La Monarca Bakery & Cafe South Pasadena Menu

Pan Dulce

Sweet breads stacked on open trays for self-service with tongs, best eaten the day they are baked with coffee or hot chocolate.

• BigoteVegetarianA twisted, mustache-shaped pastry made from laminated dough, brushed with egg and sprinkled with sugar for a crunchy, sweet shell.
• EloteVegetarianPan dulce shaped like an ear of corn, with a sugar topping scored into kernels over a soft, lightly sweet bread base.
• ConchaVegetarian · Popular pickA soft, brioche-like bun topped with a crumbly sugar crust scored into a seashell pattern, sold in vanilla, chocolate, and pink strawberry versions.
• CuernoVegetarianA crescent-shaped sweet roll, somewhere between bread and croissant, with a tender crumb and a sugar-dusted or glazed top.
• OrejaVegetarianPalmier-style puff pastry rolled in sugar and baked into ear-shaped spirals that caramelize into crisp, glassy, buttery layers.
• MarranitoAlso called puerquito or cochinito: a pig-shaped soft gingerbread sweetened with piloncillo and molasses, cakey in texture with an earthy, mildly spiced flavor.
• Ojo de BueyVegetarianNamed for an ox eye, this pastry rings a disc of sponge cake with a coil of flaky puff pastry, offering two contrasting textures in one piece.
• MantecadaVegetarianA Mexican-style muffin baked in a red paper cup, with a fine, buttery crumb, a hint of vanilla or orange, and a sugared dome.

Galletas y Polvorones

Crumbly cookies and small sweets sold by the piece or by the bag.

• CortadilloVegetarianSheet cake cut into squares and spread with bright pink sugar frosting and sprinkles, moist and simple with a vanilla flavor.
• Polvorón de NuezVegetarian · Contains nutsMexican wedding cookies made with ground pecans, baked into small balls and rolled in powdered sugar for a soft, nutty crumble.
• Polvorón TricolorVegetarianA thick shortbread cookie striped pink, white, and yellow or chocolate, with a sandy texture that dissolves into a vanilla-sweet finish.
• Galleta de GrajeaVegetarianA round butter cookie edged in rainbow sprinkles, crisp around the rim and slightly tender in the middle, a favorite with children.
• HojarascaA delicate cinnamon shortbread, traditionally made with lard, tossed in cinnamon sugar after baking; very crumbly with a warm, spiced aroma.
• BesoVegetarianTwo domed, cake-like halves joined with strawberry jam, then rolled in coconut or sugar to resemble a kiss; soft, sweet, and fruity.
• CoyotaA thin, flaky disc from Sonora filled with melted piloncillo, offering a crisp shell and a molten, molasses-like brown-sugar center.

Empanadas y Rellenos

Turnovers and filled pastries, baked or fried, with fruit and sweet cream fillings.

• Empanada de CremaVegetarianA tender turnover holding a vanilla pastry cream filling, dusted with sugar; mild, creamy, and popular with kids.
• Churro RellenoVegetarian · Popular pickA ridged fried churro rolled in cinnamon sugar and filled with cajeta, chocolate, or cream, crunchy outside with a gooey center.
• Empanada de CalabazaVegetarianA half-moon turnover filled with spiced pumpkin cooked down with piloncillo and cinnamon, with a tender, slightly flaky crust.
• Empanada de PiñaVegetarianA sugar-crusted turnover packed with sticky pineapple jam, its soft pastry shell giving way to a bright tropical bite.
• Empanada de CamoteVegetarianFilled with smooth sweet potato purée scented with cinnamon, this turnover is mellow and earthy, with a sugar-sprinkled crust.

Pan Salado y Tortas

Crusty rolls baked several times a day, plus savory items built on them.

• Birote SaladoVegan · Dairy-freeA Guadalajara-style sourdough roll with a thick, crunchy crust and slight tang, the classic base for tortas ahogadas.
• Torta de JamónSavoryA telera split and layered with ham, refried beans, avocado, pickled jalapeños, lettuce, and crema, pressed or served cold.
• Cuernito de Jamón y QuesoSavoryA croissant-style crescent folded with ham and melted cheese, an easy grab-and-go savory breakfast from the bakery case.
• BolilloVegan · Dairy-freeA torpedo-shaped white roll with a crackly crust and soft, airy crumb, used for tortas or eaten alongside beans and coffee.
• TeleraVegan · Dairy-freeA flat, oval roll divided by two shallow grooves, softer than a bolillo and preferred for building wide torta sandwiches.

Postres

Refrigerated-case desserts sold by the slice or cup.

• Pay de QuesoVegetarianA Mexican-style cheesecake on a crumbly cookie crust, lighter and slightly tangy, usually sold by the wedge.
• Arroz con LecheVegetarian · Gluten-freeCreamy rice pudding simmered with milk, cinnamon stick, and sugar, sometimes with raisins, served chilled in cups.
• Pastel de Tres LechesVegetarian · Popular pickSponge cake soaked in a blend of evaporated milk, condensed milk, and cream, topped with whipped cream; very moist and milky-sweet.
• Flan NapolitanoVegetarian · Gluten-freeA firm, silky baked custard enriched with cream cheese and covered in a thin, bittersweet caramel sauce.
• Pan de EloteVegetarianA dense sweet corn cake made from fresh kernels, butter, and condensed milk, with a caramelized top and pudding-like interior.
• Gelatina de MosaicoGluten-freeA colorful dessert of cubed fruit-flavored gelatins suspended in creamy milk gelatin, cool and wobbly with a stained-glass look.

Temporada

Holiday breads and treats that appear around specific celebrations on the calendar.

• Tamales de Rajas con QuesoSavory · Gluten-freeCorn masa steamed in husks around strips of roasted poblano and melting cheese; a holiday-season order often taken by the dozen.
• Rosca de ReyesVegetarian · SeasonalA large, wreath-shaped sweet bread decorated with candied fruit strips and sugar paste, baked for Three Kings Day with a hidden baby figurine.
• Pan de MuertoVegetarian · SeasonalAn orange-blossom-scented sweet bread topped with dough bones and sugar, baked for Día de los Muertos in late October and early November.
• BuñuelosVegetarian · SeasonalThin fried dough discs dusted with cinnamon sugar or drizzled with piloncillo syrup, traditional during Christmas and New Year.
• CapirotadaVegetarian · Contains nutsA Lenten bread pudding of toasted bolillo layered with piloncillo syrup, cheese, raisins, and peanuts, sweet and salty at once.

Salads

Composed salads and bowls, available on their own or paired with half a sandwich.

• Quinoa power bowlVegan · Gluten-freeFluffy quinoa with roasted sweet potato, chickpeas, kale and lemon-tahini dressing; nutty, bright and plant-based.
• Strawberry spinach saladVegetarian · Contains nutsBaby spinach with fresh strawberries, toasted almonds, feta and a poppy seed dressing; a spring and summer favorite.
• Classic CaesarSavoryCrisp romaine tossed in a garlicky anchovy dressing with shaved Parmesan and house-baked sourdough croutons.
• Cobb saladSavoryChopped greens with grilled chicken, bacon, hard-boiled egg, avocado, tomato and blue cheese in tidy rows.
• Greek saladVegetarian · Gluten-freeCucumber, tomato, red onion, Kalamata olives and feta with oregano vinaigrette; tangy, briny and crunchy.
• Harvest apple pecan saladVegetarian · Contains nutsMixed greens with sliced apple, candied pecans, dried cranberries and goat cheese in a maple vinaigrette.

Drinks

• HorchataVegetarian · Gluten-freeChilled rice drink blended with cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar, sometimes with almonds; milky-white, lightly gritty, and cooling on a hot afternoon.
• Agua frescaVegan · Gluten-freeFresh fruit blended with water, lime, and a little sugar; common rotating flavors include watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple, and jamaica (hibiscus).
• Cafecito (Cuban espresso)Vegan · Gluten-freeShort, intensely sweet espresso made by whipping the first drops with sugar into an espumita foam; served in thimble-sized cups to share.
• CortaditoVegetarian · Gluten-freeSweetened Cuban espresso cut with a splash of steamed milk, giving a smaller, stronger alternative to a latte with caramel-like depth.
• Café con lecheVegetarian · Gluten-freeCuban-style espresso poured into a mug of hot, sweetened milk; the classic morning partner for buttered, pressed Cuban toast.
• AtoleVegetarian · Gluten-freeWarm, porridge-like masa beverage flavored with vanilla, cinnamon, strawberry, or guava; gently sweet and velvety, popular in cooler months.