Bakeshop brings cronuts and conchas to old Rocco's Little Chicago building

Aug. 1, 2025, marked the end of an era in Tucson.

The glass cases in places like Hebrews Coffee and Stacks Book Club were empty. There was no sight of fluffy, cinnamon-sugar-dusted pastries, or giant cronuts topped with a drizzle of icing and crumbs of red velvet cake.

There wasn’t even a chocolate-dipped concha available to pair with an iced vanilla latte.

This infamous day in Tucson history is known as the day Cal’s Bakeshop went dark.

Caleb Orellana, a.k.a. THE Cal, announced on Instagram that his days of working from his home kitchen were over.

But while we were mourning the end of the cottage bakery, Orellana and his brother, Josue, were hard at work on their new venture — opening their first brick-and-mortar.

So, Oct. 11, 2025, started a new era in Tucson.

The glass cases of the Orellanas’ new shop are filled with delicious pastries, bringing some sweetness to a spot that once served deep-dish pizza and hot wings.

Cal’s Bakeshop has taken over the old Rocco’s Little Chicago building at 2707 E. Broadway.

Caleb Orellana started Cal’s Bakeshop in 2021 when he moved back to Tucson from California. His vegan pastries and brioche doughnuts quickly became a hit, with many fans driving all over town to find his treats at local coffee shops.

He was happy making his pastries in his home kitchen. But as the products quickly gained popularity, his business partner, Terry Kyte, approached him about taking things to the next level.

Kyte, who owns Bisbee Breakfast Club, told Orellana they were making a move to buy the old Rocco’s Little Chicago building, and planning to make something that paid homage to the spot’s roots as a Winchell’s Donut House in the ‘70s.

With unique confection creations like oreo conchas stuffed with a creamy ube filling, and cinnamon roll Kouign-amann lined with cinnamon and cocoa powder, Cal’s Bakeshop was the right fit for the historic space.

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Before they knew it, Orellana and his brother were transforming the pizza spot into the bakery of their dreams. Little by little, the building got the Cal’s Bakeshop makeover.

The green roof has been changed to a deep navy-blue color, and the red and tan exterior is a cool white. The brick and tile inside has been taken out and the space now has the feel of a retro diner.

Out front is a giant neon sign with Cal’s Bakeshop’s Big Boy-esque logo that catches your eye as you drive down Broadway. As an homage to Rocco’s, it also has the iconic marquee sign that features funny sayings.

They even found an old Winchell’s sign when they were demolishing the inside, and proudly hung it up as a reminder of the building’s origin.

With the building makeover in good hands, it was time for the next step: perfecting their lattes.

The brothers learned the do’s and don’ts of latte making at Hebrews Coffee in American Eat Co., and soon, they were pulling espresso shots like it was nothing. They put together a drink menu for the bakery with offerings like blueberry matcha, refreshers and energy drinks.

Since the brothers are Salvadoran, they created an horchata latte that uses Salvadoran horchata, which has a nuttier, creamier taste than typical horchata.

They also worked out a deal with the now-closed Tucson Coffee Cricket to serve its signature ube lattes.

You’ll also be able to grab all kinds of vegan pastries at their new shop. Fresas con crema conchas, pumpkin pie cronuts, and glazed brioche doughnuts practically call your name from the glass cases.

The best part: doughnuts are offered all the time.

One of their fluffy, chewy brioche donuts is covered in cinnamon sugar and filled with a decadent apple cinnamon cream. The softness of the doughnut mixed with the creamy filling tastes like a warm fall day.

From the “chubby” 18-ounce drink cups to the ginger-snap crumbles that cover the pumpkin pie cronut, everything about Cal’s Bakeshop is done with love. And it’s easy to feel at home with Uncle Husky (as Josue’s nickname) smiling behind the counter.

“I’m excited about the groups of people that I’m going to see here and the regulars that are going to come in,” Orellana said. “I feel like everyone craves community, so if I can bring people together, that’s really special to me.”

Cal’s Bakeshop, 2707 E. Broadway, is open Wednesdays through Fridays from 6: 30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.