In the vibrant Lake Highlands neighborhood, the Alday family has turned their nostalgic cravings into a flourishing business known as Antojitos Alday. The family-run enterprise specializes in delightful sugary confections, showcasing a menu that includes treats like fresas con crema, tres leches, flan, and innovative creations such as chocolate-dipped pretzels and hot cocoa bombs.
The term ‘antojitos,’ meaning “little cravings,” refers to a wide range of handheld Mexican street snacks that are both savory and sweet. For Alday, who reminisces fondly about her childhood, these sweet moments stem from her visits to Monterrey, Mexico, with her father.
“My grandma would take us to places, and they would have all kinds of snacks,” she recalls, illustrating the strong connection between her memories and her current venture.
Originally hailing from southeast Dallas, Alday has raised her four children in the community and remains deeply rooted in the area, participating in local events like Light Up the Highlands and Oktoberfest Dallas.
The journey of Antojitos Alday started back in 2020, during the pandemic, as a partnership between Alday and her daughter. They initially operated under the name vLexxia’s Sweets, a tribute to her daughter Alexxia. The duo began selling hot cocoa bombs and chocolate-covered strawberries from their townhouse on Royal Lane. The response was overwhelming, especially during a curbside pickup event on Christmas Eve, where the line wrapped around the block.
“We would take turns going inside to fulfill orders, all while managing a crowd of eager customers,” Alday reminisces about the event that laid the foundation for their business.
As more neighbors became aware of their offerings, the business quickly grew. By 2024, after the passing of her father, Alday rebranded the business to Antojitos Alday to better represent her expanding menu, which also included refreshing aguas frescas and mini pancakes decorated with sprinkles.
Interestingly, the name Antojitos Alday has an unexpected double meaning. Alday explains, “In English, since people can’t say al-DAH-ee, they happily mispronounce it as ‘All day.’ Therefore, it translates to ‘sweet cravings all day.’”
Antojitos Alday has since diversified, providing catering services for various events, including weddings and quinceañeras. The family frequently sets up mini pancake bars and elote stands to cater to guests late into the evening.
The business is not just a source of income but a way to bond as a family. Alday finds joy in working alongside her children, with everyone playing an integral role. “We’re spending time together, labeling, packaging, and creating. It turns into a family gathering while working,” she shares.
In a bid to keep up with culinary trends, Alday has recently taken inspiration from the growing popularity of Dubai chocolate on social media. She has started creating a Dubai-inspired version of her famous strawberry cups, complete with melted chocolate drizzles and crispy kataifi.
One of her standout specialties, the Antojitos Alday impossible cake, combines flavors of vanilla, strawberry, or chocolate cake layered with caramel custard reminiscent of traditional flan. This innovative approach has become a favorite among couples seeking something unique for their wedding cakes.
“Many people don’t offer a custard layer in wedding cakes, but that’s one of our unique offerings that adds a special touch,” Alday points out.
Looking ahead, the Alday family plans to return to Oktoberfest Dallas and Vector Brewing later this year, further solidifying their local presence.
While Alday envisions future expansions for her business and her nine-person team, her primary focus remains on nourishing familial bonds through the shared experience of creating delicious treats.
“I’m making the product, while my daughter is packaging, and my sons lend a hand with labeling. It’s like our family time, bonding over sweet cravings that last all day,” she concludes, hinting at their ambitious future in the sweet treat business.
image source from：lakehighlands
