Acapulco Mexican Bakery #3 Introduce
Introduction / Overview
For residents of Iowa City and the surrounding communities, Acapulco Mexican Bakery #3 stands as a treasured local gem, offering a truly authentic taste of Mexico right here in the heart of Iowa. Located on Southgate Avenue, this bakery is far more than a conventional sweet shop; it is a dedicated source for traditional pan dulce (sweet bread) and renowned Mexican desserts, crafted with recipes passed down through generations.
Stepping into Acapulco Mexican Bakery #3 is an experience in itself, where the sights and aromas of freshly baked goods connect customers to the rich culinary traditions of Mexico. The core appeal of this establishment is its specialization in genuine, daily-baked items that are often hard to find elsewhere, providing a unique cultural offering to the Iowa City area.
One item that receives consistent, glowing praise from local patrons is their Tres Leches Cake. Customers frequently highlight this cake, noting its exceptional moistness, rich flavor, and perfect sweetness, making it a stellar choice for birthdays, holidays, or any celebratory occasion. Beyond the cakes, the bakery provides a vibrant selection of sweet and savory items that cater to both familiar tastes and those eager to explore traditional Mexican baking. This makes Acapulco Mexican Bakery #3 an essential and unique addition to the local food scene, providing quality and authenticity in every bite.
Location and Accessibility
Acapulco Mexican Bakery #3 is conveniently situated at 515 Southgate Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA. Its location provides easy access for residents throughout the Iowa City area and nearby towns. The bakery's placement within a commercial area ensures it is a practical and convenient stop for customers.
For patrons traveling to the location, the bakery has taken steps to ensure a convenient experience:
- The facility includes a Wheelchair accessible parking lot, allowing for ease of access directly from your vehicle.
- The operational model is designed for a Quick visit, perfect for local users who need to grab fresh bread or a dessert without a lengthy wait.
While the primary mode of service is counter-based, the focus on quick transactions and ready-to-go items supports the busy schedules of Iowa residents. The immediate area around Southgate Avenue is well-connected, making the bakery an easy stop whether you are running errands or heading to a gathering.
Services Offered
Acapulco Mexican Bakery #3 is focused on delivering exceptional, traditional baked goods and customer convenience:
- Authentic Mexican Pastries (Pan Dulce): Offering a daily rotating selection of Mexican sweet breads, which often includes popular favorites like Conchas (shell-shaped sweet rolls with a crunchy topping), Empanadas (sweet turnovers with fruit or cream fillings), and Marranitos (pig-shaped gingerbread cookies).
- Celebration Cakes: Specializing in the highly-regarded Tres Leches Cake (three-milk cake), which is a creamy, moist, and immensely popular option for parties and special events, often available in various sizes.
- Traditional Savory Breads: Baking daily essentials like Bolillos (crusty, oval-shaped rolls) and Teleras (flatter, rounder rolls), which are fundamental for making authentic Mexican sandwiches (tortas).
- Takeout Service: All baked goods are available for Takeout, allowing customers to quickly select their items and be on their way to enjoy their treats at home or an event.
- Variety of Payment Options: For convenience, the bakery accepts modern payment methods, including Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, making transactions quick and effortless.
Features / Highlights
What makes Acapulco Mexican Bakery #3 stand out for the Iowa City community is its commitment to authenticity and the quality of its specialty items:
- The Star Attraction: Tres Leches Cake: This dessert is consistently highlighted by local customers for its incredible quality, often described as a perfect example of the traditional recipe—rich, creamy, and satisfyingly moist. It is a genuine feature that draws repeat business.
- True Panadería Experience: Unlike conventional bakeries, Acapulco #3 offers the true 'panadería' atmosphere, where a vast, colorful selection of pan dulce is laid out for customers to select using traditional trays and tongs, creating an engaging and authentic shopping process.
- Cultural Authenticity in Iowa: The bakery serves as an important cultural touchpoint, providing access to traditional Mexican baked goods that are a staple in Mexican households. This unique offering enriches the culinary diversity of the Iowa City area.
- Affordable Indulgence: Traditional pan dulce is known for being an accessible, affordable, everyday treat. This characteristic ensures that local residents can enjoy a piece of authentic culture and a delicious pastry whenever the craving strikes, without a premium price tag.
- Customer-Praised Quality: Beyond the specific items, the overall quality of the products is recognized by customers who appreciate the effort that goes into making the bread fresh, soft, and flavorful, reflecting high standards in traditional baking techniques.
Contact Information
To contact the bakery regarding orders, product availability, or general inquiries, please use the following information:
Address: 515 Southgate Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
Phone: (319) 338-1122
Mobile Phone: +1 319-338-1122
What is Worth Choosing
Acapulco Mexican Bakery #3 is unequivocally worth choosing for Iowa residents seeking an authentic, high-quality bakery experience that is unique in the Iowa City market. You should choose this bakery if you are looking for genuine flavors—not just generic sweet treats. The dedication to traditional Mexican baking means that staple items like conchas, bolillos, and especially the moist, decadent Tres Leches Cake are prepared with expertise and care.
What truly sets this location apart is its cultural specialization. It offers a vital connection to Mexican culinary heritage, providing the kind of pan dulce that many local Iowans may have enjoyed during travels or that are nostalgic to community members with roots in Mexico. While a simple Takeout model and quick payment options make the visit efficient, the reward is a uniquely rich and delicious product. Even with potential communication hurdles—as noted by some customers—the universal language of exceptional, reasonably priced baked goods shines through, confirming that the extraordinary quality of the desserts and bread is absolutely worth the visit. For the best, most authentic Mexican sweet bread and cakes in the area, Acapulco Mexican Bakery #3 is the clear local choice.
Acapulco Mexican Bakery #3 Details
Service options
- Takeout
- Delivery
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Planning
- Quick visit
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Acapulco Mexican Bakery #3 Photos





Acapulco Mexican Bakery #3 Location
Acapulco Mexican Bakery #3
515 Southgate Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
Acapulco Mexican Bakery #3 Reviews
3 leches
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Excellent treats and reasonably priced! However, if you’re going for the first time, just be mindful of the language barrier. The lady working only seemed to understand Spanish, but we eventually got it figured out.
August 11 · Olivia WhiteWe got 1 of their tres leches cakes for my birthday. It was AMAZING!
August 07 · dawn scharePerfect ambient of real bakery!You can grab a tray and fill it with breads, cakes, and cookies if your choice. If you never had experience of a real bakery, must try this one.Loved their tres leches. It’s authentic, delicious, and cheaper compared to the other stores/bakeries.
September 27 · Mahmudul Alam ShakibVery delicious Mexican bread ...yummy 😋
September 24 · Francisca RuizNew bakery with good selection and yummy!
November 21 · Cindy Robertson
More Bakery Near Me
Elida's Bakery5.0 (47 reviews)2128 S Riverside Dr #99, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
Walmart Bakery3.0 (3 reviews)919 Hwy 1 W, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
Donutland4.0 (212 reviews)1681 S 1st Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
Bread Worthy Bakery4.0 (16 reviews)Farmers Market, 405 E Washington St Stall 16, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
Java House Bakery4.0 (7 reviews)211 E Washington St, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
THE EAT SHOP at the UI College of Law5.0 (4 reviews)130 Byington Rd, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
THE EAT SHOP at the UI College of Public Health0.0 (0 reviews)145 N Riverside Dr Room S123, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
Bruegger's Bagels4.0 (384 reviews)404 1st Ave, Coralville, IA 52241, USA
Hurts Donut Co.4.0 (1673 reviews)1301 5th St Ste 105, Coralville, IA 52241, USA
Woofables, The Gourmet Dog Bakery5.0 (2 reviews)1900 James St, Coralville, IA 52241, USA
Hy-Vee Bakery3.0 (6 reviews)1914 8th St, Coralville, IA 52241, USA
Nothing Bundt Cakes4.0 (53 reviews)2611 James St Suite 100, Coralville, IA 52241, USA
Categories
Top Visited Sites
The Cookie Monstah4.0 (206 reviews)
Costco Bakery5.0 (5 reviews)
The original Ny bagels4.0 (453 reviews)
Costco Bakery5.0 (1 reviews)
Honey Dew Donuts4.0 (90 reviews)
The Daly Bagel4.0 (402 reviews)Top Bakery Searches
Trending Bakery Tales Posts
How to Make the Best Caramel Apple Pie from Scratch
How to Make the Best Homemade Pecan Pie Step by Step
How to Create Beautiful Cake Layers for Any Celebration
How to Make the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies with a Secret Ingredient
Why Local Bakeries Are the Heart of Your Community
How to Make Perfect Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
