Maru Products Artisanal Bakery & More — Restaurant in Bloomington

My second trip to Maru today wasn't just a business meeting, it was a culinary adventure! I had the pleasure of meeting Maru herself, the heart and soul of this lovely restaurant. We all indulged in the irresistible arepas and a mouthwatering empanadas, a perfect symphony of flavors.

My choice, the Pabellon arepa, was a revelation. Imagine a warm, perfectly grilled arepa, cradling a harmonious blend of black beans, tender shredded beef, salty llanero cheese, and sweet, fried plantains. It was a culinary masterpiece, every bite a burst of texture and taste. And the chicken empanada? Equally fantastic, with a crispy crust encasing juicy, flavorful chicken.

Maru's magic extends beyond arepas and empanadas. They also bake a truly exceptional baguette, a testament to their dedication to quality and craft. The crust is perfectly crisp, yielding a satisfying crackle with each bite. Inside, the crumb structure is a thing of beauty, airy and light, with a soft, pillowy texture that melts in your mouth. The contrast between the crunchy exterior and the tender interior is a delight, a textural symphony that elevates the simple pleasure of bread to an art form.

It's clear that every dish at Maru is made with love, a passion that shines through in every ingredient. It was the highlight of my day, a delicious reminder that sometimes the simplest things, like a perfectly crafted arepa, can bring...

I really want to support this place since it is the closest to a Puerto Rican Bakery here in town.

This place started out great but lately they have been very inconsistent. We started out getting really nice sandwiches with lettuce, tomato and pink sauce. Now the lettuce, tomato and pink sauce are extras for $0.50 each. I ordered not long ago and the sandwich had lettuce, tomato and a drizzle of pink sauce not worth $1.50 but I can probably live with that.

Their Venezuelan ham bread is TO DIE FOR but prices change all the time and I think it is expensive to pay $12 for a pastry. No way the Venezuelan ham bread is $6 one day and then $12 the next day you order it.

Anyway, I am no one to price their work but I think they need to reevaluate their model.

I really have faith in this place but I will be taking a break for a bit.

Edit: the business is now blaming me on the confusion about the ham bread. I was the one that received a call cancelling my order of two ham breads that were $6 each because the price suddenly increased to $12. Also, since I did not pay for the lettuce, tomato and pink sauce you did not put any on it…so no, It is...

This is a hidden gem! I came here after reading an article about them in the Indiana Daily Student quite a while ago. It's a very small, intimate, and homely restaurant serving up authentic Venezuelan fare. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.

I ordered some empanadas, a Venezuelan-style chicken sandwich, and a papelon con limon beverage. I found everything to be quite delicious and very freshly prepared. It will be hot!!

I really liked the atmosphere of this restaurant also. They have just the right amount of low lighting, and the music is exclusively Latin, avoiding the undesirable clash between arts and cuisine that is unfortunately common amongst non-American restaurants. If you're lucky, you might even hear the people behind the counter singing...