A little golden custard tart from one New Jersey bakery can be shipped to your door, wherever you live. Yep, a pastry with a recipe style older than the United States now travels by mail.
The ovens here start early, too. The doors open at 5 AM on most days, which is earlier than my alarm and probably yours.
What gets me is the love story behind it all. The founders met inside a bakery in a small Portuguese town, then carried those recipes across an ocean.
There’s more than tarts in those display cases. Think almond horseshoes, angel wings, babkas, custom cakes, and a deli counter making sandwiches on fresh bread.
I’d say that’s a lot of temptation for one stop, and I’m only getting started.
A Bakery Romance That Started In Murtosa, Portugal
Love and flour make a pretty sweet combination. Pinho’s Bakery in Roselle traces its roots to Murtosa, a small town in Portugal.
Founders Ernestina and Antonio met inside a bakery there and fell in love. Their story shaped the values the family still talks about today: love, family, old-world baking, and pride.
Those words aren’t just a nice slogan on a wall. They explain why the recipes matter so much to the people running the place now.
The next generation carries the torch in New Jersey. Raul, Julie, Linda, and Annie are part of the Pinho family team keeping things going.
That kind of family chain is rare in a world full of chain stores. It means the same traditions get passed hand to hand, not copied from a corporate binder.
I can see why the backstory gets so much attention. A bakery born from a romance in another bakery feels almost too perfect to be real.
Yet that’s the true origin here. When you bite into a tart at this shop, you’re tasting a family history that began across the Atlantic decades ago.
Not bad for a little pastry, right? It carries a lot of heart in a very small shell.
From Newark’s Ironbound To A Roselle Street Corner
Before Roselle, there was Newark. The Pinho family sharpened their baking skills in the Ironbound section, a neighborhood famous for its strong Portuguese community.
That’s a tough crowd to bake for. When your neighbors grew up on the real thing, every custard tart gets judged by people who know exactly how it should taste.
On May 11, 1991, the family opened their own shop. They brought their recipes and work ethic to Roselle, and the bakery has been a local fixture for over three decades.
Today the full name you’ll often see is Pinho’s Bakery and Deli. It sits at 1027 Chestnut St, Roselle, NJ 07203, right in a busy Union County town.
Thirty-plus years is a serious run for any small business. In the food world, that kind of staying power usually means people keep coming back.
The location makes it an easy stop for many New Jersey drivers. Fair warning, though, parking can get a little tricky around lunchtime.
So plan a smart arrival time. An early morning visit might save you from circling the block while pastry boxes walk past your windshield.
Meet The Custard Cup With 250 Years Of Bragging Rights
Some pastries have a past. The Pastel de Nata, which the bakery calls its custard cup, follows a style that traces back more than 250 years to a monastery in Lisbon.
Here’s the fun part. Monks were among the early makers of these tarts, so your snack technically has a pretty holy pedigree.
At Pinho’s Bakery, the custard cup is the clear star. It’s a small golden tart with a flaky shell and a creamy custard center, and it’s easily the shop’s most talked-about treat.
Don’t stop at the classic, either. The bakery also makes almond, coconut, and orange versions, so you can turn one order into a little taste test.
My advice? Grab a mix and compare them side by side.
It’s a delicious way to find your favorite without committing to just one flavor.
Custard cups also make easy gifts. A box of them feels thoughtful, travels well across town, and rarely makes it home untouched.
Honestly, that last part is the real challenge. Good luck keeping the lid closed on the car ride.
Yes, You Can Get These Tarts Shipped Across The Country
Live far from New Jersey? Good news, because distance isn’t really an excuse anymore.
Pinho’s Bakery offers online ordering and nationwide shipping. That means a craving for Portuguese custard cups can be solved from almost anywhere in the country.
Even better, the custard cups come frozen too. You can bake them at home, so they come out warm from your own oven.
That’s a clever move for anyone who loves fresh pastry. Warm custard and crisp crust are the dream, and baking them yourself gets you close to that bakery moment.
Frozen tarts are also handy for planning ahead. Keep a batch on hand for surprise guests, holiday mornings, or a random Tuesday that needs a little help.
Shipping also makes these a sweet gift idea. Former locals who moved away might love a taste of home showing up at their door.
Just a quick tip before ordering. Check the shipping details on the bakery’s site so the timing works with your plans.
Then clear some freezer space. Trust me, the ice cube trays can scoot over for this.
Early Birds Get First Dibs Here
Five in the morning. That’s when the doors open on most days, long before many coffee shops even flip their lights on.
From Tuesday through Saturday, the bakery runs from 5 AM to 6 PM. Sunday hours are shorter, ending at 3 PM, so plan accordingly.
Mondays are the day off. Show up then and you’ll only find a quiet storefront and a lesson learned.
The early start pays off for anyone chasing popular items. Some treats sell out, and the earliest visitors get the widest choice.
Morning is also prime time for the deli side. The grill gets going early, turning out breakfast sandwiches and warm platters for folks heading to work.
Pair one with a coffee and something sweet from the case. A slice of coffee cake or a classic horseshoe pastry makes a solid sidekick.
Honestly, it’s the kind of routine that could ruin regular cereal for you. Once you’ve had breakfast built around fresh bakery bread, the cereal box starts looking pretty sad.
Set the alarm a little earlier. Your stomach will thank you.
The Deli Counter Deserves Its Own Fan Club
Plenty of folks stop in for pastries and leave with lunch too. That’s because Pinho’s Bakery and Deli runs a full deli right alongside the sweets.
The counter carries a complete line of Boar’s Head meats. Those get stacked on breads baked in-house, which is a pretty big upgrade from grocery store rolls.
Lunch options cover a lot of ground. You’ll find made-to-order subs, salads, and homemade entrées for heartier appetites.
Soups are made daily, too. A bowl next to a sandwich makes an easy, filling midday meal, especially on a chilly New Jersey afternoon.
Thursday brings a special worth marking on the calendar. Homemade meatloaf shows up that day, adding a cozy, home-cooked touch to the lineup.
Getting around is simple once you know the layout. Pastries sit on one side, and the breakfast and deli counter sits on the other.
A smart plan? Grab your sandwich first, then hit the bakery side for dessert.
Doing it backwards risks filling up on cookies before lunch even arrives.
Good Luck Choosing From Those Packed Display Cases
Dozens of breads. Hundreds of desserts.
That’s the kind of math that makes decision-making very hard.
The pastry lineup at Pinho’s Bakery covers both Portuguese favorites and classic bakery treats. Almond horseshoes, angel wings made from crispy cinnamon sugar puff pastry, apple crumb slices, and babkas all share space.
Then come the familiar heavy hitters. Cannolis, eclairs, Napoleons, and fruit tarts fill out the cases.
Bread lovers get plenty of attention too. The shelves hold loaves and rolls of many kinds, including multigrain with raisins and the bakery’s coconut bread.
Donut fans, take note. The sourdough donut and the rainbow pretzel donut, topped with icing and colorful sprinkles, are popular picks, and the rainbow pretzel ones go fast.
Here’s a handy tip for the pastry side. Grab a ticket before you get in line, so you don’t wait in the wrong spot.
Having a short list helps. Pick two must-haves and one wild card, then let yourself try something new each visit.
That way, every trip becomes a small adventure. And the case still won’t run out of surprises.
Every Cake Gets Treated Like A Party Invitation
“Never forget that a cake is a celebration of life, thus work on it as if you are personally invited to the party.” That sign hangs above the cake workbench, and I’d say it sets the tone perfectly.
The bakers make birthday, special occasion, and wedding cakes daily. The focus stays on cakes that look great and taste fresh.
Display cases show off layer cakes, mousse cakes, and cheesecakes. A Portuguese sponge cake sits alongside richer choices like chocolate mousse cake.
Tres leches cake is another popular pick. It’s a smart choice if you like something moist and creamy.
Planning a bigger event? Trays of miniature pastries can be pre-ordered, which saves you from cutting a giant cake into tiny squares.
A practical tip goes a long way here. Order custom cakes ahead of time and confirm the details, especially for busy weekends.
Bring a photo if you have a design in mind. Clear instructions make it easier to get the look you want.
Then sit back and let the cake steal the spotlight. Your party guests will notice.
Grab A Seat Under The Glass Roof Or Out In The Fresh Air
Sunlight pours through a glass roof in the dining area. That alone makes it a lovely spot to linger over a coffee and a custard cup.
Pinho’s Bakery offers both indoor and outdoor seating. So you’re not stuck eating pastries over your steering wheel, which is a real win.
The space feels made for slowing down. Families, friends, and solo snackers can all find a place to enjoy what they picked out.
Weekends bring a lively energy. Many people stop by after church, making Sunday mornings feel like a neighborhood gathering.
The bakery also gives back locally. Donations to community events have become part of its reputation in Roselle.
That community spirit matches the family story behind it. After more than three decades, this New Jersey bakery still feels rooted in its neighborhood.
One practical note before you go. Cash is preferred, and card payments may come with a fee.
So tuck a few bills in your pocket. Then find a sunny seat, unbox those tarts, and take your time.
You earned it after choosing from all those display cases.
