Mates on Crates Feat. Ricardo Gutierrez
G’day,
Those in the know, know where to go.
We’re excited to have just launched our latest episode of Mates on Crates, featuring Ricardo Gutierrez, Sales & Marketing Manager and Bartender at Mercado Panaderia on East Hastings, Vancouver BC. Opened in 2025, Mercado Panadería is a neighbourhood Mexican bakery bringing traditional pan dulce, tortas, tamales, coffee, and other Mexican favourites to East Vancouver. Guests can look forward to freshly baked conchas, cubiletes, bigotes and other pastries, along with a menu that celebrates authentic Mexican flavours. Ricardo brings a passion for Mexican food, cocktails, and hospitality to his work, with a particular interest in authentic Mexican flavours, and bringing Mexican and Canadian influences together. It was a pleasure to sit down with Ricardo to chat Mercado Panadería, its Mexican certification process, the Pantitlán speakeasy, and all of Ricardo’s favourite spots.
Each time we do a Mates on Crates interview, our guests share up to twenty of their favourites with us. For each episode, only a handful of those favourites make it into the final two minute cut. In order to highlight all of our guest’s favourites, we are happy to share the full list of favourites right here.
What to get at Mercado Panaderia:
Dessert: Flan
Pairing: Americano
The FULL LIST of Ricardo’s Local Favourites:
Brunch: Originals Cafe Mexicano (Carne Asada)
Cocktail Bar: Meo
Coffee: East Café (Spanish Latte), Mercado Panaderia (Americano)
Dying to Try: Kissa Tanto
Food Neighbourhood: Port Moody
Hidden Gem: Pantitlán Bar
Homestyle Mexican Dish: Mole
Last Meal That Blew Them Away: Originals Cafe Mexicano (Enchiladas Costeñas)
Latin Bar: Mango’s Kitchen Bar
Neighbourhood Favourites (East Van): East Cafe, It’s Okay, Haliná, Breka
Pizza: Osteria Povera
Sushi: Sushi Howe
Tequila: Don Julio Setenta
Thanks for joining us, Ricardo!
Watch Ricardo’s full Mates on Crates Episode below.
