- Panecito y Café My girlfriend and I stopped at Panecito y Café while driving through Bakersfield on our way to Los Angeles. After comparing several review sites, we chose this spot because it was conveniently located near the freeway and had a great selection of coffee and baked goods. I'm glad we did because it ended up being an excellent stop. Parking was easy, with plenty of open spaces right in front of the bakery. When we walked in, we were greeted by a very friendly staff. Most of the employees primarily spoke Spanish, which is pretty common for an authentic Mexican bakery. Thankfully my girlfriend speaks Spanish, which made ordering easier, though everyone was still welcoming and helpful. The layout is nice. There's a small dining area on one side, while the other side features the coffee counter, a small selection of Mexican grocery items, and display cases packed with fresh pastries and breads. The selection is impressive. They had conchas, empanadas, croissants, yoyos, polvorones, muffins, churros, cinnamon rolls, pineapple cakes, Mexican donuts, vanilla and pineapple pastries, niño envuelto, cannoli-style pastries, and many other traditional baked goods. I ordered the apple empanada, which was excellent, along with another pastry that my girlfriend explained was topped with a cream cheese and butter mixture covered in sugar. It was incredibly sweet, but absolutely delicious. For drinks, I ordered the large Carlos V iced coffee, and my girlfriend ordered the Duvalín coffee, which is inspired by the popular Mexican candy. We both really enjoyed our drinks. One thing I thought was especially nice is that the specialty coffees come with a small conchita on top, making them an even better value. At around $7.95 for a large, it's a great deal considering you're getting both a specialty coffee and fresh bread. Their coffee menu is extensive. Beyond their specialty drinks, they also offer lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos, mochas, macchiatos, espresso, frappes, hot chocolate, iced hot chocolate, teas, lemonades, aguas frescas, and plenty of flavored syrups like vanilla, hazelnut, brown sugar, cinnamon, caramel, coconut, white chocolate, and chocolate. I also used the restroom during our visit, and it was spotless. It was so clean that I actually went back and told my girlfriend she should use it before we got back on the road because it was one of the cleanest public restrooms we'd come across that day. Overall, this was a fantastic stop. Easy parking, friendly service, clean facilities, excellent coffee, and an outstanding selection of authentic Mexican pastries. I would absolutely stop here again anytime I'm passing through Bakersfield and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great Mexican bakery and coffee shop. read more