Twice a day, at 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., loads of locals line up at La Favorita for you'll-burn-your-hand-hot conchitas, cuernos, bodillos and other Mexican-style pastries and bread at this small Eastside bakery. Best when gobbled down right away, you can fill a bag of these fragrant beauties for a five-spot. The shop's cakes, like tres leches (which also comes in a trendy Oreo version), are also reliably good — and at a fraction of Westside prices. Seasonal breads such as pan de rey and pan de muerto are big sellers around holiday time, so be smart, order ahead and impress guests. While you wait, you can watch the warmly friendly staff roll out and shape the dough. The folks at the counter just assume everybody speaks Spanish, but smiling and pointing work just as well. Street parking can be tricky, so go to Smart & Final or Super A first, park, buy something, and stroll over.

—Kate Coe

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