On a recent road trip, my friend Denise and I made Rosa Brothers Milk Company a must-spot on the…read moredirt tour. I like milk and its by-products, especially ice cream so this place seemed like a natural place to visit. And, even though it was small, and even though it is not in anyone's map of California places to see before one dies, this place was a tourist attraction that I will remember till the day I can no longer enjoy milk and the mustache it leaves behind.
When we arrived to the spot there was a sole attendant, his name was Anthony and he was endearing to the max. I explained to him an abridge story of our road trip and why we made it a spot to visit. He was like really, like he could not believe that this was an intentional stop on a multi hour road trip. I was like, in my mind, this is not a Thrifty ice cream run bro, this is like a milk experience, of course it is a spot on a road trip. What I did say was like--- you are wearing a uniform, (like one of those that (I Love) Lucy waited for in the 1950's), and there was a window into a factory with workers producing milk, and you have souvenirs, thus the joint is a stop to engage with, a stop to plan for, a stop that naturally fits in someone's road trip's tour. After I said a version of all of this, his smile and eyes became wide, like he really was understanding that his presence and this joint was not just a local milk joint but could be a pit stop that can go white with fame.
My intention was to get a milkshake but Anthony explained that they did not sell any. I mean I accepted it quickly, but with some lament as a milkshake is my favorite ice-cream by-product, but I made due with what I could. First, I got a chocolate milk in a bottle. Anthony was kind enough to open it for me. I used to be a big fan of chocolate milk, cause it was a staple in the school's free lunch program and I always found it refreshing and sweet and cooling. Which makes me want to define the difference between refreshing and cooling in terms of taste. I guess refreshing makes one go ahhh like after taking a sip of cold cola, and something cooling makes someone feel the crisp of cold within the body, like eating a chilled lemon paleta/popsicle. And on this day, I drank a bottle of milk and found it to be a nostalgic snack down to the last sip.
It is important to note that Denise noticed that they had flavors like Orange Blossom milk, and banana ice cream flavors. So this places dares enough to think outside the box or should I say milk carton?
Anthony was also lovely enough to bring out samples of their packaged ice cream. I will be honest I cannot remember all the flavors I tried but I think there was cookie and cream. And the ice cream tasted rich, deep, and fresh, like it been churned recently for pure enjoyment. Like it was meant to be good first, then sold next. And thus at its core it was artisan, not mass produced. I guess that is why they explain their products to be "farm direct."
Since I could not get a shake or a cone, I decided to get one of their ice cream sandwiches. I went with what I tasted and knew to be good---- the cookies and cream. This decision was also based on the cookies they used. I reviewed the picture but the cookie was not listed. I ate the sandwich outside in the car, and every bite was a morsel of smooth crunch and velvety ice cream. It was familiar and new, it was reason enough to want to visit the place again. In fact I tried too, on the way back from the road trip but it was closed on that day. Too bad, I have put it on my return spots, I found it to be that wonderful, but again milk, ice cream, and all that it stems from it, I am a fan of, so it makes sense for me. But until then, I got the sweatshirt I got from this place to remember it!
