabbing food to go, but this was actually my first time sitting down and eating inside. I came on a Sunday morning so do expect it to be a bit packed, overall the place felt welcoming. I ordered the medium nachos with al pastor which were very delicious, the meat was flavorful, and the portion was generous. Service was friendly and quick, which made dining in a nice change from just picking up my order. Definitely glad I finally sat down to eat here, it gave me a whole new appreciation for a spot I've already been loyal to for a long time read more

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We've been to El Merendero on numerous occasions. First of all, I like the decor which is very colorful and is a great representation of the Mexican restaurant that it is. This time, we came for a late afternoon ~ pre-dinner snack, so the restaurant was not crowded. We started off with complimentary chips and salsa, which were good. What I really like about the menu is that they offer side orders of small plates, so I was able to order 2 hard shell tacos (with nothing else) which was perfect for a snack. JJ ordered a chorizo burrito, which he said was great, and he loved the fact that it was not too greasy. However, he had to take over half home and when he re-heated it the next day, he said his rating of it had gone down a notch. The tacos were really good, crispy with shredded beef. I'd recommend these and would order again. Service was fine and efficient. Convenient parking in parking lot next door. read more

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There is usually parking at their parking lot or across the street when they're packed. I got the fajitas which were super flavorful and i found no fat on the meat, perfect! The portion is huge and served on a hot skillet. Your side if rice/beans/sour cream/ lettuce and tomato come on a separate plate. The agua de pepino was very yummy in this heat but pretty sweet. I asked for a cup with water and i added it to the agua de pepino and it was perfect. I wish they had more options for kids (you have to ask for the kids menu). My parents also enjoyed their meals. The neat thing about this place is that you can bring your pot from home and purchase menudo to go! The service is fast and the restaurant also had a bakery - yummy desserts! read more

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We picked up a pot of menudo w Tendon. Surprisingly pretty good, not mine but probably the best menudo I've had from any Mexican food establishment. The nachos were great too. read more

Small place on the Main Street and we thought it was closed because of the tint on the window but it was open. We were greeted as soon as we walked in and a table was set up for our party of seven. After placing our order the food came quickly (10 minutes or so). Everything was cooked perfectly, large portions and was delicious. We will definitely come back! read more

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The food was pretty good, just too spicy. The waiter brought chips and salsa to everyone at the tables, but skipped out table. The cashier told us that there was going to be chips at the table when we were paying. But there was no chips at the table and they didn't bring us or offers any. The soups were very expensive! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ La comida estaba mas o menos. El posole y El menudo estaban picosos. El cajero nos dijo que ica ver chips en la mesa. Pero no avia ningun chips en la mesa. Y El mesero les llevo chips a cada mesa que Tenga gente menos a nosotros. A la mejor por que yo estava con un morenito. El pozole y el menudo estaban Caro. read more

Stopping by to grab a tres leches cake! I got a slice just to try before buying a whole cake. I loved this tres leches.. i believe it was around $25 for a round cake, they do not write on the cakes which is not a huge deal for me. But it was moist, flavorful, not too sweet, and still held its shape. They have pan dulce and other treats there which i would come back to try. The service was nice and i did not have to wait long. read more

El Merendero - Cakes - Bakeries Near Me - Pomona, California

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Food is just ok, nothing to rave about. Ordered the kids chicken tenders and got Dino Nuggets with fries for $8.50. My other kiddo ordered kids hamburger which had a large piece of burnt grill. See pictures. So sad we will not be coming back. read more

El Merendero - Kids "chicken tenders" are actually Dino nuggets. - Bakeries Near Me - Pomona, California

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The food was absolutely amazingly delicious. The portion not so great, but it was so tasty. Since we walked in the waitress in the front was really kind and patient and attentive. Her name was Vanessa. She definitely made it a good experience for us. Her CUSTOMER SERVICE was impeccable. The restaurant was cleanand temperature was good where we sat. Definitely taking my family there again. read more

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Our usual go to spot for burritos and the horchata.. I put a phone order in for tamales, asada and al pastor burritos with a large horchata. The burritos (meat) was overcooked lil to no flavor. The tamales were dry and had lil meat. I cut into it and the chicken came out. And the horchata ( I should've had tasted it before leaving) seems like it was mixed with something citrus drink. Very disappointing meal this time around. read more

The beef was extremely tough. The nachos only had tough meat, beans and cheese. This was the worst Mexican food I have ever had.

I come for the menudo to go en hoya but man they need to turn on the AC! So hot in there on top of its so small. Get it together turn on the AC read more

El Merendero - Menudo - Bakeries Near Me - Pomona, California

Always the best go to breakfast, delish & always fresh. The food taste like homemade & the place is family ran. The prices are very well priced & they don't charge you any extra for more salsa or chips (they are generous). We always come on the weekends or even through the week to have their delicious huevos rancheros, it's so good. This place does get crowded so come early or you could be waiting. They are connected to a Pan Dolce Bakery that has some of the best sweet breads around. read more

El Merendero - Inside - Bakeries Near Me - Pomona, California

I order a tamale (beef) was very very dried I showed the waitress and she said they had just made them you be the judge read more

El Merendero - Last year's tamale:( Left behind Was in the freezer - Bakeries Near Me - Pomona, California

One of the waitresses light skinned Hispanic women , puts on a smile but purposely leaves out food on our order . And laughs about it with her co conspirator another older lady cook , with glasses . Be aware . It's 5 times to many now . I have been eating here since 1977 and now , I stopped . read more

My mom loves coming here to eat. She had recently had a head injury and has been very forgetful. She had left her purse at this restaurant, and the manager/staff were nice enough to drop off her bag at her house. She didn't even realize she lost it. They now have customers for life!! read more

WATCH THE VIDEO I POSTED. I hate leaving small businesses bad reviews but omg it's really bad. This bakery is located in the heart of down town, and is personally convenient for us. We tried it out for the first time this morning (at around 11:30) and were extremely disappointed. I can hands down say we will not be returning. The customer service was not bad, and the bakery was your typical Hispanic bakery with lots of different breads, cakes, and small pastries. However, the multiple breads we purchased we rock hard. Not just multiple but a variety as well. We went in on a Friday morning expecting fresh bread, and that was further from what we got. The breads were stale, and hard. They were difficult to even bite. I can't even believe we paid for old bread. It doesn't even feel real that a bakery can sell something this unpleasant. I don't know if it might be the lack of proper storage throughout the day, or that the bread was flat out old. But it really made the over all experience a waste for us. We didn't enjoy any of the bread. I wouldn't recommend. read more

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My favorite Mexican restaurant in the Pomona area ! Wet burritos are the BEST! Pandulce is also really good and the tamales

This is the WORST bakery ever!!! I came in on a Friday and placed an order for a congratulations cake and was to be picked up Sunday. I asked the man Will the toppers come with the cake and he said yes. I picked it up Sunday at 2pm and returned it back to the bakery by 3pm and got a refund. It felt like a what I asked for vs what I got. So disappointed cause if they couldn't do the job right then they shouldn't have offered the service. And they had fly's in their bread containers. read more

El Merendero - This is what I asked for. - Bakeries Near Me - Pomona, California

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The food was fair service was sensational. Unfortunately seating and accommodation were not great. Also there was Norteno band playing out side read more

It's been a minute since I was last in Pomona, but I couldn't pass up dropping by El Merendero's. My last review was in 2016. Well, nothing has changed; they are still as good as ever. Had the Chile Verde burrito, wet. Tastes as good as it did 20 years ago. Delicious! read more

The bread is fire and next room over they got great food the posole is bomb and there is a lot of other great food and bars around

El Merendero has good Mexican food. The beef cocido is fresh and flavorful. Their shrimp cocktail is also fresh and tasty. Check it out

There's no place like home and for me, home is where you buy your pan dulce. I've been coming to this place since I was a 9 years old. I'll support it till the day my blood turns into pan dulce. read more

Food is good, ambiance is great... while at the restaurant. Just don't attempt to order to go because owners made a stupid rule recently. They give you chips, but no salsa for them and when you ask for one, they charge you for it. Why don't they just charge you extra and give you what you need. I know inflation is pretty bad and I'm sure most customers will understand the extra charge. Owners make their poor waitresses look bad charging you again. If you get an extra salsa for the chips I'd understand charging extra. Last time I go there. read more

Great food and some of the best Menudo I have had in a very long time. El Merendero is our new go-to spot for authentic Mexican food.

For years this has been the best place to get tamales for the holidays. Not this year. Very dry. read more

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I had the chilaquiles and they were so good the salsa was good and so was the rice and beans . I would recommend I also got a pineapple empanada and it was good as well . The service was fast and good also ! Our food came out super fast. read more

Waited in line for bakery, was behind 3 people saw a young guy holding a baby walk passing whole line. I thought he was working since he went behind the restricted area. Finally my turn and the employee starts helping the young guy I said I had been patiently waiting and the employee told me he helped him ahead of the whole line because he was holding a baby, he said he helps people based on if your holding a baby or "look disabled" So screw the line, I told him you can't make assumptions based on the physical appearance of people and a young man holding a baby shouldn't have been helped ahead of a whole line of people. He did not care he did not apologize. Absolutely ridiculous I will never spend my money here again. read more

The bread here is very dry and hard not very well done. The conchas are very sparsely sugared. Definitely doesn't get your Mexican pastry fix satisfied. I told the baker to sugar the bread better several times but I think they make mass amounts of bread without much care or effort. read more

We've decided to buy our bread locally during the pandemic, and El Merendero's Bakery has a delicious selection of pan dulce, savory bread, some Latin staples (rice, beans, cheese), cakes and other desserts. The tortas are soft and fresh daily, perfect for sandwiches or slicing for garlic toast or bruscetta. The gelatinas are colorful and tasty with bits of fruit. We love the cheese and guava rolls and our son never leaves without his chocolate concha. read more

Disgusting. Bit into a mold covered bread. The inside was so bad. Literally bought this bread yesterday. This place seriously lacks quality control. read more

El Merendero - Bakeries Near Me - Pomona, California

Amazing service! Very sweet! Take the covid procautions VERY seriously! i will definitely come back soon!!

They have GREAT breads, but they rarely make my favorite cookie! The Pan Dulce is fresh and bigger than most places. Plus, they are sanitary and other bakeries allow everyone to touch the trays and tongs. BRAVO read more

I was outraged... i wanted conchas to leave for santa with chocolate abuelita.. We walked to this bakery and they were ALL out by 10 am. Needless to say I was heartbroken bc I had my heart set on that idea. The guava and cheese is a decent size and it's not overly sweet. I'd recommend it. They have candy apples and other little pastries in the display case. I'll update my review once I get a concha read more

BEST Guava & strawberry empanadas! Very affordable! Lots of goodies to pick from. I always order the fruit tart for my family birthdays, they're very large in size and always have the most gorgeous tasty seasonal fruit. The bakery is connected to El Merendero Restaurant which is great as well. I always leave with a full tummy from the restaurant and a paper bag full of goodies from the bakery! Yum!! read more

The food is okay and so are the prices, as well as the portions...the best part is the bakery, in my opinion. LOVE the prices, and how yummy the baked goods are. One set back is how everyone uses the same trays and tongs to grab the goods, and it makes me wonder if they even clean them after each sale... read more

Pan dulce tastes ok if you are lucky enough to get actual fresh pan dulce. I don't know if they make too much and it doesn't sell or that's just their strategy so they don't make everyday. I just don't know. But unfortunately I have never had anything that tastes soft and fresh even though I took a whole bunch, trying a little bit of almost everything that was there. Their prices are ok. Had some sort of white bread cake ( that's what the gentleman at the counter said it was) and it was ok. As for the older gentleman that served me, well he needs to have some patience and work on his communication. One minute he said one thing, the next something completely different. I could go on more about his not so nice attitude but I won't waste my time. Let's just say my visit was a bit more frustrating than I intended it to be. read more

Look no further, the food is delicious, the service is wonderful. I love the pozole and menudo. The pan dulce and the cakes are to die for.