Never Heard Of It is a new series that explores Vancouver’s many informal hole-in-the-wall eateries.

Sitting down for lunch at the highly aromatic Panaderia Latina Bakery means you voluntarily surround yourself with canned peppers, chili sauces, South American sodas, and display cases loaded with cakes, pastries and meringues held together with enough dulce de leche to induce a serious contact sugar­ rush. It’s no small wonder that hungry diners get the anticipatory shakes when they watch the Chilean mother and daughter duo crank out the goods in the small kitchen. But before indulging in a slice of densely rich tres leches, flakey milhoja, or the granddaddy of Chilean desserts, torta hojaldra, temper your sweet tooth with a satisfyingly messy chacarero (a monstrous Chilean beef sandwich loaded with green beans and tomato) that arrives hot off the grill, or at least with a freshly baked empanada. All of the traditional Latin savouries and sweets are made daily from scratch, and everything is brought to the table with pride by people who make you feel right at home.

Panaderia Latina Bakery | 4906 Joyce Street | Vancouver, BC | 604-439-­1414

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