This place doesn't just have the best Mexican ice cream in Aurora, it also happens to be cleaner…read moreand sports better, friendlier service too. Like most Mexican ice cream shops, they offer an assortment of savory snacks, and fruity treats, but this is going to be all about the ice cream. The first thing to note is that there is two kinds of ice cream (nieve), ice cream you scoop (helado) and ice cream bars (paletas); both come in two types, those made with cream (de leche) and those made without (de agua). The cream based type--being closer to a gelato--is richer and denser than American ice cream, the flavors are fresher and more intense, and in particular the fruit flavors tend to be sweet/fruity as opposed to sugary; the 'water' type is basically a sorbet, and I think people would be surprised by how smooth and creamy the texture can be, though it shouldn't be surprising that an ice-no-cream is incredibly refreshing. Both kinds and types of nieve exist at all Mexican ice cream shops, but they do almost everything here better, and I particularly like that the cream based kind is richer and denser here even in comparison to the other Mexican brands, and is one of the reasons I think of it as 'better'. The paletas, which--again--come in two types are great as long as you stick to the cream-based type, but I wouldn't recommend the water-based type--they're essentially a frozen block of fresh fruit--not good; for paletas de agua I would suggest the 'neveria' inside of Super Mercado El Guero, on Farnsworth, where they have the greatest strawberry paleta in the history of ice cream.
Located about a half-mile or so from where Broadway/Rt. 25 merges with Aurora Ave, I literally have to pass three ice cream shops--two Mexican and one American--to get here, a trip I made at least a dozen times last summer when I first discovered this place. Thankfully we've had an ice-cream-runner recently so I've been able to enjoy this amazing ice cream without the hassle of making the trip!....but it can get expensive if you start to tally up how much you actually spend. When I go I tend to get two to four 'medium' ice creams, which is three scoops, and runs a little more than $6 (each) for what I think ends up being a little more than a pint, and I do believe that it is worth every last delicious penny. If you compare flavors amongst the different Mexican ice cream shops, you're going to find that the ones here will win almost every time, if not every time. Of course everyone has their own flavor preferences, but here's a few things that I would like to mention:
Helado de Fresa con Crema (Strawberries and Cream Ice Cream), swirled strawberry sorbet and rich ice cream--only place I've ever seen it.
Helado de Pina y Coco (Pineapple and Coconut), a pretty common flavor--and one of my favorites--the flavor is just so much better here, and its got what seems like double the amount of pineapple and shredded coconut. However, if you don't like masticating coconut like a cow chews cud, then steer away and head for the plain pineapple.
Helado de Pinon (Pine Nut Ice Cream), a pretty uncommon flavor--or at least it was, I hear it isn't anymore--cream-based, interesting and surprisingly aromatic, a little of this goes a long way for me, and I usually get a small (which is two scoops), half pinon and half vanilla, chocolate, or cheese/queso (tryt it!!).
Helado de Fresa de Agua (Strawberry Sorbet), tart and sweet, it just tastes so damn good. Light and refreshing, it's perfect to have under the heat of the midday sun.
Helado de Chocolate (come on), if you know anything about or like Mexican chocolate then it's simply a must-try.
AND FINALLY, ONE OF THE TOP TEN REASONS I HAVE TO LIVE:
Helado/Paleta de Chongo Zamorano (ehhh....) Cream-based, when I first tried it I didn't know what it was and when my mom told me I still wasn't entirely sure, but I was in love after the first bite. Listen, I know it's not going to sound very appetizing, and probably something you would have an aversion to trying, but it's absolutely the one thing I recommend above all else that a person should try. It's caramelized and spiced milk curds.
Anyway there you go. I really feel that anyone who loves ice cream and trying new things, or who loves Mexican ice cream and isn't near any 'Michoacana' franchise, and lives within thirty minutes or so of this place should make it a point to try this place. A few things to note: there is ample space, tables, and chairs within the building, ideal for enjoying your ice cream ASAP, like most Mexican ice shops the busy hour starts an hour to two hours before sunset, and though I still wouldn't say it's run terribly efficiently, it is run more efficiently than it's competition--but this is only important if you come at a busy time. If you do come at a busier time, the line 'begins' at the counter near the entrance farther from the road--where a tiny sign tells you so.
TRY IT!
