Have a sweet tooth? Here’s our review of this hidden gem of a bakery in Columbus

Journalists are well-known for impromptu, food-themed gatherings in the newsroom. No occasion is too big or too small. No food choice is off the table. And sweets are always welcome.

Because it’s been “a minute” since the Ledger-Enquirer staff has indulged in sweet treats , I decided to stop at Chilango Pride Bakery, which I drive past on my way to and from work, to get an assortment of pastries for my fellow newsies.

The bakery makes and sells Mexican bread and a variety of pastries and desserts. It’s at 3501 Hamilton Road in Columbus, just north of the Columbus Collectives Museum and Rose Hill Playground.

Chilango Pride opened in the fall of 2024 and has had several positive reviews on the Columbus GA Foodies. A recent post there described it as “one of the wonderful hidden gems in town” and mentioned how affordable it is.

How I decided what to buy

Armed with $20, I selected items based on the descriptions of each, their appearance (I am, after all, a photographer) and, well, because some of names sounded cool.

Name tags next to each item describe it in English and Spanish, note if is filled or unfilled and provide an allergy warning if it contains, for example, pecans. I bought eight items. Here’s the list, with the baker’s description of each:

• Mantecada. “It is sweet bread with nuts on top. The aroma and flavor are delicious.”

• Ojo de Buey. “The word means ‘bullseye.’ It has two textures and is similar to a muffin with a crunchy ring.”
• Dona. “It is fluffy covered in chocolate.” (Think chocolate-covered donut with sprinkles.)

• Polvoron Tricolor. “It’s like a thick cookie with three flavors.” (A colleague called it a “Neopolitan” cookie.)
• Besos. “They are two pieces of sweet bread sealed with a layer of pastry cream and covered with sugar.”

• Conchas. “They are fluffy and soft with a vanilla-flavored crust.”

• Galleta De Nuez. “It’s a cookie with pecans on top.”
• Bisquet. “It’s a sweet bread with a dense texture and a taste of margarine and milk.”

Each item cost $1.99 and came individually wrapped. With tax, my order totaled $17.35.

Now, the taste test

My colleagues Sundi Rose, Kelby Hutchison and Kala Hunter taste tested each item I bought.

“Everything’s very good,” Kala said. She said each offered an unexpected flavor.

Kelby said among his favorites is the Mantecada. He said it reminded him of his childhood and “eating pound cake all the time.”

“You get a lot for the money, “ Sundi said. “There’s no way that this is one serving. Each one of these pastries is three servings.”

Sundi said it’s a really good way to buy a variety of pastries to take to a party or other occasion.

“You can stop in, not hardly spend any money and get a lot of different stuff,” she said, “ I mean, it’s worth it for sure.”

This story was originally published April 24, 2025 at 3:29 PM.