Loba Pastry offers unique black mole croissants, combining traditional techniques with rich Mexican flavors for a delightful treat.
Chicago: Valeria Socorro Velazquez Lindsten learned a lot about food from the women in her family back in Guadalajara, Mexico. Her upbringing emphasized using fresh, seasonal ingredients, which is why many items at Loba Pastry are only available at certain times of the year, like their black mole croissants.
These croissants are a fall and winter special, made with a rich mole paste that includes black sesame seeds, cocoa powder, star anise, bananas, and roasted chili peppers. There’s even a piece of dark chocolate in the center! Since making them takes a week, you can only grab them on Sundays and Mondays.
Valeria, who runs Loba Pastry at 3600 N. Lincoln Ave., combines classic French pastry techniques with Mexican flavors. She also offers red mole croissants during the holidays and green mole versions in spring and summer, featuring white chocolate.
Interestingly, Valeria didn’t like mole as a kid. The idea of a savory chocolate sauce with chicken didn’t appeal to her. But watching her family cook helped her appreciate the craft of food, turning her into a self-proclaimed “food nerd.”
She feels lucky to have grown up with fresh veggies from the fields. At 16, she moved to Chicago, worked in fine dining, and later attended pastry school to hone her skills.
Loba opened in January 2016, just a couple of blocks from their current location in Roscoe Village, which they moved into in 2023. Besides mole croissants, they offer sourdough muffins, various breads, and seasonal lattes, including a unique drink inspired by marranitos, traditional Mexican cookies.
Valeria emphasizes that Mexican food can taste different in the U.S. due to ingredient availability and quality, not just because of who makes it. Her memories of her great-grandmother’s chickens and fruit orchard inspire her work.
The name “Loba” comes from a story about a female wolf, known as “06 Female,” who made a significant impact on her pack and conservation efforts. Valeria connects with this story, seeing her bakery as a way to lead and inspire future generations.
Loba Pastry is located at 3600 N. Lincoln Ave., and the black mole croissant is priced at $6. Check out lobopastry.com for more info.
