By Ruby Caver, Social Media Intern
Cuba might be a long way from Tennessee, but their delicious food is not.
Pastelito’s is Knoxville’s first and only authentic Cuban Bakery. The business originally started in October 2021 by Ernesto and Lyana Rodriguez. However, they faced struggles during COVID-19, resulting in the unfortunate closure of their first restaurant.
The couple first started sharing their puffy pastries with neighbors and friends. With such a positive response, they decided to sell some at Knoxville Market Square and sold out in less than a few hours. Due to the continuously growing support from loyal customers and online followers, they could finally focus on expanding their business. Then, in late January of 2022, they opened Pastelito’s Cuban Bakery on Cedar Bluff and just recently opened up a location on Kingston Pike as well.
This shop is very family-oriented, hence their early closing hours, in order to spend time with loved ones. This family-owned shop has a wide variety of handmade baked goods, with popular items such as their guava and cream cheese pastries. Each item is baked fresh daily from scratch, and reviewers note: the food tastes like it’s straight from Cuba.
The interior was small but cozy, with tables and chairs you’d typically see in a tropical resort. Alongside the salsa music playing, it was like walking into Havana itself. Boxes of Café Bustelo were placed throughout the shop, which is a Cuban-style coffee brand founded in New York City by Gregorio Menendez Bustelo. The coffee became widely popular with Cuban households in the U.S. While sitting inside, I witnessed regulars stopping by, being treated like family, and praising the bakery for its delicious food. Naturally, I had to try out the menu for myself.
With several options to choose from, I decided to order a Ham and Cheese Croissant (with egg). The croissant was perfectly toasted, and the eggs were just the right amount of fluffy, adding but not taking away from the slices of ham and melted cheddar cheese. A little sweet treat is always needed after a meal, so I indulged in one of their delectable Cream Cheese Pastries, which was kindly given to me (on the house, I should add) by one of the workers. The pastry was golden brown with a crunchy outside, while being airy on the inside. Inside the pastry, the cream cheese filling was sweet with a slight tang. All their ingredients are fresh, and you can see the genuine care put into each of their baked goods.
The cashier who took my order was named Rachel. She is the manager, CFO, and social media manager for Pastelito’s. Born and raised in Knoxville, she married into the Rodriguez family. I asked, why would you recommend people to eat here? She replied with, “Cuz everything’s made with love. You’ve seen us with some of our regulars, everybody’s family, and that’s what I love, at least.”
I then asked Rachel what her favorite item on the menu was. She replied, “I’m biased. It’s gonna be my sandwich, The Chismosa, the turkey sandwich. Outside of my bias, definitely the guava pastry by itself. I think about it all the time. Even when I’m not at work, I swing by like ‘Hey, can I have one of these?’ Rachel was great to speak with, and it’s incredibly evident how much she appreciates her job and the family that comes along with it.
Pastelito’s Cuban Bakery is a small family-owned business that loves sharing its culture with the Knoxville community. Described as a hidden gem by locals, this business is friendly to its customers, often seeing them as family. Ranging from the music to the decor, the bakery creates an authentic Cuban experience that is not often seen in the Knoxville area. I would recommend visiting this establishment to anyone. Not only is Pastelito’s a place to enjoy great food, but the welcoming atmosphere is also sure to make you feel right at home.
