Comadre Panadería, nestled at 1204 Cedar Ave in East Austin, is the inspiring creation of Mexican-American pastry chef Mariela Camacho. The word comadre means "homegirl"—a term of warmth and solidarity that perfectly reflects the bakery's spirit. What began as a pop-up in Seattle (2017), evolving into a crowdfunding-backed East Austin brick-and-mortar (2023), now stands as an anchor of community and craftsmanship

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Comadre boasts impressive accolades: two-time James Beard semifinalist, nods from Eater, Bon Appétit, Texas Monthly, and most recently, inclusion in The New York Times list of 22 Best Bakeries in America—a major honor for any bakery. These honors aren't just for show—Mariela’s creative yet heartfelt recipes, like airy berry- and matcha-laced conchas or her pink corn-and-prickly‑pear cake, have earned national praise.

Step inside this compact bakery and you’ll find a seasonal rotating case that blends traditional Mexican pastries with contemporary flair. Popular must-tries include:

• Conchas: Delicately crackled shells topped with flavors such as matcha, tahini-chocolate, berry, and Earl Grey—balanced sweetness with rich cultural resonance.

• Pink Cake: A showstopper combining corn flour sponge with prickly-pear buttercream and sprinkles—praised by NYT as "masa-laden, Barbie‑fuelled dreams,” yet never overly sweet.

• Savory Selections: Masa sugar cookies (vegan and gluten-free), sourdough croissants, alfajores, and weekly specials like mole croissants invite delicious surprises.

Comadre’s menu often includes vegan and gluten‑free items, making it inclusive and inviting. Guests frequently note that flavors are bold yet refined—never cloying—a testament to Mariela’s selective ingredient use and artisan practice 

More than a bakery, Comadre Panadería is a community force. Mariela’s ethos centers on nourishing both body and soul through responsibly sourced ingredients, living wages for staff, and sliding‑scale pricing for marginalized groups. 

Eater reports she views the bakery as a space for neighbors to gather, chat, and uplift one another austin.eater.com.

On Reddit, patrons chimed in:

“$5 for Comadre’s concha is completely fair. The high quality ingredients … absolutely demands the price.” 
“Pink cake is amazing. Love it with ice cream.”

Yelp reviews echo similar sentiments—30+ minute waits worth every moment:

“Waited in line about 35 minutes and it was well worth it! … I loved the atmosphere!”

There are occasional whispers about pricing—$5 for conchas or $9 for cakes—but most understand that this reflects quality sourcing and ethical operations .

• Cultural Innovation
  Proudly melding Mexican tradition with bold, modern twists—from matcha shells to prickly-pear cakes.

• Premium Quality & Ethics
  Organic, whole‑grain ingredients, fair pay, and sliding‑scale options highlight her community-first values .

• Local & National Acclaim
  Hailed by Austin press and nationally recognized by The New York Times, James Beard, Eater, and others.

• Inclusive Offerings
  With vegan and gluten-free rotations, plus savory treats, Comadre welcomes a wide range of dietary needs—and nightly cravings alike

• NYT Food Critic Priya Krishna:
  “Despite their saccharine appearances, not one of the desserts is overly cloying … playful tone of the pastries.”

• Reddit Patron “flibbyflobbyfloop”:
  “MAN it did not disappoint!! Will be ordering again!!!”

• Yelp Review (Kristina B.):
  “The Pink Cake is amazing. … great patio out back and I loved the atmosphere!”

• Reddit User “cwjidd”:
  “The Red Berry concha is definitely the best concha I've had … sweet fruit flavor, but not overly saccharine.”

Mariela intends to deepen her roots in East Austin—expanding hours, offering breakfast tacos and her tortillas, and turning the kitchen into a creative collaborative space for other bakers and pop-ups. With its strong foundation, Comadre is on track to shape the future of Austin’s bakery scene—with flavor, compassion, and community-led values.

Comadre Panadería isn’t just a place to indulge—it’s an ethos baked into dough. Every concha, croissant, and colorful cake tells a story of heritage, innovation, and intentional care. For mornings filled with ethos-rich pan dulce or afternoons craving soulful sweetness, Comadre offers both delight and meaning. Don’t just visit—be part of the journey.