Marilus Bakery

I tried Marilu's bakery many simply because of the tamales. I prefer the Guatemalan, as they are wrapped in banana leaf and the dough is very soft as opposed to the Mexican style tamales. I remember trying them years back and they were better. They are up to $4 and it was all masa. I kept hoping there would be more chicken as was opening the wrap. The amount of chicken of the tamale was minimal. For the price point, I was expecting more chicken.The staff is friendly and there is seating inside the bakery if you want to grab some food and it it there.

Today, I was in the area and decided to check out Marilus Bakery. I dont know what to get, but my server recommended the Chapin breakfast (Guatemalan style). Wow, amazing! Eggs, cheese, beans, sausage, thick tortillas, fried plantains, sweet bread, and if you ask, they give you hot sauces that they make. The red one is very spicy! The coffee was perfect and strong. They have other foods, juices, coffees and a lot of pan dulce. Very welcoming and helpful.

Great staff helped me out in a pinch! Beautiful cakes. Can't wait to come try more! They seem to have an exciting selection of Tres Leches

Picked up a large box of pan dulce. Lots of deliciously fresh baked items to choose from as well as cakes, coffee, cocoa and freshly made champurrado. I loved seeing the kitchen in action baking all kinds of yummy things. The champurrado was hot and tasty, perfect for my drive in to work on a cold and rainy day. Plenty of street parking. I can't wait to go back to try more items. Thank you Marilu's Bakery!

Marilu's has been around for a long time. The quality of the bread has stayed the same (subpar) throughout this entire time, but the prices have increased. I've had incredible pan dulce, specifically Guatemalan, from other bakeries and at better prices. To be completely transparent, I believe Marilu's is still in business for 2 reasons, 1. because they're the only Bakery in the area outside of the generic pan dulce sold at big chains like Northgate for example. The second reason would be due to the other menu items such as the juice bar and the tamales + other food items. I contemplated for long what I would include in this review. I've had a lot of negative experiences, more than positive ones. Myself, relatives, friends, neighbors. We have all had the same or very similar experiences. But I don't want to highlight any of them in this review. Having patronized this business for so many years and seeing where they lack, not having any improvement at all over time. It's clear they get enough business to not look into better management and customer service. They've even opened a 2nd bakery on Anaheim street. Customer service is an area that no business can afford to lack in. A couple of snobby, rude, employees can greatly impact business BUT so can one single warm, attentive, respectful employee. That is the case here, there's that one ray of sunshine that makes up for it all. I recommend Marilu's for the Guatemalan tamales, those are actually good. Not the bread. And not the Mexican tamales. The Guatemalan ones!! Wrapped in banana leaves. BUT also, they do have the "torta de tamal" which is a ridiculous Mexican creation. Basically a tamale sandwich. Double the carbs, but double the yum. Give that a try if you choose to stop by. Otherwise, you can get your pan dulce elsewhere at a better price and quality level. Just my very tried and true, honest opinion.NOTE: I noticed most of the 5 star reviews were from people that purchased a cake from them. Very interesting. Maybe the more you stop in to spend, the better the treatment. As far as the regulars that stop by for some bread here and there, they know they'll be back around so why be extra nice? lol, just an observation. I have never purchased a cake from them, I go to Rossmoor, Tropicana, or Porto's for that. But maybe that's something they won't disappoint at. Give that a try!

This was not my first time visiting Marilus. In fact this is one of many. Marilus is usually my indulgence I reward myself after a very long week of work. The pastries are delicious...but the tamales.. oh my. The best chicken, pork and cheese tamales in Long Beach. I've been everywhere in long beach and no one IMO can touch Marilus. What I love about Marilus is I can walk in with $25 and feed my family. I also love that they are open at 430 am. P.S if you want the yummy tamales you better go early or you'll have to wait till the next day.

This cake is absolutely stunning and very delicious I love how this cake was decorated so nicely .The service was excellent and friendly.

Iced coffee and their bakery is so good!! It's always a must every time I leave for work, just to stop by and grab something.

Great food, great service. I recommend the Guatemalan tamal and the beef torta. Looking fwd to returning.

BAIT & SWITCH- Price doubled quote over the phone-I called and provided details for a custom cake order, when I arrived in person the cost jumped from $40 to $75