Very unorganized and staff is very rude. Not worth all the hype, go to a bakery that cares about their customers.

This place needs to learn how to treat their customers. This guy today was one rude person almost like the soup nazi from Seinfeld. The food is ok but not worth the Hassel and the attitude they give. read more

Stopped by last week and bought a dozen tamales. $18 for a dozen, mixed cheese/pork. The masa was soft and tender. I didn't get a chance to try the pork, my co-workers got to those first. They said they were good. The cheese had good flavor and adequate fillings in both types. I'm big on ratios and it wasn't all masa, huge plus especially when paying $18 a dozen. I was very discouraged about coming here due to the reviews on customer service. I was helped by a younger gentleman and I found him polite and helpful. I will definitely be back to try the sweet bread. read more

This weekend I got some tamales, carnitas and sweet was good, but the beef one was nasty. I also got menudo, it was ok, because in the past it was delicious, but this time the meat wasn't chop up small, this time there were some that were cut big and some very small. Wasn't happy wi read more

Dear God, if i could have one request before i leave this great world of yours, it would be to experience food that takes me to that place in my head, where i keep the best memories. memories like when i got that bike i wanted for Christmas at age 8. memories like watching my grandpa make menudo when i was just a little tot. i want somewhere i can go to smell those aromas that make me close my eyes, and turn the date back to the early 80's when my mom and I are buying some Pan Dulce after church on sunday. whats that, God? Santa Fe Springs? La Moderna? I'm on my way." Nestled in a short strip mall, on Norwalk blvd. just south of Washington, in beautiful Santa Fe Springs, you will find a tiny closet of a place called La Moderna. if Jesus came to Santa Fe Spings and asked me for something good to eat, you better believe im taking my buddy chuy over to La Moderna. i have to say that i am a fairly recent customer, having only discovered LaMod only about 10 years ago. before that, when it came to Pan, i was loyal to Duran's in Pico Rivera. even before that, my family was dedicated to "La Michoacana" in Norwalk. The Latter has been closed for many years, but Durans is still doin it strong. LaMod has a lot of great things going its way. the Pan is fantastic, and very cheap! but when you can go to a panaderia(Bakery) and also pick up some of the juiciest, crispiest, most flavorful carnitas i have ever tasted, its all win-win. order some carnitas and they'll also throw in some of their great salsa, For Free! i must mention the Chicharrones as well, and these are the best!! i love these because they are the kind with some meat still attached. sooo delicious. downside - THEY RUN OUT!! get there early! this place has no business ever being on any kind of health-conscious radar. the food is fatty, lard-filled, salt crazy, and sugar coated. but its the very fact that LaMod holds nothing back that makes it awesome. i know many families that live nowhere near this place and travel many miles just to pick up Masa from here to make tamales. what makes that statement important is that they usually pass up many other Masa havens(Dianas) on their way to La Moderna. all in all, i know that someday my arteries are going to let me know how much of a mistake all those carnitas and conchas were. but i think it was the book of Neil Young that says "it's better to burn out, than fade away." read more

STOP!!! READ THIS!!! They don't sell eggs here or any type of complete breakfast plate like the ones shown in the pictures. The photos are of tamales and breads from the location prepared at home. This is to go only, but they are still VERY DELICIOUS. That out of the way I will tell you about my first time visit and how I found out about this place. My wife came home and was raving about her lunch meeting. Apparently her office stopped here in order to take food to a meeting and they all enjoyed it. She stated that these were the best tamales she has ever had. So I was intrigued and stopped on my way to bring her breakfast at work. My son and I found the place very easily and were shocked when we didn't see any chairs. I had told him we would eat there and then go but it is only a counter when you enter. Even though I was disappointed to notice that there are no eggs or rice or sandwiches on the menu the prices were very reasonable. So I ordered a variety of there tamales like the red pork, cheese, and 2 red beef with a side of beans. I also remembered to get a quarter pound of carnitas so I could try it. It all cost me about $12 and since it was over $5 I was able to pay with my card. I then drove off and found a parking spot near my wife's job and me and my son had a morning picnic in the car. Lucky I had water in the car and we went to town on the tamales. My 5 year old mentioned that they weren't very spicy but that they tasted very good. I had to agree because we almost ate the 4th tamale that was meant for my wife. Since I didn't receive a spoon we were not able to taste the beans but they smelled good. The carnitas had a good flavor with a hint of citrus possibly from the preparation process since they are fried. I eventually took some to her and I prepared some at home in a toritilla and they went done bomb. So if you are looking for a tamale fix or an order of carnitas I would definitely tell you to come here. As for the service it was average nothing spectacular but it is a counter and people need to relax a bit unless they literally get insulted. Great tamales so try them out they may make the top of your list with the amount of meat inside them. read more

I came here to get some carnitas after I was told I would not be disappointed. I went up to the counter to order and the guy behind the counter was busy talking to one of the customers getting bread. I asked him if I could get some carnitas and he said " can't you see I'm busy" I stood there and listen to them talk about their weekend plans while others came in to buy bread. After he charged the lady, I thought he would take care of me, but instead he eyed me and went over to the people getting bread and took care if them. When I told him I was next he just said to me "the lines over here by the bread you're not in it". I looked over to the wall and saw pictures of him hunting and holding rifles. I figured he was in charge and I wasn't going to get any good service, so I left. What an egotistical prick! I don't care how good the food might be, you don't treat any kind of customer that way. Drive a little farther to Rosemead Boulevard to la Bonita bakery. Great food and customer service... always! I gave it one stars because you cannot give zero stars. read more

no stars for the service, The girl with the big nose and shiny Face is very rude she is rude to every customer that walks in there and it is very sad because this place is very expensive you think these people would be a little bit nicer to their customers. Today I went in there and bought some bread the girl at the register dropped my bread on the floor and still expected me to buy that bread I open my bag and all over is frosting so I asked to replace it and she rolled her eyes and replaced it. These people have a lot of nerve I'm sure there are plenty of other place to go and not get treated like garbage read more

I haven't ate or been here, but my buddies were telling me how good the tamales were. On the todo list.

Been coming to this place for over 30 years since a child and never had a bad experience my family and myself love there Menudo, pan Dulce and tamales there bread is very soft especially in the morning and carnitas are very good!! read more

Best tamales in Whittier! The menudo on weekends is as equally tasteful. Other menu items: Mexican sweet bread and carnitas. Staff are not so friendly, possibly because of the amount of customers they attend to. Rating is only for the food, not customer service. read more

Their pan Dulce is the best in town and always fresh. Tamales have been bought here for 20+ years. Carnitas is very tasty and their small bolillos are super soft and inexpensive. read more

The customer service is poor at best. The food is just ok. If you live more than a block from the location, save your gas.

Bad and rude service, I waited in line outside before they opened at 7 am once they open some guy that works there announced that they won't be selling tamales unless you've placed an order wtf is that all about how could you not be selling tamales? anyway I don't see what the hype is all about they are good but I don't think I'll be back I only waited in line in the first place cause my husband wanted tamales. I'm so over this place. read more

Waited in line, there was 20 people in front of me for menudo just to get to the front and have them say "we are out ". They clearly saw all the people with pots and could have announced that they were out of menudo, but instead they have you wait. The staff plus the owner lack customer service and are very rude by telling customers to move. It seems like its a family business because the staff has an I don't care attitude. Doesn't matter how good the food is if the service sucks. I now drive to the panaderia on Whittier and Laurel way better food way better service and better pricing. Avoid going here at all cost. read more

Just felt like sharing some info here about all the "raw tamales" out cries in the negative reviews. Customers complained because upon serving their purchased tamales they discovered the tamales were raw. I had the opportunity one Christmas season to speak to one of the owners and shared my dismay to discover my tamales were raw as I was purchasing them. I thought I would be heating them up in the oven or microwave. The owner was kind and patient. He explained how easy it was to place the tamales in a pan with a little water and stand the tamales up. Cover the pot, and on low heat, steam the raw tamales for about 30-40 minutes depending on the amount. Christmas Eve at my house smelled like my beloved grandma was in the kitchen! The smell filled the entire house. The steam and sound of the lid opening and closing surpassed the fake smell of the scented pine cones. This morning I'm steaming tamales I purchased yesterday and the memories return. How do you thank someone for taking the time to enlighten you? I hope the owner reads Yelp. read more

I have been coming to this establishment to get my tamale fix, but lately the tamales have been super oily and just taste bland. Also the service here has been rude. The workers look bothered all the time and have that "wtf do you want here?" look. Like, I'm sorry I'm a customer who comes here to buy your product, which helps keeps your business going. Must be annoying making money for your business I guess. read more

Carnitas and chicharrones are delicious. Will be making a stop whenever I'm in the Whittier area.

I've seen many bad reviews about the service here but I am glad to say the service I got was excellent I ordered 10 dozen tamales spoke to Mario over the phone he was so pleasant got there for pick up everything was ready and everyone was so nice and the tamales were great too so my experience was great keep it up La Moderna read more

The tamales are really delicious there. However, there customer service is really bad. The lady who serves you is always in a bad mood. She will not smile and she always has a frown on her face. It is as if she does not want to be bother. She will not say thank you. She puts the food in a bag and takes the money and turns away. Bad customer service. For these reasons, I stop going. read more

Okay, so the reason I am writing this review at 12 midnight is because I am having a serious fat kid moment, and I'm am craving some of their delicious carnitas and flavorful salsa. mmmmm....and top it off with a delicious green and cheese tamale and freshly baked pumpkin empanada. So delicious! I love this place and have been going for years with my mama! I agree with Malena--the tamale making gene skipped my mom's generation, and we get all of our tamales from here during the holidays. A couple tips are...come early in the day for the carnitas, because they usually run out and order your tamales early to avoid the holiday rush. People come from all over for this little hole in the wall! :) read more

Best Pan Dulce ever. Seriously even better than driving down to East LA. They also have great home made salsa and the carnitas are out of this world and perfect for making home made tortas! read more

I love this place. They have the best carnitas, menudo, tamales, you name it. The perfect place to pick up breakfast on the weekends and bring home to your family. The prices are extremley reasonable, just make sure to get there early on the weekends because the menudo runs out pretty quickly read more

You know it's good when you accidentally eat a pound of carnitas and 5 bolio rolls in one sitting. Don't judge me.

I've been going to this location for many years and ever since the siblings took over the customer service is garbage ... The food now salty and dry ... Sad to say but goodbye .. read more

First few times coming to this place and I have to say. I love how fresh their bread is. It's always soft and has an amazing taste.

Stumbled upon this place on Yelp, and again yelp does not fail me! It is located in a small complex amongst tiny shops and a small parking lot. As soon as you walk in you greeted with the aroma of baked goods!!! And they have more.... They sell various tamales, homemade salsa and guacamole, homemade chicharones, and homemade mexican candy!! Everything looked tempting, but I settled for the following: -sweet tamale: I was expecting the sweet corn kind, but instead got a pleasantly flavored corn tamale with raisin and cinnamon. This was definitely sweet, but the cinnamon was the star! it was good with a cup of milk! -Cheese and chile tamale: VERY delicious. the cheese was not too greasy and the chile had the right spicy-ness -Pork and chile tamale: not my favorite one, but still pretty good. I was said because they ran out of the chicken tamales!! I guess get there early to get those -Chips: yes they have the bags of chips that are homemade and authentic! -Salsa: their homemade pico de gallo was yummy! -Homemade guacamole: i got a pint of it, and just beware because it will go bad after a day. it should be consumed the day of, and a pint is a good size to feed up to three people! This was also very good, with the right amount of cilantro and jalapeno! I would definitely be back, but only when I am around the place. sadly this place is way to far from me! read more

I've been coming here for about 7 years since I've moved into the Whittier area. I'm addicted to their red beef tamales especially. They are a true complete Mexican bakery. You can expect long lines on Saturday and Sunday mornings. This in fact is a true mark of an exceptional panaderia. The menudo is excellent. Along with the sweet bread of course. I'll often surprise my gringo office friends and watch them go nuts over the tamales and sweet bread. I can't really add much to whats already been said below. This is only a walk in and carry out place. There is no place to sit to eat your grub. It is kind of hard to find but don't give up. It's so worth the effort. You will be hooked. read more

Their tamales are delicious. But sorry to say the sweet bread is not good. Find another baker.

Yelpers led me to La Moderna today and the reviews were spot on! I went in to place an order for a Rosca (Kings Day bread) and came home with half a dozen tamales, pumpkin empanadas, guava pastries and some cuernitos. It was all bomb! Customer service deserves 2 stars. The guy taking orders today spent a great deal of time on the phone trying to figure out who was going to babysit his daughter which slowed down the ordering quite a bit. Still, my family and I loved the tamales and pan dulce- just found our new spot! read more

Place is overrated, the chicharones are all fat and gross and the hard bolillo will break a tooth or two.

Tamales de queso were not tastful. Not authentic. Bread with guava was stale. Really bad experience with cashier, she was very unfriendly. read more

The most rude staff, unclean surroundings, ill trained customer service ive seen in some time. The quality use to superceed the treatment you got here, but it seems the recepis have not been passed down. only the uneducated rotten treatment their staff gives their loyal cluentele. I will never go back to this dirty, low ball bakery ever again. I suggest the health dept pay them a visit. They use to be good. They lack the mother being their the way it was back in the day. Very uncaring, rude, tacky distasteful staff front, to back. Awful ecperience. Stop patronizing this horrible establishment and go to vargas, im ashamed to say these people are mexican! They are a disgrace! read more

Good Tamales however I preordered tamales for Christmas and was told they weren't ready when I came to pick up, came back and was told only part of my order was read and I could come back in an hour to pick up the rest however when I went back they only had 8 tamales and they had an attitude like oh well take it or leave it. What's the point in preordering if they don't fill your order. Very disappointed I never experienced this type of treatment here. read more

This review is based off my visit here on Saturday and of the beef, chicken & vegetables, pork (green) and sweet tamales. Along with the soft bolios and the champurrado. First I'd like to say congrats on making the champurrado the way it's supposed to be made, it tastes fantastic! The best I've had in years! Secondly the tamales even though they're not as big as I would have expected them to be for what I paid for but I do have to say there wasn't a complaint about one dry tamale out of the dozen in a half I had ordered for my family and I absolutely loved the sweet tamales ( mind you I hate sweet tamales ). I can't wait to try the menudo here which they only serve on Sat. & Sun. But show up early from what I hear they run out pretty fast! I loved the fast and friendly service I received and I couldn't help but ogle at the large array of sweet breads they had ( I must try one next time ), I do love the fact that they take debit/credits and the store opens very early. I WILL BE TELLING OTHERS ABOUT THIS PLACE AND IM POSITIVE IM COMING BACK AGAIN THIS WEEKEND! read more

Love this place!! Easy parking. Great prices. My step mom used to come here as a girl and has been taking me since I was little. This place is amazing. I always compare other pan dulce to this place and it never compares. NOBODY has a crescent pan dulce as good as this place, NOBODYYYYY!!!!!! Dramatic because I'm honest. So good. Probably gain 5 lbs everytime I come here. read more

I love this place. Local family owned bakery. Been coming here for about 15 years. The Mexican sweet bread is very good and always fresh. They make tamales everyday n carnitas n chicharrones. They also make menudo on the weekend which people line up to get n it runs out every time. Prices are reasonable and the staff is friendly. read more

They have the best tamales in town, I tried there carnitas they had just came out of the kitchen with them they were the bomb!!!! There salsa delicious.... read more

So you wake up and find yourself craving some pan dulce (bread), tamales and menudo. Where should you go? La Moderna Bakery! They have all of the above and not just to satisfy your cravings but to make you want to eat more! Their pan dulces are amazing! Perfectly baked everyday so you know they are always fresh. They have an amazing variety to choose from like empanadas, muffins (different types), powdered panes, and so many more! (yeah I don't really know the names of each but you get the idea) There menudo is so savory and fresh! Can really taste the flavor and taste of pure Mexican Menudo! and for all you who just love those Christmas tamales, guess what! No more waiting till Christmas because they have them all year and guaranteed fresh! They have some selections to choose from like pork, beef, chicken, corn etc. Each of them is worth a little over the dollar and they do sell by the dozen. So, I would suggest coming super early (with your pajamas on) because it gets super and I mean super busy/packed! The line to pay is practically all the way from inside of the store to the outside! Bring your own pot so they can fill it up with some delicious menudo and you have a great morning meal coming towards you! :) read more

been getting my pan here since I was a kid. now my own kids love it too. My wife loves the tamales. I like em too, of course not as good as my moms. but they are good. not gonna lie. the setup and decor has not changed a bit in like 20+ years. i like it. I just discovered how good the beans were. haven't had them until like a few days ago. they taste just like my grandma used to make them, back when all of us grand kids used to pick all the rocks out of the beans before she cooked them. i wonder if kids these days still have to do that. hmmm. read more