So good and just like I remember after all these years. I got naticas, capucinos, beef pasteles, and beef empanada and I can recommend them all. I don't know who else even makes capucinos (not the drink, it's like a syrup soaked sponge cake of sorts). The staff was great but parking can be difficult. read more

Mara Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Elizabeth, New Jersey

I've been coming here for many years. During the pandemic that lasted 3 years, I haven't been here until now. I ordered 2 cannoli, 1 small cuban bread, 4 pastelitos de carne (meat patties which are small round phillo pastry with a Cuban style meat filling, topped with a sugar glaze), 1 rice pudding and 2 Cuban sandwiches. The cannoli tasted great. I ate 1 of the pastelito, tasted like I remembered. All these items cost $33. At home, I ate 1/4 of one of the Cuban sandwich (which I couldn't finish) and noticed the pernil (roasted pork shoulder) tasted bland. It felt like something was missing. I opened the sandwich and there is Swiss cheese, ham, pernil, and a sliced pickle. I didn't see the mustard and it was not buttered. I removed the pernil, adjusted the flavors by cooking it in garlic butter, adobo and a little sofrito. I placed it back into the sandwich, along with some mustard on the bread and extra sliced pickles. Heated it in a pan with some butter on the bread. Now we're talking about having an authentic Cuban sandwich. The cannoli and meat patty tasted spot on, but not the Cuban sandwich. Overall, the counter ladies were nice, attentive, food was very fresh and tasted good. Except for the Cuban sandwich that needed to be modified. read more

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The journey to getting our perfect wedding cake wasn't an easy one. We wanted to make sure the dessert for our big day was able to tell a story of who we are as people and where we come from. It also had to be delicious. We decided that it would be based on my late father in law's favorite dessert: coffee crumb cake wedding cake. A fairly unorthodox concept. Our ideas were outright refused by two bakeries who didn't want to attempt it and then a third bakery made it pretty clear they didn't want to work with a nontraditional couple. It was months of talking with different bakeries who were either trying to guide us towards a mottre standard (and frankly boring tasting) cake or ones who didn't want to work with us. Then we got in contact with Mara bakery and we were assured that our wedding would be complete with our dream cake. The consultation appointment was as much a collaborative effort of our ideas as it was the owners shaping them with their years of expertise in the pastry field. They assured us that not only were ideas possible but made amazing suggestions regarding on the best ways to accentuate the flavor and texture of the classic crumb cake into the larger form of a wedding cake as well as how to structure it so it would keep well until the end of the night. What resulted was delicious and everyone at the wedding either asked outright or sent us messages for the name of the bakery to request similar in the future. The price point was affordable, the delivery was prompt and didn't need much more coordination than telling them the date and venue. It was an incredible experience to work with Mara bakery and we will definitely be going back to them for every major event in our future. read more

Mara Bakery - Photo of the coffee crumb cake wedding cake. - Bakeries Near Me - Elizabeth, New Jersey

Very disappointed, service was good, but the pastries seemed old. The selection of pastries was not so wide. No croquetas, the Cuban coffee was awful, stale and watered down. We got some of the pastries to go and one looked molded. read more

I am COMPLETELY DISGUSTED at the lack of customer service. I tried calling 2 days in a row to inquire about going to this establishment to purchase some items for Christmas desserts. I tried calling the 23 all day finally got thru the woman that answered advised me the pastry chef had gone home and hung up did not give me the chance ask another question! I tried to get thru once again and they Díos not respond. The whole morning, early afternoon on the 24Dec I continued to try soak to someone NO ONE ANSWERED. I Don't know if I'll ever go here simply because of the lack of good service and disrespect the idiot that answered the phone. Unbelievable how they run a business in this fashion... read more

really slow service ,they really take their time on giving service, food it's good though,

parking is hard. went there to try empanadas but unfortunately they do not have them late morning. But their Cuban meat patties are good. Almost like empanadas. I would recommend the patties to everyone to try them. read more

i love being Cuban we like a secret society hard to find sometime hahaha . i moved to NJ this year and i said i need to find pastelitos de carne before i go crazy ! the service - from the reviews i previously read y'all didn't lie and if the establishment doesn't care to change the service then it reflects poorly on them and shows how they view customers . the food - 7 out of 10 , pastelito de carne and a hot chocolate . i'm used to flacky and warm pastelito de carne and the glaze is perfectly spread on the top ... y'all it was good don't get me wrong but the meat inside it was like mush & i don't think it was fresh to be honest probably from the day before . they have it sitting in the warmer but you can tell it's not on at all .. when i took a bite it was cold and hard . the hot chocolate was bussin' though lmaoo . conclusion - if the service was at least pleasant i'd probably continue to give them business and give it another try and even bring my whole family but honestly i'll save the trip . read more

We've been coming to this Spanish bakery for years. Good espresso & a lot of delicious fresh pastries, cakes, bread & crackers. The natas are also very good. read more

Mara Bakery - Cafe con Leche - Latte - Bakeries Near Me - Elizabeth, New Jersey

Pastries and service are ok but the wait time is horrible . They serve ur basic Spanish and American pastry but u have to take a number an the 2 girls behind the counter barley speak English an are not very fast . Parking is always horrible because their located on the corner of a busy street . We come sometimes only cause we live close by but it's not a place to brag about read more

Mara Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Elizabeth, New Jersey

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Our go to for traditional Latin Baked Goods. Have been going here for nearly 30 years. Everything is always fresh and delicious. I can't even say what is our favorite since it's all sooooo good. read more

Mara Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Elizabeth, New Jersey

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This bakery is located on a corner of the main Street in Elizabeth which is Elizabeth Ave. I have been coming here for years, since childhood. They are known for their meat pies and guava pastries. To this date, best Cuban meat pies and guava pastries hands down. No bakery in New Jersey compares to this one. Don't miss this little treasure in the city of Elizabeth. You won't regret it! read more

as he wrote he loves cuban food and men,and pastries he's from india but raised with cuban men read more

Mara Bakery - He's from India he loves all kinds of Cuban FOOD and MEN,PASTOR - Bakeries Near Me - Elizabeth, New Jersey

This is the worst place to get coffee and have breakfast, staff is rude don't know how to treat costumers. I ordered two black coffees to take for my coworkers and wanted the milk separately as I didn't know how they like their coffee, the lady that was taking care of my order said milk is extra charge, with that said that is not what bothered me I could have paid the extra charge (even though in any other coffee place I have never herd such thing) she had an attitude about it and said is either that or I will give you less than half of a small cup of coffee and a full glass of milk on the side. Never again I will step a foot in this establishment and I hope the owner reads my review and let's go of such incompetent staff. Costumer service is always the most important part of a business no matter how good coffee or food is it all fails if you get treated wrong. Este es el peor sitio para comprar café oh tomar desayuno, los trabajadores son groseros no saben como tratar a los clientes. Yo ordene dos cafés negros para llevar a mis compañeros de trabajo y pedí que me dean la leche por separado porque no sabía como preferían el café mis compañeros, la mujer que me estaba atendiendo me dijo le leche por separado se cobra aparte no incluido con el precio del café con eso dicho no me molesto que cobren extra (aunque en ningún otro lado donde vendan café yo aya oído eso) lo que me molesto es que ella tenia una mala actitud y dijo es eso oh le daré menos de la mitad de un vaso pequeño y la leche en un vaso lleno aparte. Nunca jamás pondrá un pie en este establecimiento y espero que el dueño lea my comentario y despida esa trabajadora tan incompetente. Servicio al cliente es lo más importante de un negocio porque no importa que tan rico sea el café oh comida todo se viene abajo si te tratan mal. read more

You may as well know now, I'm halfish Cuban. From the Spanish side of the family. We halfish Cubans know a thing or two about sugar. Treats from Mara Bakery have been a Cuban staple of every birthday party, sacrament celebration, Christmas gathering, Hallmark holiday, gotta bring something to that dinner party, and just 'cause it's today events since I was two years old. I've done some math and I think I've eaten thousands upon thousands of their pastries over the past [mumble] years. Mara Bakery is like family. So, with love and in gratitude for their contribution to my smile and tooth decay, I will share them with you, dear yelper buddies. The guava and cheese pastries at Mara are all kinds of mmmhmm. On trips to New York from SF, I make the pilgrimage all the way out to the ghetto-ass end of Elizabeth Avenue in Elizabeth, NJ to bring home two dozen of these hellyeahs as my carry-on. Then I get a separate two to eat in the cab on the way to the airport, and I make sure the nice lady pulls them from the back, fresh and warm and gooey out of the oven. I wash the ohbabys down with a cortadito, extra sugar. When I was an amateur -- a rookie -- I tried their other offerings. While they were delicious, I went guava and cheese all the way as a pro. Center display, bottom shelf. I don't mess around. I remember when the pastries cost 15 cents apiece -- today, they're something like 75 cents. They're worth ten times that, 'cause, really, what price happiness? read more

It was My job to get desert for Easter Sunday. I went to My Moms favorite bakery in hackensack NJ. The place was FILTHY!! Then a friend recommended Mara. First , the place was extremely clean. The glass that houses the pastry was SPOTLESS!! We bought an entire strawberry Cheesecake. It was Amazing!!!!! It's My family's new favorite Bakery. We are in West Jersey about 45 minutes away but well worth the drive read more

Cuban bakery on Elizabeth Ave...not really a rarity or anything, but Mara is pretty good nonetheless. I've had their pastelitos (guayava, guayava con queso) and they are good, but flat. If you've ever been to Miami, you'll know a good pastelito when the dough is flaky and airy, and the guava oozes out regardless of the temperature...the ones at Mara have the right flavor, but are kind of flat and lack the flaky airiness that constitutes a true pastelito. I've also had their Cuban bread, which was delicious except for the fact that it didn't come with butter...I had to ask the lady and she initially said no but then came out with a little scoop of butter on a napkin. I thought that was really odd, and very abnormal for a Cuban bakery. Either way, this place is always pretty popular in the mornings, mostly with locals. I come here because it's literally walking distance from my house and I enjoy feeling like I'm home (in Miami) even though I'm not. :) read more

There are a lot of bakeries in this area of Elizabeth, but Mara is the best. We usually get all our dessert needs from Mara for church functions, and their Cuban Bread (especially if it is right out of the oven), is so good. I usually treat myself to a pastel with guayaba when I come here :) read more

While the baked goods and coffee are good, the service is absolutely HORRENDOUS! Staff is VERY unprofessional, and has a very poor attitude. I'd rather go spend my hard earned money elsewhere. read more

Mara Bakery What can I say, I have been going for yearsssss....It was a lot better long time ago. Still good but not what is was once. Years ago we had a lot more Cubans in the area, where if the store did not live up to the CUBAN standard they would have been run out of town. I go mostly for the Café con leche, Spanish for "coffee with milk". For those in the know they know! For those that don't, sorryooo. It is my favorite all day and night. I have had it in a lot of places and I find it the most consistent here. More similar to the Italian caffe latte than to the French café au lait, café con leche is a coffee beverage consisting of strong or bold coffee (espresso) mixed with scalded milk and lots of sugar. Okay so maybe not lots but it is best that way. The best-ist way it to buy a bag of the Cuban crackers, crunch them up into a tall glass and pour the Café Con Leche all over it. It is heaven in a glass and brings me back to sitting in front of the TV on a Saturday morning watching Mighty Mouse as my mommy would bring me this glass from paradise. And isn't that what it's all about? The Cuban bread is good and most of the pastries. I would say they rank in the 75% to 80% and I think I am being kind only because it is part of my past. Reality it's in 70% to 75%. It does get busy and they work the crowd okay. The show is mostly the folks walking in and out. Everything from dress for church to those who should have never left the house. I mostly pick up my order and leave. Now and again I do sit in the few stools they have and watch for a bit as I have my coffee. My (none Cuban) friends love the meat pies and their Cuban pastries (known in Spanish as pasteles or pastelitos). They can be filled with all kinds of fruits. Most Cubans fill them with guayava or guayava and cheese. The flavor is on point but I have had better. I don't have the meat pies not because they are not good but because I can make them better and I will always find the wrong in them. All aside they are good. I would say to pop in if you are in the area but don't travel out of your way... Remember to always drink reasonably Crazy Cubano Out. read more

An updated review for Mara Bakery. I've had the pleasure of tasting their succulent empanada (meat pastry) a couple of times. I've never been to their place but a coworker always brings one every so often. I'll be planning a trip here real soon on my own! read more

Let me tell you folks that Since my family arrived from Cuba in 1971 and we moved to Elizabeth I remember going to Mara Bakery, it was a different world then Elizabeth was comprised of alot of :), CUBANS especially the avenue. Mara was in its hay day then the owners were... CUBAN and the pastries like some have commented had no rivalry with anything made in Miami. Unfortunately that was 40 years ago and if you know what I'm talking about, all the old Cubans that had come to Elizabeth then, and opened businesses have left or died off. Mara bakery is no longer owned and operated by Cubans and as good as it still is because i still stop and get my dozen pasteles de carne and pan cubano etc, etc it changes when the recipes are the only thing to follow when making the product, there are things that just don't pass down when that happens. GOOD MEMORIES but not the same. read more

My father has been the baker at mara for 32 years ..... the pastelito de carrne and los pasteles de guayava ... he makes them ..... ty for the enjoyment of my fathers baking ......by the way they call hin tigre read more

My favorite bakery there is. The quality of their products is impeccably fresh and delicious. They have some of the best pastries I've ever had! read more

HIGHLY UNPROFESSIONAL BUYERS BEWARE: I went to order a wedding cake at Mara Bakery. I explained to Maria the attendant, what I wanted on the cake. I specifically explained to her that I wanted Whipped cream and not Butter cream. My wedding date came June 9th 2007 they were suppose to arrive @ 1pm but they arrived late @ 3:15pm. I went to serve the cake to my guests and no one ate the cake due to the fact that the cake was way too sweet. Also my wife is allergic to butter cream. The cake was returned to the bakery Monday June 11th. We were told as per Maria that she was going to talk to the owner to see what can be done. After a few days of not hearing from them, I decided to go in person to see what was going on, I went on Thursday spoke to the irresponsible owners they refused to refund or at least partially refund the money that was paid for the cake. We were given many excuses, and they kept on going off the topic. The unprofessional owners did not take ownership of their employees mistake or even offer to correct it. They offered to bake me a small cake but it was too little too late, it should of been perfect on my wedding day not after it. BECAREFUL there quick to take your money and can't correct their mistakes and make many excuses to correct it read more