Best of 2003: Best Customized Piñatas

Casa de la Piñata
4204 University Avenue, City Heights
619-281-7858

Star-shaped piñatas with a picture of a person in the middle are the most popular, but Patty can hand-build the piñata of your dreams. Give her a week's notice and she can do a custom boat, guitar, or five-foot skateboard. "The most fun one I've done recently was a motorcycle that I had to do from some photographs. The guy wanted it to be really precise." Basic piñatas cost $13.99. Larger, custom piñatas run $25 to $35 or more. A 5 1/2-pound bag of mixed Mexican candy sells for $9.99.