The days of stale pastries are over; Laredo has sprouted one of the best bakeries located in the heart of downtown Laredo. Caffe Dolce located on Victoria street invites you to a family owned bakery with delicious sweets. As you arrive at the historical building you are greeted by warm and inviting colors that are reminiscent of an Austin coffee shop. The atmosphere is visually stunning as the warm colors and the smell of delicious pastries send you on a sugar trance. The story of Caffe Dolce is a bittersweet one. The Vega family decided after their daughter Valerie graduated from the Texas Culinary Academy that they would set out to create a business that showcased her talents. Caffe Dolce has a motto that separates them from the other culinary establishments in Laredo. “You walk in a customer and you leave a friend.” The bakery is giving back to the community by having artists work displayed around the cafe.
This reporter was then treated to a sample of their baked treats and sandwiches. I was treated to the pumpkin muffin and peanut butter cupcake which sent my taste buds on a sugar trance with every bite. The café has set out to try to make enjoying delicious pastries and healthy experience. The sandwiches are nothing you would find in other sandwich shops and are filling and healthy at the same time. The “Greenwich” is a sandwich that is vegetarian that gives the illusion as if your actually eating a meat filled sandwich. I, being a meat eater, was hesitant to try something without my beef counterparts but was surprised at how good and healthy it was. The chicken chipotle sandwich had a zing and took me to where no chicken sandwich has ever taken me before.
The presentations of the actual subs were very visually inviting and made you eat with the utmost care. The days of sandwiches only looking good on television are over. Caffe Dolce also every Saturday has an open mic night that showcases local artists talents. The Caffe plans to create menu items that will help customers that are diabetic and have plans to expand into teas and more menu items.
Overall, this reporter was left craving more and more of the cafe’s lovely pastries and sandwiches.
If you’re hungry and want to experience delicious and decadent pastries then Caffe Dolce is right for you. Caffe Dolce is open Mon-Fri, 7:30 am – 7:00 pm and Saturday 5-11 and are closed Sundays. For more information you can reach Caffe Dolce on Facebook at facebook.com/sweetsNwiches.