Everyone’s a Friend of Dorothy’s.

Have Your Concha and Eat It Too

Words Deven Wilson | Photos Baptiste Despois

A rainbow of queer pride flags bring a sense of vibrancy to the “up and coming” neighborhood of Hornsby Bend. Step into this coffee shop, and bright yellow, pink, and orange hues provide a backdrop for a buzz of activity. Families and friends laughing over coffee and a meal alongside strangers are brought into a welcoming atmosphere for all created by Val Galvan and Alex Lopez.

“Our mission is building communities,” Alex explains as conchas bake in the oven behind the counter. Val interjects, “We don’t want anyone to ever feel alone.”

Coming from the Rio Grande Valley, Val and Alex are the sole souls running the show on a day-to-day basis. Alex brings a background as a pastry chef and a keen business sense, while Val adds the creativity and vibrancy that gives Dorothy’s life. Wanting to provide a safe space beyond Austin’s bar scene, this dynamic duo quickly played their well-versed card of family concha recipes.

While the traditional concha is typically either white, brown, or pink, Val and Alex wanted to do something outside the box with their conchas. With their queer community in mind, they landed on their now-viral rainbow conchas. Initially making dough for solid-colored conchas, Alex had the idea to blend them, creating the rainbow effect. These vibrant pastries draw the masses, but after one bite, they gain acclaim as some of the best conchas ever made. Growing up under the “machismo” mindset so many Latino queer people are under, Alex points out, “Seeing ourselves represented in a super traditional Mexican pastry is healing.” They continue, “We grew up when we didn’t have representation in our culture, let alone our food.”

Experiencing the brilliant impact their colorful conchas have made, the duo drew a snaking line out the door to deliver up the prettiest conchas in town. In fact, it’s not only Far East Austinites clearing out their stock but visitors who’ve seen their conchas on TikTok.

Thanks to a friend who stepped up to serve as their defacto social media manager, Dorothy’s online presence garnered an international following from even Mexican families who demand their relatives bring back box loads. Both Val and Alex have witnessed their popularity cause neighbors and their growing queer community to break sweet bread together, living up to the heart of the operation for Val and Alex. As Val perfectly puts it, “That’s why it’s called Dorothy’s. Everyone’s a friend of Dorothy’s.”