Duran's Bakery — Restaurant in Pico Rivera

I have been coming here since about 1994 when I was introduced to Mexican cuisines by a wonderful girl I was dating. She took me to places that were the best and how to taste for good and bad Mexican foods.

Even though I was living in Pomona and surrounding cities until I enlisted in the Army, I would even make sure I came here when I was on leave. Then I moved to New York but never forgot this place. Pan dolce in Brooklyn and Queens is no comparison. So I would bring back pan from Durans Bakery. I shared my story with the folks at Durans, and I was mentioning how awesome Italian and Jewish pastries were in New York. Then, every month, I would bring back those pastries with mozzarella balls and bagels to share with my friends and family and, of course, Durans bakery. When I returned to NY, it was with In n out burger and durans who always packed the boxes with care for the long journey back.

Then 9/11 happened.

Wasn't as frequent, but I managed to make visits to durans and bring to New York all the pastries I could and vice versa.

I moved back to California after Iraq and military in 2005 to Ventura County, where i met my wife. I had introduced her to this place. She fell in love with the goods and the folks in the back. Always yelling out PRIMO, PRIMO to me, when I walked in. Had that VIP feel. But that's loyalty after 20 years of patronage.

Then Covid happened. Our diets changed, and the family got older. Kids were in school and had school stuff and sports. Our time wasn't there for a while.

We went to Aquarium of the Pacific for a family day. On our way home to Westlake Village, I suggested to my wife to stop by Durans. She had a huge smile and responded,'porque no', and here we embarked on the 45-minute detour

I knew EXACTLY where I was going. Parked, went inside what I knew was Durans Bakery from 5 years prior.

Now the place has a restaurant. But thankfully, the pan dolce was still there.

Some skinny kid was helping me. I had started to order a LOT until my wife explained to the skinny kid about NY and the years I have been coming here. Then he replied, "You're the one? We heard about you." I was slightly taken aback by the 'celebrity status' ( it's the little things in life). Then he introduced himself as the new owner.

Well, he explained to me the change of ownership and his vision. I had stopped my order from 10 lbs of goodies to just a small box. I said I would try a little in case the taste changed. He said it hadn't because he didn't want to lose his loyal customer base. I understood, and that's a great business move. Don't fix it if it ain't broken.

He offered me a taste of chilaqules, which I declined. (I have been traumatized from a previous relationship by chilaquiles, so i never had it again.)

Well, after a 45-minute conversation with the new owner (the skinny kid and if you're reading this, forgive the description). We had departed on our way home.

Sunday morning, the pan dulce was gone. All of it. GONE. this was as good if not better. The pastries his mom made.. I think he said mom, I could be wrong. They were flan and some other refrigerated goodies. But they, too, were amazing.

Durans Bakery did NOT disappoint.

This is the moral of the story. This long, long story.

Please visit Durans. They will not disappoint.

Their success will continue. I will still be loyal and be on the receiving end of that success by enjoying the best Pan Dulce I have ever had in my short life. 30 years and still counting.

I am disappointed, however, at longer making cakes especially, tres leches.

GO TO DURAN'S BAKERY. cookies. You need and want cookies. You want cookies. You will have cookies. Get cookies. Lots and lots of cookies.

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I'll admit it! I was drawn to this place because of their daily lines to get it. When I finally got inside I ordered the highly recommended chilaquiles and I can't describe how much buyers remorse I felt the second that food touched my lips. The taste was okay but the food temperature was room temp at best. The only parts that were lukewarm was the parts under the fried egg. I thought I was being pranked and maybe, just maybe, this was a fluke and it was only my plate. Wrong! My dates plate was cold and two strangers sitting by us also had cold chilaquiles. I noticed that the people that we talked to were also first time goer's, didn't get the pleasure of speaking with returning customers to ask them wtf is wrong with their taste buds and their desire for...

Let's talk Tamales. I grew up in pico and used to buy tamales all the time back in the 80's . They were so good I'd eat two in my car before leaving. Sometime in the 90' s the recipe changed . No flavor. It's been since the 90's since I've been back and let me tell you they are not good tamales especially when you know what they used to be. They were dry, hardly any filling . The Taste of the little meat in it was yummy but scarce . Pan Dulce is yummy though.How about you bring back the moist Masa from the past and fill them tamales. For the price you charge we should...