Mike's Pastry

The last time I was here was over a decade ago. People were packed into the store like sardines and when I got to the front of the line, I was met by a cranky lady that asked me what I wanted. I asked if she had any recommendations and she gave me a displeased look and said "everything is good."Wow have things changed. There are still quite a few people jammed into the store, but it does seem a bit more organized. The cranky ladies have been replaced with pleasant and friendly staff.We got a pistachio cannoli and a peanut butter cannoli. Both were great, but I have to give it up to the peanut butter one. The bottom was coated in chocolate, so it tasted like a ricotta relative to a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.Bring your cash as they're cash only. Cannolis are $7 a piece. I think they are totally worth it!

I heard raves about the cannoli so stopped by and got the original ricotta and the seasonal pumpkin spice.The filling was dense and filling but the cannoli shell tasted like it was fried in over used oil and stale. Even the powder sugar wasn't enough to disguise the Kentucky Fried Chicken taste .

Nut allergy warning: Seriously consider not eating here or bringing severe allergy medicine to this or any of the other cannolis locations. None of them guarantee nut allergy safety and even have signs warning against cross contamination. I generally take the smallest possible bites of a cannoli and still suffer cross contamination reactions. The things I do for a review.I brought some friends on the North Boston mini-Cannoli tour. There was already a pretty hefty 40+ person / ~20 minute wait around 8PM on a Saturday. We got a chocolate chip cannoli, to compare with other bakeries. It was the most expensive of the big three ($7 cash). Overall, we agreed that Mike's had the richest ricotta filling (very sweet, dense, and flavorful, spilling out the sides) but the worst shell (kind of soggy and not as flaky). It's definitely an intense sweet treat and we comfortably shared one cannoli among three people.Would recommend a stop by to share a cannoli.

Honey, have your money ready (cash only) and know what you want. These women have no time to wait on you. There is a cannoli war between them and modern bakery. (Think modern wins by a hair. Unless you like more mascarpone in your ricotta mix) still delicious. Stick to the classic flavors. Tourist trap that's worth it. Go here and modern in the morning to avoid waiting in line for an hour.

Wow, I feel so lucky that we were able to stroll into Mike's pastry and pick up a pistachio cannoli within two minutes. During past visits, this iconic Italian bakery has had lines out the door.Apparently, the key is to visit on a Friday morning around 10 AM. Our fresh pistachio cannoli did not disappoint. I love how it wasn't too sweet and the crunch of the pistachios topped it all off. I'm amazed by the broad diversity of Italian baked treats they offer- from biscotti and pizelles to rum baba and cookies. Very nostalgic of my nona's creations. This spot is a treasure in the heart of the north end district. There are several other bakeries with noteworthy cannolis if you find yourself craving a self-guided cannoli tour throughout the neighborhood.

My third time back to Mike's Pastry in a year, all the way from Jersey! This place is a must-visit now because my boyfriend LOVES cannoli and this is the #1 spot to get an enormous delicious cannoli.I will say the prices are steep at $7/cannoli, but there's a very big variety of flavors on the back wall to choose from including some seasonal options! So far, the flavor of cannoli has translated just to what kind of topping is going to be put on the ends of a regular ricotta cannoli, but I prefer traditional ricotta cream anyhow.

Listen, I don't begrudge a successful business that earns its reputation to the point where people are willing to wait in an excruciatingly long line. However, I do despise people who rudely cut ahead of me when the line subdivides into separate queues. A South Asian family of five did just that, and my only pleasure was derived when a couple of North End bros snapped at them. Regardless, waiting a half-hour gave me time to peruse Google.I thought it would save time to identify what were deemed the best of Mike's cannolis. However, the veteran server at the counter didn't appear to be in a hurry as she chatted freely with the neighborhood regulars in front of us. Of course, she sped up the moment I approached the counter, and her warmth suddenly left the building. She bundled our order and off we went. Now the best part of the experience. We found a playground hidden in an alleyway called Cutillo Park.There was a vacant picnic table where we enjoyed our purchases. We ordered what were proclaimed to be Mike's Top 3 cannolis out of 20 varieties. The first was the Espresso with a fluffy coffee cream filling and cinnamon powder (photo: https://yelp.to/tlMHB6X7Wh). The second was the Florentine with a vanilla cream filling and thicker, darker shell (photo: https://yelp.to/Ux-PHbB3iH). The third was the most straightforward, the Plain Ricotta Cheese with fresh ricotta (photo: https://yelp.to/y047jJCw_U).Each was $7 and uniquely delicious. We dared to order a fourth, the Pistachio which was way down in the ranking (#14) but creamy, tasty, and nutty just the same (photo: https://yelp.to/otrirTavSp). We noticed a couple of complementary Pignoli Macaroons that were freshly baked and meltably good (photo: https://yelp.to/nvSz2zENiw). The late Michael Mercogliano is the Mike who created his cannoli in 1946 and lived to the age of 90 in 2012. Thought you might want to know.CANNOLIS - 4 stars...genuinely well crafted, just a little too big and unavoidably messyAMBIANCE - 3 stars...a zoo but a well kept oneSERVICE - 3 stars...if you're not from the 'hood, fuggetaboutit...and somebody come out here and manage the damn queueTOTAL - 4 stars...best enjoyed in quietudeRELATED - Exploring Boston? Here's my collection of places I've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3XtfnFc

I gave Mike's Pastry's 5 Stars but I'd give them more if there was an option! The ultimate Boston experience! I can't say enough about all of the pastry's, but the Boston Cream Donut...out of this world. It's probably the best thing I ate during my time in Boston. The line is always long but that's all part of the experience! Your anticipation and excitement can build while you wait, knowing what's waiting for you inside the glass cases. Go! And even if the line is out of the door, get in it and count yourself lucky you're there!

Pastries are outstanding. Service was quick. The lines inside moved quickly. I have not seen so many flavors for cannolis.Beware, though. They only take cash.This is a very casual place. No restrooms, and no tables.They have four locations to choose from.

Yummy as always. Enjoyed a new one for me, chocolate ricotta is my new favorite. Still love ricotta with Chocolate Chips and a Lobster Tail.