BajaNomad - SIMA donut shop between Ensenada and Maneadero

SIMA donut shop between Ensenada and Maneadero

Packoderm - 1-12-2009 at 02:03 PM

It has become a tradition for us to stop at SIMA on the way back from vacation each year. Each year, the donuts get closer to the taste and texture of U.S. grade donuts.

Especially good was the custard filled, chocolate iced pastry as seen in the far left of the middle shelf. The custard really helped in adding moistness.

We also had various donuts, twists, bars, and a muffin. Each was pretty tasty. Compared to local shops here at home in No. Ca., I'd give the donuts at SIMA an 8 1/2 out of 10. Again, they are getting closer to donuts in the U.S. in taste and moistness. However, that rating is actually seems a bit deflated at the time and place when you take the absence of donuts factor into account. Moistness is often the weakness in Mexican made donuts. I do know that the AM/PM minimart in Rosarito sells excellent donuts, but they are prohibitively expensive. At SIMA, we got one custard filled, two standard donuts, a twist, and a muffin for about 40 pesos give or take 5 pesos.

All in all, I'd recommend SIMA to anybody passing through. They let us use their restroom facilities, and if I remember correctly, the clerk spoke English.
The tradition will definitely continue for us as long as SIMA is open for business.

Bajahowodd - 1-12-2009 at 03:12 PM

Which side of the road? And, is it north of the Estero Beach turn off?

Packoderm - 1-12-2009 at 03:26 PM

Panificadora Sima

Carr Transpeninsular 414 S/n, Maneadero
Ensenada, Baja California 22790
Tel: 614.004-0530

I got a refrigerator magnet from there that lists the phone number as 154-0530. It is on the east side of the road. I don't remember where it is in relation to Estero Beach, but it isn't far from there.

DENNIS - 1-12-2009 at 03:30 PM

I agree, Sima is good. Decorated cakes are their specialty. Bolillos are out of the oven at 11 AM.

Now, if you happen to be in Ensenada in the AM, across the street from the Navy base is Tutti Donas. It's a chain and they have the best Apple Fritters / Frituras in the whole wide world. Good donuts as well.

Sima is located in Maneadero on the highway, east side of the street, on a corner across from Ma. Luisa's grocery store which has a reliable ATM. All that is around the middle of town. Try it, you'll like it.

Bajahowodd - 1-12-2009 at 03:39 PM

If I happened to find myself in front of Tutti Donas in the AM, I'd probably go and have breakfast next door at las Cazuelas.

DENNIS - 1-12-2009 at 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
If I happened to find myself in front of Tutti Donas in the AM, I'd probably go and have breakfast next door at las Cazuelas.

That's another good choice, for sure. Bring frituras with you.

Bajahowodd - 1-12-2009 at 04:05 PM

Naw. I'll pig out in Las Cazuelas and then go next door for some frituras to take with.

DENNIS - 1-12-2009 at 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Naw. I'll pig out in Las Cazuelas and then go next door for some frituras to take with.

That's better yet.

BajaGringo - 1-12-2009 at 04:40 PM

I have passed by SIMA's many times and thought of trying them out. Do they open early???

DENNIS - 1-12-2009 at 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
I have passed by SIMA's many times and thought of trying them out. Do they open early???

Not sure. 8:00 maybe. Remember, no Bolillos till 11:00 AM. And, don't forget Tutti's in town if you're on the run. You won't regret any of this. I'm surprised the cartels havn't gotten into Apple Fritters. Way better than dope.

DianaT - 1-12-2009 at 06:01 PM

Thanks----good to hear that they are good. We will try them.

Did Lucy get just a little bite?

From your pictures in the other thread, it looks like Lucy is going to very well spoiled in a good way.

Diane

Packoderm - 1-12-2009 at 06:21 PM

No, she did not get any donut. I really don't feed my dogs table scraps. I did win Lucy's heart by giving her some fried shrimp in San Roque, but then I pretty much cut her off. I did allow some bits of food that I cook in camp fall while Lucy was diligently patrolling the drop zone. I try to keep my dogs with their girlish figures. But other than that, they are very spoiled with cuddles, couch privileges and stuff.

I like to show off my dogs:

BajaGringo - 1-12-2009 at 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Not sure. 8:00 maybe. Remember, no Bolillos till 11:00 AM. And, don't forget Tutti's in town if you're on the run. You won't regret any of this. I'm surprised the cartels havn't gotten into Apple Fritters. Way better than dope.

There is a Tutti's in Rosarito and they do have good donuts. Since seeing this thread it will now be extremely difficult to pass through Ensenada in my early morning runs without making a stop.

How can anybody pass up on fresh donuts and coffee???

:bounce:

BornFisher - 1-12-2009 at 08:58 PM

BajaGringo-- Try the one in Primo Tapia, on the east side about midtown. They open at 5AM, with a limited selection that grows each minute. The apple fritters are my favorite, but the old fashion plain are the ones I go to most. The apple fritters at the Pemex station on the south side of Rosirito taste like greese. Last one I bought went to the seagulls!
BTW, it`s a doughnut and pizza place, so the sign says, "donas and pizza" or something like that. I`m not much of a doughnut guy, but when I`m going fishing, a doughnut and milk get me by for awhile. TIP-- on the way to Prima Tapia, look for a blue cooler outside the xxoo. Raymond has KILLER burritos for $1. Cream chicken, chorizo and eggs, always something new.

BajaGringo - 1-12-2009 at 09:32 PM

I don't usually get off at Primo Tapia on my way down as I am usually all gassed up but you definitely gave me something to think about. Especially if my stomach is growling.

It would work as I usually leave around 5:00...

EnseNADAslim - 1-17-2009 at 11:04 PM

Pan Sima, great place. We take most of our visiting groups there for their first "Sweet bread" experience. BTW, the best time for sweet bread is at night. That's when most of the locals buy their bread, so it's usually fresh.

bajabound2005 - 1-18-2009 at 10:56 AM

Pan Sima also makes a whole wheat baguette that is excellent, especially toasted!

It is located well into Maneadero (as opposed to between Ensenada and Maneadero). It is right next to the mercado Maria Luisa (fairly good size grocery).

[Edited on 1-18-2009 by bajabound2005]

SoCal-Bob - 10-12-2010 at 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabound2005
It is located well into Maneadero (as opposed to between Ensenada and Maneadero). It is right next to the mercado Maria Luisa (fairly good size grocery).

[Edited on 1-18-2009 by bajabound2005]

I'm gonna have to try this place.

google map:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&...

DENNIS - 10-13-2010 at 06:36 AM

Fresh Bolillos....after 11:00 AM. Not before.

Elena La Loca - 10-13-2010 at 07:07 AM

Just through there on Sunday, we made a weighpoint at the signal light. Pan Sima is on the SE corner and Maria Luisa market (where some really good cuts of meat can be found) is on the NE corner.

N31º 43.036
W116º 34.315

SoCal-Bob - 10-18-2010 at 11:18 AM

Didn't get a chance to stop in at Sima (we were too early into Maneadero on Saturday). But we did try the Tutti Donas in Ensenada mentioned early in the thread.

Walked in at 9a.m., saw the 10ft long donut case had three kinds of donuts, a grand total of about 2 dozen donuts, and no coffee. Stood there for about 30 seconds, no one came out, walked back out. Are donuts and coffee an afternoon or late night snack in Ensenada? Were we too late or too early? What's the deal with this place?

DENNIS - 10-18-2010 at 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SoCal-Bob
Walked in at 9a.m., saw the 10ft long donut case had three kinds of donuts, a grand total of about 2 dozen donuts, and no coffee. Stood there for about 30 seconds, no one came out, walked back out. Are donuts and coffee an afternoon or late night snack in Ensenada? Were we too late or too early? What's the deal with this place?

Ohhh Noooo....this is freakin' awful. That's my number one recommendation although I haven't been in there at that time for a while.
Definitly something wrong. Maybe the OXXO across the street has affected their business. I don't know.

AM coffee is for sure a Mexico thing. Perhaps you got there too late. I don't know.
No hot Apple Fritters???
I think I'm getting sick to my stomach.

I'll look into this. Something is just plain wrong.

bajadock - 10-18-2010 at 01:01 PM

I'm not a donut/pastry guy. I know that is completely un-Norte Americano and Un-Nomad.

But, one door south of Pan Sima is my favorite hair cutter, Maria. Shop is a small storefront to her home with a Betty Boop sign on the north wall. She has been hacking my hairs for 3.5 years.

Cuts are professional and conversation is lively with Maria en inglés o español.

We return you back to the fritters and fried dough regular programming.

[Edited on 10-18-2010 by bajadock]

Bajahowodd - 10-18-2010 at 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

There's been an OXXO next door to the donut shop for years. Maybe just another casualty of the recession and lack of tourism.