There was a time when the sound of the ice cream man’s bell produced immediate Pavlovian salivation for bomb pops, toasted almond bars and push-ups. But as our city has developed new ethnic layers, those same bells now also announce the arrival of Mexican frozen treats made with coconut, watermelon, tamarind and rice milk. These are among the dozens of icy treat flavors purveyed by paleta vendors who, in the past 10 years, have become fixtures of several Chicago neighborhoods. And for many kids whose parents would rather pay paleta prices than steeper ice cream truck costs, they have become the summer standard. We love these ice cream/sorbet bars because their real fruit content makes us feel virtuous, but mostly because they offer a new taste sensation almost every time they come around. Although we are very partial to milk-based mango bars and the spicy water-based chile bars (said to be medicinal for your throat), our new fave is the cinnamon and vanilla-scented rice milk bars – ask for them by the name arroz con leche. You can find paleta vendors in the commercial areas of Pilsen, Little Village, Albany Park, Ravenswood and Logan Square as well as any other neighborhood with a Mexican population. Just listen for the bells.
Paletas (Pah-LAY-tahs)
Price: 60 cents to $1
Spanish names for popular flavors:
Fresca (strawberry)
Coco (coconut)
Limon (lime)
Scandia (watermelon)
Eskimo (vanilla with chocolate and coconut)
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