When describing the Mexican food scene in El Paso mention should be made of several very good bakeries that serve Mexican style pastries and baked goods. From my experiences at quite a few business meetings where treats were supplied, I found that some of the best came from La Ideal Bakery at 1700 Wyoming Ave., just off I-10 near Cotton Street.
La Ideal's specialty seems to be the empanada, a stuffed pastry with a fruit filling. However, most business meetings were supplied with a variety of pan dulce, or Mexican sweet bread of all types. The term "bread" is actually very general and applies to items that are soft like bread as well as sweets that have the texture and flavor of cookies (but generally are not as sweet).
La Ideal is located a few blocks from downtown, off of Interstate 10 at the Dallas Street exit if you are going east, and the Cotton Street exit if you are going west.
La Ideal Bakery at the corner of Wyoming and Dallas, one block north of I-10 in El Paso.
Empanadas, shown on the top shelf of the following photo, are the most popular item at La Ideal with just about everyone I know. These are made with sweetened fruit in a wrapping that reminds me somewhat of home made pie crust. It is impossible to tell from the outside what type of fruit is inside the empanada, but the employees will inform you which ones are available. I would recommend the pineapple, and these seem to be the most popular with groups of people as well. Apple is usually available, and sometimes there will be other varieties such as pumpkin.
I do not know the names of the items on the bottom shelf. The best approach is just to point to the ones that look good and get a variety. In my opinion, though, all orders should include empanadas.
Empanadas and some of the selection of pan dulce at La Ideal.
La Ideal bakes the bread served at Amigos Restaurant that has been an integral part of the lunch plates since the owners of Amigos were working at the old La Hacienda on Paisano Drive. These are bolillo rolls that are crisp on the outside and perfect with butter. I haven't had any that are better than the ones from La Ideal.
La Ideal is also the source of the best pumpkin pie I have found in El Paso. As far as I know it is only baked before Thanksgiving and Christmas.
