Suarez Bakery is made from scratch, a look behind the scenes. 

Suárez Bakery breeds this familiarity, but there’s also something different about Suárez.

They possess a distinct authenticity in their products and simplicity in their setting that’s unintimidating and inviting, making it easy for customers to have the weight of the world neutralized while perusing the stunning selections.

I had the chance to peek in the kitchen and meet some of the folks behind Suárez Bakery. The virtues of scratch baking — patience, integrity, hard work — is carefully manifested by real people who possess these same virtues. Every crumb is made by hand. It’s these same people who generate the authenticity and humility that makes Suárez different from many other bakeries.

Carlos Suárez opened Suárez Bakery in 1992 in the Park Road Shopping Center. You’ll still find Carlos in the kitchen with his sons, rolling dough and keeping an eye on operations.

Carlos says he didn’t want his children to join the grueling world of running a bakery. The business can be fickle with the economy, the hours are long, and the work laborious. But Carlos Jr. and Jesse couldn’t resist the siren call of the family business and they work alongside their dad, baking and running the business side of things.

One of the aspects that struck me the most during my visit was the humility and modesty of the Suárez family. They’re humble artisans who take pride in their craft and know that the quality of their goods are a better testament than their own words ever could be.

These authentic, local businesses are the ones that give Charlotte our identity and are the ones to preserve and cherish.

Facts:

(1) It’s all about the ingredients. Lifting all these ingredients is the CrossFit of baking. In any given week, Suárez uses an estimated 400lbs of bread flour, 150lbs of cake flour, 150lbs of all purpose flour, 500lbs of sugar, 500lbs of confectioner’s sugar, 100lbs of high gluten flour, 300lbs of butter and hundreds and hundreds of eggs, too many to count.

(2) Cuban bread. The Suárez’s pay tribute to their Cuban roots with authentic Cuban bread, an essential component for Cuban sandwiches or great with just good ol’ buttah. Saturdays only. The smell is intoxicating and irresistible.

Fresh Saturday Cuban bread. #madefromscratch #scratchbaked #cuban #bread #pan #cubano

A photo posted by Suárez Bakery (@suarezbakery) on

(3) Whistle while you work. Suárez employs around 25 people and they also host interns from Johnson & Wales and CPCC. There’s a family vibe in the kitchen, they’ve been baking together for years. No one’s fumbling over recipes, in fact I didn’t see any recipes. The front of house staff is helpful and friendly and can answer questions about ingredients for dietary and allergy concerns.

(4) Keeping it local. Suárez bakes brat rolls for Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, and has baked bread for Cantina 1511, Hot Box Food Truck, and Café Fiesta. They source their eggs from local farmers and feature Counter Culture Coffee.

(5) Time to make the doughnuts. Suárez sells about 12 dozen donuts a day and double that on Saturdays. Glazed and cinnamon are their most popular selections.

(6) C is for cookie. You can find hand-iced cookies, sugar, chocolate chip, tea cookies and more. Also, Suárez can make custom cookies for any occasion or no occasion at all. You don’t need an occasion for cookies.

Getting ready for tomorrow’s block party at @parkroadcenter. #cookies #handiced #charlotte #mcm

A photo posted by Suárez Bakery (@suarezbakery) on

(7) The dough. Suárez proudly makes their own puff dough used for their famed Cream Horns, Elephant Ears, Turnovers and more. This is a big deal, not many bakeries make their own puff dough anymore.

(8) Cupcakes galore. The Salted Caramel Macchiato is their most popular flavor. In addition to the traditionals, Suárez also has a Cloister Honey cupcake and occasionally, an OMB cupcake. They’re almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

(9) Let them eat cake. The most beautiful cakes are at Suárez Bakery. In addition to the cakes for sale in the bakery case, Suárez has a major custom cake operation going. Around 100 per week. The decorators are super talented and they can accommodate most custom requests in about a week or so.

To the person who ordered this one: Do you want nightmares? Because that’s how you get nightmares. | #creepy #cake #halloween #diadelosmuertos #dayofthedead #skull #baking #cakestagram #archer A photo posted by Suárez Bakery (@suarezbakery) on

Suárez Bakery
Website | Twitter | Instagram<br/>4245 Park Road
Monday – Friday: 8am – 6pm; Saturday: 8am – 5pm; Sunday: Closed