El Recreo Bakery — Restaurant in Margate

I was so anxious to get some of the pastries and cakes pictured on the website for El Recreo Bakery on State Road 7 off Southgate in Margate. I wanted that Cuban pastry. I drove there. I parked easily and entered to a long line of people for the Cuban sandwiches for takeout. I looked around for the cakes and pastries. I only saw a small tray of turnovers so I asked the woman behind the counter "what kind of filling are in the turnovers". She answered that I had to wait my turn. I continued to look in each display case for fresh pastries, but all I saw was packaged cookies, and crackers in plastic wrap like you find in a supermarket. I left without seeing and any cakes, baked goods or fresh pastries. I was very disappointed at the lies of a bakery, that was really a CUBAN DELI/Restaurant serving cubano sandwiches. They need to change their sign. The worst thing was the worker who couldn't tell me what kind of filling in the turnovers...

Oh my goodness, this place is good.

Sure, it’s tucked in a less then attractive shopping strip center… driving by, you might think you are going to a place that isn’t right.

But’s it’s okay, because this place is where you want to be.

I love a good sandwich, a good Cuban is something which I love too, it’s like the right meat combination, and if the bread is great, then you just won something that you didn’t deserve. Here, the bread they use really sets it off. The bread holds the juices of the meat, but the crust is just that perfect, crunch, without the need for munching down.

This is a quick review, but look, this is a SERIOUS HIDDEN GEM, go here and eat it, because you will be pleased with the simple, but...

I loved this place the minute I walked in. The ladies had their hair in a net. They had old school Spanish music on. Old school menu on the wall. No QR Code menu here. But they got it if you’re into that. But if you want an old school Cuban spot to get your coffee and sugar fix this is the place. Santa Barbara watches over everyone. Even the young girl working the counter reminded me Of my grandmother. This is a nice wholesome place. Nothing fancy except great coffee and a great pastel de guava. I ordered, I sat, I drank, I ate and they didn’t ask for payment first, like is the tradition today, considering it was my first time there. I will come again and explore the menu more. Stand by. More...