What are the best bakeries in Dallas?

[manatisalas]

Looking for the best bread in Dallas (sweet and/or salty).
What's your favorite bakery and what do you normally buy there?
Are there any good Mexican bakeries around?
Any thoughts are welcome.
Thanks!

[planojim]

went to both Village and Empire this weekend to do a little taste testing.
Got chocloate croissant, ham croissant, canele, and a loaf of rosemary bread at Village bakery. Everything was spot on. The croissant were the best I've had in the area, rivaling Ravelin.
Sadly, the croissant, chocolate croissant, and blueberry struedle muffin we got from Empire were just flat out not good. As in didn't even take a second bite bad. The texture, the taste, heck, they didn't even look good. Egads. I've had better from Costco.
Maybe I caught them on an off morning, but they won't get the second chance with me.

[twinwillow]

Personally, I think Empire's forte' is just their bread.
That's originally how they made their mark in Dallas when they first opened. Both their Challah and Rye are outstanding. But, eat quickly. A lack of preservatives (thank goodness) makes them go hard and stale very fast.
The Rye quicker than the Challah. Although, the Challah is fantastic for French toast the next day!

[Sulan]

Yes, Empire is the best in town for bread, but their pastry is sub-par.

[CocoaNut]

An excellent multi-generational bakery is Stein's - SW corner Preston/635. Been around since the 1940's - old-school, so nothing "artisinal", just simple and good. They have a handful of bread selections, which I've never tried - the sweet baked goods are not not cloyingly sweet. Top picks: cherry crowns, gingerbread men, petit fours, fruit pies.

[conniebush]

If you need a cake or cupcakes, I recommend The Lovin Oven in Lancaster.

[LewisvilleHounder]

German styles - Bread Haus in Grapevine
Sandwich or Interesting Flavor Combos - La Spiga in Addison, Empire - Lovers and Inwood or Ravelin in Denton

Mexican bakeries depend on what you are looking for? What is you one go to pastry?

My favorite bakery is by far Ravelin in Denton. They do pastry options very well (croissants both savory and sweet), muffins, eclairs (best I have had) and cakes. They also have a rotating variety of breads and makes baguettes daily.

[KrumTx]

I second Ravelin in Denton. Their pies are especially good.

[Khatru]

Almost hate to say it, but Panera Bread Company makes some surprisingly good bread.

[CocoaNut]

So it's not Dallas, but back in summer, a neighbor was talking good things about Anakaren Bakery in Arlington - don't know the exact location.

Also Breadhaus in Grapevine.

[burntcremebrulee]

They have one on the West side of Fort Worth off camp bowie that I use to go to often. They have Mexican Pastries and a small cafe for Mexican food. Different kinds of Tres Leche cakes, whole or by the slice. I've never tried the cakes though. I always got the pastries. I recommend the pasties that look like croissants that are stuffed with a really good cream cheese filling. I also really enjoyed the "oreja palmeras", they are a fillo baked sweet pastry. My favorite to dip in coffee or tea.

[foiegras]

also black rooster in fort worth for a great baguette & sandwiches.

[pepper131]

Empire does the best job.
I've gotten some "off" items from Village Bakery, but bought at a local market in the spring; not their store. Hopefully they have improved.

From Empire - baguette is perfection. Walnut Scallion bread. Pane Paisano. Cinnamon roll. Croissants. Trail mix cookie. Those are my favorites.

[twinwillow]

For breads, we like Empire Bakery in Inwood Village shopping center or the recently opened Village Bakery.
http://www.empirebaking.com
http://www.villagebakingco.com

We also like La Spiga in Addison very much.
http://www.laspigabakery.com