by Michael Montalvo
Daily Lobo
The neighborhood bakery is becoming a thing of the past.
But one Albuquerque neighborhood is lucky to have Golden Crown Panaderia, one of the last of the endangered neighborhood bakeries. Golden Crown Panaderia, at 1103 Mountain Road N.W., has served up world-renowned breads, pastries and cookies for 35 years. Pratt Morales and his son, Chris, own and operate the small bakery.
"It should feel like you walked into your grandmother's kitchen," Morales said.
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At 70 years old, Morales is an amiable man who likes to chat with his customers. His friendly demeanor might be a reason for the bakery's lasting success.
"I love putting smiles on people's faces," Morales said. "The comfortable atmosphere is part of the experience."
Inside the bakery, there are three tables with mismatched chairs around them and two vintage baking ovens, along with one of the bakery's famous bread sculptures in the shape of a turkey. Morales' bread sculptures include cacti, castles and life-sized replicas of people.
The limited space and folksy decor makes you feel like you're in someone's home.
But don't let the size of the bakery fool you. It's one of the busiest bakeries in town.
"We ship our products all over the world," Morales said. "We have customers in Beijing, Moscow, Argentina and Germany."
Golden Crown Panaderia also serves some of the best pizza in Albuquerque.
It offers pizza dough made with green chile, roasted blue corn and peasant dough.
"The dough is amazing," customer Erika Butler said. "It's the best pizza I've ever had."
If you don't have anyone to share a pizza with, don't worry. The bakery offers personal-sized pizzas, too. It also offers six sandwiches on six kinds of homemade breads, including marble rye and the bakery's signature green chile bread.
"The New Mexico green chile bread is a delicious gourmet item that makes a great gift," Morales said.
The green chile bread has an imprint of a coyote and half moon on the top of every loaf. It makes an affordable gift with local flavor for less than $8. The bakery also serves a fresh salad with plenty of vegetables, bolillo bread and a biscochitto in two sizes - full and huge.
The bakery makes lattes and mochas with Seattle's Best
Coffee.
Morales said Golden Crown Panaderia has been featured on the Food Network 15 times and reviewed in dozens of national publications, including Gourmet Magazine.
Last month, a movie was filmed inside the bakery. Morales said he had to train the actors to bake, and he even loaned his truck for use in the movie. He has pictures of the production posted at the
bakery.
Morales said he is proud of what he and his son have accomplished and loves to share the stories behind the bakery's success.
If you drop by the Golden Crown Panaderia, ask Pratt Morales to show you his photo album. He'd be delighted to share his memories with you while you sate your sweet tooth.
Golden Crown Panaderia
1103 Mountain Road N.W.
Tuesday-Saturday
7 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday
10 a.m.-8 p.m.
