PAN MEXICANO

We have a much smaller Hispanic population than most American cities (no idea why) but what we have has its commercial center on Cherokee Street, where we've been hanging out the last couple of days. Panaderia Lillys (no apostrophe s) is a fixture. I've visited and there is a lot more good stuff than bread.

I love the bright tropical colors, perfectly situated for the late afternoon sun. The minor league linguist in me is intrigued by the Spanglish mix - the Spanish word for bakery, the modifying word after the noun as in Spanish but using an English form with a small grammatical error, and then a description of what they sell in English. I couldn't tell you what makes Mexican bread different than any other. Maybe I should go buy some.                

PANDEMIC IN SPRINGTIME 5 - PANADERIA LILLYS

Unlike most American cities, we don't have a big Latino population but of course there is some. Its commercial center is Cherokee Street, where the businesses are mixed with an eclectic bunch of restaurants (Hispanic and not), bars, art galleries, night clubs and clothing stores. This is where you come if you want genuine pan Mexicana, a pair of hand tooled botas de vaquero or an old-fashioned dulceria. 

No one knows how many of these businesses will survive the pandemic. Several restaurants sell take away food at the door but is it enough to get by? I fear that a number of bars, breweries and galleries won't make it. Check back in the fall.