PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – Any unobservant pedestrian who blows by Eulo’s Bakery is missing a Mexican treasure. The tiny bakery is emblematic of a staple of Mexican life on several levels, according to a Facebook poster who shines his spotlight throughout this Pacific coast destination. (“My Puerto Vallarta Daily” is his page.) The system at these culinary establishments is simple – (1) grab a pair of plastic tongs and an aluminum tray, (2) make a circuit around the sales space lined with cooling racks and display cases, (3) don’t be modest about how much you take and (4) settle up quickly with the smiling cashier because hungry people are right behind you. Prices are modest, especially compared to brand-name coffee shops and fancier bakeries in the U.S. Always remember that calories don’t count on vacation.

Pile your tray high

There’s no reason to hold back at a Mexican bakery such as Eulo’s in Puerto Vallarta. Fill your tray with more than you’d normally get. That way, you don’t have to hurry back. Image by Tom Adkinson

Plenty of foot traffic for a retail business

Eulo’s takes up only a small amount of sidewalk space on Basilio Badillo, a bustling street near Puerto Vallarta’s seaside walkway called the Malecón. The sales area almost never is empty. Image by Tom Adkinson

Small, but full of surprises

The sales space is tiny at Eulo’s Bakery, but its cooling racks and display cases are full of sweet and savory treats. Spinach and cheese pastries, small loaves of banana bread, doughnuts, cookies and pecan muffins are among the offerings. Image by Tom Adkinson

Tools of the trade

Colorful plastic tongs and a stack of aluminum trays are at the entrance to Eulo’s Bakery, ready for hungry patrons to pick what they want from an array of baked goods. Image by Tom Adkinson

Custard always works

A tray of golden-brown cakes is even more tempting after a dollop of custard is added for accent and extra flavor. Image by Tom Adkinson

Don’t let the dollar sign fool you

At first glance, the posted prices are a shock until you remember that the dollar sign in this case really means pesos. The 22-peso items in this display are about $1.25 in U.S. currency. Image by Tom Adkinson

Grab a coconut doughnut

Eulo’s Bakery is famous for its doughnuts with vanilla icing and coconut on top. When a fresh tray gets to the sales floor, they don’t last long. Image by Tom Adkinson


Trip-planning resource: visitpuertovallarta.com


(Travel writer Tom Adkinson’s book, 100 Things To Do in Nashville Before You Die, is available on Amazon.com.)