Not much luck at this neighborhood staple despite the other great reviews. The line moved at a very slow pace, despite having a full staff. I was rejuvenated with excitement for their food after seeing their menu, but don't be fooled. Their cafe de olla was weak and, dare I say, watered-down. There was no substance to it. Their tamales lacked salt and flavor- it was bland and watery which made no sense to me whatsoever. Make the trip further east to ELA for consistently better and much more abundant tamales shops. I also ordered a quesedilla pan, which had an uneven distribution of cheese. It was too spongy and didn't have the dense texture it should have; overall, the flavor was fine, but go to a Salvadorian place to meet your needs. The only stand out was the jalapeño and cheese stuffed bollilo! My, oh my, was it tasty and they didn't skimp out on the cheese! Overall, they may be an institution in the area, but they lack inspiration and consistency in their options for the price. I won't be back.

This place Is part of the East Los Angeles Pride . I was like Wow! When I entered there was a long waiting lane But well worthy not only the sell bakery but Home made Tamales So my turn came much faster and sooner than I expected I got me a half a dozen tamales and a slice of my favorite Mexican sweet bread "Tres Leches " and some jarritos tamarindo drink . Don't worry about the lane is not always like this But I went there when some Hispanic people celebrate "Dia de Los Trees Reyes Magos " In central and south America is not celebrated the Santa Claus legend . But the kings that followed the special star and showed them where the the new king was born in this case Jesús the Christ . A tradition to eat a certain bread with a hidden doll while it bakes once is ready to be served It gets sliced and the person that finds the hidden doll supposedly be the lucky one and gets to be appraised by the rest of the family members .

Wonderful I have been going here over ten years and they always aim to please their customers. Patty, is a great manager very gentle with her customers. Those chicken tamales are the absolutel best I have ever had I drive all the way from Los Angeles to get them because they are breast meat only. They don't cheat you and mix the meat up. They are definitely worth the drive and I don't like to drive far. They cook different items and let the customers taste it while you there. It is very clean and well stocked. The staff is friendly hi Victor, and give you tips on how to try something different. I love the fact that you can call your order in and pay over the phone and you are in and out. I don't think they will be going out of business any time soon. Delicious food perfect customer service what more can you ask for. Thanks for everything Patty. Your weekend customer Diane.

Been coming to this place since the 1960's! Changed owners a few years ago but mostly stayed the same. Love the Chile Verde con Queso Tamales(green chile w/cheese tamales) but they also have Green Chile w/Chicken, Red w/beef or pork, & Green Chile with chicken. Usually they're quite good but once in a while they're a little dry. When that's the deal I pour a little salsa on them. Problem solved. They have a great selection of pan dulce(Mexican sweet bread) and fresh coffee. Also have nice selection of specialty pastries and custom cakes. See photo. Before the Covid-19 sanctions they were serving nice, inexpensive breakfasts with eggs, tamales, beans, etc. An East L.A. institution!

I called in a tamale order so I wouldn’t have to wait in line and be close to people, they told me the total and when it would be ready. I get there, and my order isn’t ready. I place another order and told me to wait about 20 min. I go to pick up my order and it still wasn’t ready. The servers/cashiers don’t know what happened to the to tickets both times. Third time I wait and they get my order after I told them they lost both previous orders. They shouldn’t make phone orders available if they can’t handle it. I waited 1 hour instead of just picking up and leaving in 5 min. I got the chicken and pork tamales, both types were dry.

We’ve been going to this place for the past 20 years for Xmas only... and ever since they sold ownership The quality has gone down the drain. Not sure if it’s to blame for the abundance of tamales they have to make to fill orders. not sure if it’s to blame for the abundance of tamales they have to make to fill orders But this year was the worst all of our red pork tamales were dry, brittle and crumbling... We had to settle for just eating the meat inside and tossing away all the masa. They usually taste their best on the same day we bring them home but not the case this time. Sorry Mascota you guys need to figure this one out

I heard through a friend that they were cash only. After parking I checked their website and couldn't find anything about cash only, and I called a couple of times but it went into voicemail. I ordered (and paid) on-line from the car as i was parked around the corner. I went inside just a couple minutes later, 3 workers, 4 customers in line. My bag of tamales were already ready for me to pick up! I was in and out in less than couple minutes! I ordered 6 red chili pork, 6 red chili beef, 6 green chili cheese. All tamales were tender, soft and delicious. Will definitely go back.

This was our go to tamaleria! My family and I would tell everyone how good the tamales are here. But what a disappointment, we went Saturday and ordered dozens because we live out of state so this was our tamale fix, we got back home and we’re ready to enjoy them… they have no flavor, greasy, and the masa has RICE! What the heck! I’ve never had rice in my masa. And it’s not even tasteful. I’m sad and pissed cause they were not cheap, these are all going straight to the trash and we’ll have to look for a new tamaleria for when we make our drive to LA. I’m sad!

My family and I have been customers of La Macota for over 40 years. We have been enjoying their bread ever since we lived in La Mirada. Eighteen years ago my family and I moved out to Moreno Valley and we have remained loyal customers. I am now about 70 or 80 minutes away but I still make the drive. Hopefully someday I will take my kids to this bakery just like my parents did with me. Everyone is friendly and the bread is fantastic. I highly recommend it. I was there this morning and last Saturday. Here are a few pics. The tamales are tasty too.

I used to love this bakery, but recently it has gone down hill. We bought 8 tamales and they were raw. I called and explained the situation and the lady had a bad attitude about it. She said to wait until they were cold to eat them. I guess she doesn’t know people like to eat their food warm. I went back to show them how soft the tamales were and the lady still claimed they were fully cooked. She doesn’t have customer service skills and that is the reason I won’t go back, not the tamales being raw. They did give me my money back.

The computers were down so the woman at the register couldn’t look up our order and was very confused. We had to show her our email confirmation and then she just wrote down what we ordered and grabbed it. The horchata latte was perfect. Not too sweet and hint of horchata. We liked the pork tamales better than the beef. One more cheese and chile to try.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Breakfast
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 4
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3

I LoVed this place. I don’t know how I went all my life living in LA without knowing about it. The pan dulce is well made and everything I’ve ordered tasted authentically Mexican. The bakery is clean and I appreciate the beautiful embroidered uniforms the lady employees wear. The machaca con huevo torta was delicious and had just the right amount of spice from chopped jalapeños. Bread was made fresh. I’ll go back again and again! Sweet and hard working staff too

As I write this me and my gf are both burping up the tamales and feeling nauseous. The young kid behind the behind the counter was nice but he handed me a plastic bag of cold tamales and when I asked him to warm them up just threw them in the microwave and warmed them up in the plastic. I shouldn’t have eaten them just because of that but I was hungry. Flan was good though so 1 star for that. I feel sick rn. Don’t order the tamales.

I ordered the tamales in an assortment of flavors, conchas, cinnamon twists, coconut, and regular flan, and dulce de Leche filled half moon pastries (forgot the name but were sacrilegiously delicious). Everything was extremely delicious. I want to come back and try the chocoflan--they were out. It's the third place over visited that offers chocoflan but didn't have it--I guess I'm not destined to have it anytime soon.

It took us about a hour to get our tamales and we were left with only 2 choices pork and chicken, so I bought a dozen pork. For us they were perfect masa to sauce ratio, not to dry and not gushing out with red sauce. It was slightly spicy. I would have liked more, but it's not a deal breaker. Ordered their champurado and it was probably the best that I've had in a long time. I look forward to coming back soon.

The tamales are ok, not spicy at all. The mole not spicy either it’s sweet mole so great for kids. The bread is good. I love their conchas, I’m very picky when it comes to conchas and these met my expectations. Lines are long sometimes but they go by quick, has great seating inside and out but not too much. If anything there’s a park with benches across the street but it’s a bit of walking.

Would have rated 4 stars but for the extraordinary long waits that I always experience here during the winter holiday season --- way longer than other tamale spots I've visited. The tamales are good. I especially like the consistency of their "masa" which has a more wholesome texture than others. If this place could improve the wait time, I would definitely come back more frequently.

this was an overall great panaderia! i think their hours are great because i got here at around 6am when most other places aren't even open and got immediately served. i received great and quick service from the lady behind the counter. the pan dulce i ordered was still warm and didn't last long in the bag once i stepped out. i'll be returning to try some other items on their menu.

Classic Old Historic East L.A. It is an L.A. favorite past-time. Been frequenting this place since the 70s. It's expanded since then. The original owners [Rose and Noemi Salcedo] have passed on and this place has been under new ownership for several years now. The Pan Dulce may not taste like Rose's Original recipe but it's still just as tasty and fresh. Also has the best tamales.

Every year around Christmas time I make a trip to La Mascota for their delicious tamales, and must have guava muffin! I buy tamales by the dozen! Our family loves them and looks forward each year to eat them for Christmas. They are so fresh and the meats they put in them are delicious. A must have is their chili cheese tamale. Great place and love my yearly tradition to visit.

This panadería is one of the best!! I came here for tamales and they were delicious. thanks to my coworker for suggesting this place. I specifically came for tamales, but I had to practice self control because everything looked so delicious, specially the flan, but one day I’ll be back for it. I recommend this place for their tamales.

The taste of the tamales is still good. Unfortunately, they advertise mole and also vegetable tamales that they have not made since who knows when. Personally, the sauces in the tamales are amazing. What I do not enjoy as much are the beef, pork and chicken, as they tend to be dry. Due to that, my new favorites are the cheese tamales....yum!

So I'm visiting in Los Angeles n I decided to go to one of the bakery I used to come.( La Mascota Bakery ) I bought 5 tamales one of each. 1 out of the 5 was fully cooked. The rest were half raw. I was so disappointed SMH i bought something i couldn't even enjoy..it's a shame that there quality has changed from back in the 70's/80's

Great place for breakfast. They have excellent Mexican goodies like pan dulce, flans, cookies, champurrado, tamales. The price is reasonable. Good place for kids. The only downside is the parking. There is a small lot in the back. If you are lucky, you'll get one. The service is excellent. They're fast, courteous, and ways smile.

Stumbled across this bakery waiting for hubby to come out of a Dr appointment nearby. Man I messed up, bread is so delicious, so now I make him go whenever he had an appointment. Good thing we live in Compton otherwise we'd be in trouble. Couldn't add more pictures because the bread didn't make it to the end of the review:) .

This used to be the place to buy tamales and Mexican sweet bread, but not any more. The taste on the tamales was nonexistent.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Breakfast
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 3
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 3
Recommended dishes
Pan Dulce Platter, Dozen Tamales

La Mascota has the best tamales in town - hands down!!! Simple(no peas, corn or carrots) and the freshest ingredients....spiced and seasoned just right! La Mascota has been consistently good for years! The only problem is they are not a well kept secret....so plan to order and shop early....or expect to wait.

Tried this placement three times because of the excellent reviews. Not quite impressed they gave me pan dulce from a prior day, it was hard. Tried the guajolota and tamales, same the birote was not fresh. Tried a breakfasts burrito, it was ok.
Food: 2
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

I try to stay away from this place. the pastries are so delicious, not to mention the Tamales are to die for. If I could I would go every day. But I would get as fat as a horse. that's how good this place is. dam delicious. 2 thumbs up. along with 3 snaps in a Z formation. :)

This bakery is always very clean, the staff aren’t always pleasant. They have some good daily specials, the cafe de olla is delicious. Cakes are tasty, I’ve had my fair share of good and BAD moments here (unfortunately) but the owners are very kind and helpful. Thank you.

The tamales were a hit at the event. Of all the foods presented to guests, the tamales were gone within the first two hours of the evening.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

I would leave no stars if I could! Bought a dozen of red pork n omg they were disgusting. The masa was mooshy and oily. They were thin small n I had a hard time finding the meat. For 32 dollars I expected better was very disappointed, not at the price but the quality

Super inexpensive fresh tamales ($1.75 after 1 PM on week-days) and a real espresso machine in this colorful bakery with a self-serve seating area and a parking lot out back. Almost always busy and very popular in the neighborhood for parties and special occasions

Love the tamales chicken and cheese they are delicious. The only thing I would suggest from mascota is to let their customers get updated on their inventory because it’s very crucial to get to the counter and be told they don’t have the item that they want l!

Best tamales and pan dulce ever! Keep coming back for more, it's been a few decades coming to La Mascota to enjoy of the wonderful food and treats, I'm hope to be able to go back at least a couple more decades, lol. Thanks for all the wonderful years!

I come here for the tamales. Usually pretty fresh on Sundays. Customer service is good. You can sit inside the bakery and enjoy your meal. The environment is nice.. looks very "Mexican". You have to park outside on the street and very limited space.

The pastries are old and dry and the tamales as well! The service was good even though they were understaffed with only one woman working there. She was very nice and helpful even though the food is no longer very good. Such a disappointment.

Lucky to have a bakery with delicious food and great ambiance in our community. In addition, this place has friendly staff including the owner who today as my daughter waited for me to pick her up, introduced herself and provided her with a

Amazing pan dulce! It's the best I've had in L.A.!!! If you like your tamales thicker, this is the place for you! I grew up eating smaller ones but these are also FIRE! Their chicharron game is a 10, so you better be ready to play.... Come

The bread is good. I have not try the cakes, but they look delicious. I recently tried the tamales and they were good, but I think the cheese and jalapeños are the best. The owners are friendly and they make you feel welcome. The only bad

My hubby had the Pork tamales, he said they were not the best. My family and I have been going there since we came to California (1968), I sampled on a little bite from his tamales and in fact they were a bit dry. I had one of Cheese and

I was very disappointed with the tamales no flavor…doesn’t taste the same as it used to be.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 1
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

Green chicken spicy Tamales are the best...when you can get the m. They only sell them Fri, Sat and Sun and you basically have to be there at 600am when they open, otherwise, you will wait a long line and risk not getting them.

Their sweet bread to tamales are hands down the best in LA. My mom started going there when she came from Mexico in the 50s. I never go to East LA without stocking up. Last time, I tried a cup of their campurrado. Heavenly!!!

Their tamales are the best, but at this busy time of year, they need way more staff on hand. Even with a prepaid pre-order, I still had to wait in line for 35 minutes. But like I said, the tamales are worth the wait.

Very disappointed. The tamales were awful. Not enough masa,or meat. Full of filler hot chili. Not the same anymore. The sweet bread is delicious. I've been going there 50years. Won't go back again. Won't recommend.

This was our first time here. Reviews from Facebook said the tamales are the best in East L.A. Yes, the tamales are very good, but so are the chicharones. The champurado is the bomb! Gonna try the tortas next time.

This is the only place my sister-in-law will buy tamales. She drives from the westside. I agree they are yummy! But equally delicious are the pastries! Great service also! You can done in as they have a few tables.

Food is good, service not so good. There were a lot of flies inside the bread section and kitchen closed at 1pm so you can basically order drinks, and bakery items. If you are lucky you might still find tamales.

I hadn't been there in a long time, since I was a kid and my mom wanted to go get some Tamales so a couple of weeks ago we took a cruise down Whittier Blvd to pick up some tamales and some pan dulce!!! …

Went there to buy tamales for Christmas Eve. The red chili tamales only has two-three pieces of meat, cheese tamales had no cheese whatsoever. The customer service was HORRIBLE. Will NOT be going back.

Come on down to Boyle Heights and get an authentic taste of what LA panaderías have to offer! Get your pan dulce, tamales, and guajolotas! (Guajolota aka a sandwich with a tamal in it!)

Tamales were super trash i expected much better due to some reviews. Im not boujee but no fork or plate or napkins were given! "Meat" was like dog food, i tried a chicken and beef

I ordered the huevos rancheros I told them with a little bit of sauce on top and they put a lot! I had more salsa then huevos rancheros also the tortillas were all hard

Great bakery open early and serving freshly made items. I first heard about them 20 years ago for their tamales. Quality has been excellent after all these years.

One of the top 10 bakeries to visit in LA. Amazing food and always smelling like spices. Take a dozen tamales home or share some Pan Dulce with co-workers.

Excellent tamales. Clean place. Very good atmosphere and great service. Tamales masa is tasteful and the fillings are generous. Will definitely come back.

You buy their bread fresh and next day bread is harder than a rock! Their tamales do not have a taste. Overall the place sucks also very pricey.

We wouldn't mind driving 25 miles to this place, and though they have very limited parking, but, their tamales are worth the inconvenience.

Great tamales to enjoy for you or last minute if you family drops in for visits. Thank you for making it happen...keep up great job

Great clean place , awesome food selection and impressive food presentation. Also available a huge bakery selection and tamales.

An incredible family owned establishment. I will be back for their delicious guava and cream cheese pastry.

It's a great bakery they offer breakfast meals tamales pan bolillos coffee ,espresso ,chocolate ,cakes

My father would take us here when I was a little girl.I still think these are the best tamales in L.A.

Fresh baked goods here as well as other items like tortillas and sauces.Beeeeest bakery in town.

Only took a picture of the muffin, but the conchas seriously the best ive had in my entire life!

I have not been there for a long time but the menu looks good and they sell menudo and tamales.

Wonderful people, great food. Lots to choose from. Hey the chocolate covered strawberries.

Great tamales and tasty pan dulce & cookies- remember to also grab a cup of coffee!

The Best Mexican Bread, that You will ever Taste!!! On this side of the border!!!

Delicious tamales & pastries! I have been going there for over 30 years. …

Great Bakery! Nice cafe to hang out... and don't forget to get some tamales!!

Been going here since I was a kid. My grandma's favorite. Near our church.

Bread is fresh and there muffins are really good blueberry is my favorite

So many upgrades from the old-school Mascota. The food is still awesome!

Mexican Tamales are very tasty. Parking can be tricky during peak hours.

Great customer service. Great bread & desert's, great overall

Been eating since I was was a kid.The taste is the same

I've been coming here for years. Best tamales

Best pan dulce, tamales and bolillos!!