La Casita Bakeshop — Restaurant in Richardson

First, the good: the service. The staff was incredibly welcoming and warm. I came solo with two young children, and the hostess helped open the door for me and my server went above and beyond. To any mom with young kids, this is worth its weight in gold. At the end of our breakfast, I ordered some pastries to go. I thought the boxes were quite large for the order I had placed, but didn't think much of it. When I got home, I was pleasantly surprised that they had given me a bunch of extras to try out! What a nice surprise!!!! Five starts for service!

Now the bad: the food is just ho hum, especially the pastries. This is the second time I've visited and felt hugely underwhelmed across the board, which is SO surprising! Ever since living abroad, I've been on the hunt for a great bakery with amazing croissants and sourdough bread. I'm evening willing to drive 30+ minutes on a highway multiple times a week to find my "spot," but this place doesn't deliver. The croissants tasted tough and bread-ish, not flaky, crisp, or tender. The flavor was also lacking, like poor butter or flour quality possibly?! The "pop tart" dough was soggy, and many of the other items like the pesto parm croissant just felt greasy, like the butter had leaked out of the dough. Also the ham and cheese croissant felt like the actual ham and cheese was nonexistent.

On my first visit to La Casita, I had thought maybe the croissants had just gotten stale quickly or lost their crunch in the heat during transport, but that's just not the case. I was in Paris two weeks ago, went to a standard corner bakery and ordered 2 pain au chocolats and brought them back on a 10 hr plane ride. I got in at 4 pm and gave them to my children and husband the next morning for breakfast and they were still DELICIOUS! If I can travel home with croissants and serve them 24 hrs later, surely La Casita's should last a drive across the metroplex! Presumably, it's not the drive but the products themselves from the get go.

Now the bread. Yes, it tastes better than the pastries, but they wrap the loaves in plastic bags that trap the steam inside them, making the loaves weepy, obliterating any possibility of a delicious crunchy crust emblematic of a great sourdough! Why?! Also, the bread is just not my cup of tea. I'm on the hunt for a sourdough bread that has larger air bubbles scattered about, like what comes to mind of the bread from Tartine in San Fransisco. This is not the type of bread that La Casita is serving. That said, this might be what they are going for.

With breakfast... it was okay, but nothing to write home about. For the kids menu, I am really surprised that they are serving a fruit cup in plastic (think Dole fruit cup). If you don't want to serve real fruit (It's costly, I get it!), please find a more creative alternative. Nowadays, moms want their kids to eat fresh food too! Also, when the menu says pancakes with maple syrup, I assume real maple syrup. Most other places will just write pancakes and omit any mention of syrup on a menu if it's the artificial stuff, but when you go out of your way to print "maple syrup", I think it's a bit misleading. The kids pancakes also tasted like they were made with bisquick mix. If I was headed to my local greasy spoon breakfast spot, I wouldn't think much of it, but not here.

Overall, I think I was just expecting a more artisanal experience. I will say the coffee was great! In the end, I write this all with the hope that ownership can really reevaluate their products, so that we can all have access to a better bakeshop in greater Dallas! In the meantime, I'll still be hunting for...

I have a hard time being a “regular” most places, but I never have a hard time returning again and again to La Casita. I’m lucky enough to live nearby and in many ways, I consider this bakery and brunch spot an extension of my home. From the warmth and kindness of everyone that works there (today we were served by Tess and Jesus who provided impeccable service, as always!) to the sweet ambiance and overall good vibes, it is a joy just to be there.

And then there is the food. The cinnamon rolls, cruffins, and croissants already set the bar high, and then their themed monthly specials surpass that! Their limited-time-only pastries incorporate food trends, seasonal ingredients, and encourage food exploration with a number of cultural references that range from Mexico to the Asian diaspora, the tropics, and beyond. It’s inspiring. It is impossible for me to visit and not leave without a big box (or two). The contents never last long. Bussin’ all day, as the kids say.

Brunch here is also a treasure. I love that I can enjoy a meal that the food-nerd in me appreciates for its flavor innovation and technical execution in a casual, non-stuffy atmosphere. I also love that I can bring friends and family who aren’t as adventurous, and there’s something delicious for them too. Jesus also shared that there are weekly brunch specials, each of which give me FOMO (I SO wish I had been in town the week they served kimchi carbonara!) Today it was cherry clafoutis, which enveloped us in its warm, custardy pudding of a hug. Tess brought the drama with a generous pour of vanilla bean crème anglaise to finish just before we dug in. I mean…🤤

It is clear that Maricsa and team incorporate the values of diversity, kindness, inclusion, and belonging in everything they do. As if all of the above weren’t enough delicious reasons to continue to visit, this crew alone cements their place in my heart and as part of my community.

One special request - can the canelés come back? They were the BEST and I don’t know anybody else that makes...

If you're looking for a slice of heaven in the form of a bakery and bistro, look no further than La Casita Bakeshop! Nestled in the heart of Richardson, this locally-owned gem is an absolute delight for anyone with a love for fresh brewed coffee and tea creations, delicious pastries and a creative, delicious brunch menu.

From the moment you step through the door, you're greeted with the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked goodies. The pastries are exceptional; each bite is a taste of perfection. Whether you're indulging in a flaky croissant, a heavenly cinnamon roll, or a moist muffin , you can taste the love and care that goes into every creation.

But it's not just the pastries that make La Casita Bakeshop stand out. Their freshly baked bagels, English muffins and breads are simply outstanding. They can be purchased individually or you can buy them pre-packaged....all baked fresh daily.

Be sure to take the time to sit down and dine in the restaurant. When it comes to brunch, La Casita truly shines. Their menu is as creative as it is delicious, offering a delightful array of options to suit every taste. I personally love the Eggs Benedict – it's hands down the best in town! Two perfectly poached eggs on top of a toasted, home made English muffin and delicately placed over mojo pork and topped with a velvety chimichurri sauce.

I have to give a shout-out to the hard working team at La Casita. Jesus, the manager, is always there to greet you warmly and won't let you leave until you have sampled a new and exciting pastry. The rest of the staff is warm, friendly and know the menu well. They have actually tasted the food and call tell you personally what you can expect.

In a world of mass-produced food or big company owned restaurant chains, La Casita is a true treasure. If you haven't already paid them a visit, do yourself a favor and stop by soon. Your taste buds...