Puerto Rican pasteles

[tournier]

Does anyone know where to find fresh pasteles in the Bay Area? My mother is Puerto Rican, and has told me for years about the pasteles her grandmother made at Christmastime. She used three different masas: of plantain, rice, and corn. And the stuffing--one of them, at least--included ground beef, almonds, chick peas, and egg. My mother, now 84, will be visiting me in Berkeley for Christmas. And I would love to serve a feast of fresh pasteles.

[kare_raisu]

FYI: Was at Sol food yesterday - the Pasteles are only available on Sunday with the Pernil.

If you are every in Hawaii - they are available there - a relic of the Puerto Rican Immigrantion in the early 20th due to Hurricane devastation in their homeland and need for Plantation workers in Hawaii.

[magda mendez]

Hello, I was born and raised in Puerto rico and my mom came to visit me recently and we made about 5 dozen pastels...My freezer is full of this delicious treat... I have lived in the bay area on and off for 7 years and no restaurant really captures puertorican flavor.
I would be very happy to share the pasteles and we would be awesome for your mom to taste home! Thats how gooooood my mom pasteles are.
She brings a suitcase full of all specific spices to season the meat...that are not available in grocery stores here.
Let me know...
Warmest regards,
Magdalena Mendez
campbell, Ca

[conchita2007]

Hola Magda,
Yo soy de Puerto Rico and I am looking to purchase a dozen pasteles for a work party. Do you sell them? Estamos cerca!
Saludos navidenos,
Conchita
Palo Alto, CA

[hill food]

whoa - pay day Tournier!

pasteles, pastellitos, empanadas, empanadillas - whatever you want to call and size them, they do taste different there. the crust itself really isn't all that difficult. the fillings...

[alexdesignz]

Sol Food in San Rafael has Puerto Rican.

http://www.solfoodrestaurant.com/

[Xiao Yang]

Puerto Rican cuisine is almost non-existent in the Bay Area, but you might try El Nuevo Frutilandia at 24th and Folsom, which is said to have Puerto Rican and Cuban dishes.

El Nuevo Frutilandia
3077 24th St.
San Francisco, CA
94110
415-648-2958

[rworange]

According to the menu El Nuevo Fruitlandia has them
http://www.foodiebytes.com/menu_item/...

Central Market on Appian in El Sobrante has some also, but they are frozen. I have never tried them because they only sell them in large quantities ... a dozen I think.

[heidipie]

Try Sofrito, in Fruitvale:

3451 International Blvd. Oakland, Ca. (510) 533- 3840

[Xiao Yang]

Thanks for jogging my memory on that one. I KNEW there was something I had seen couldn't quite dredge out of my tired ol' grey matter. It's only a block or so from BART, as I recall.

According to one Yelp post, you have to order pasteles ahead of time, and by the dozen.

[drmimi]

I am doing the happy dance-- I will be in the Fruitvale Monday-- looking for a lunch meeting spot...