Paletas Views

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4. Paletas Y Nieves Limon: Located in a strip mall on an exceptionally busy street in the city of Bell, it's easy to pass by the small, family-owned Paletas Y Nieves Limon. But don't, because then you'd miss the homemade caramel paleta, a silky milk pop that, when you bite into it, brings back memories of Gusher snack packs, as one bite releases an eruption of dulce de leche. Paletas Y Nieves Limon: 6100 Atlantic Blvd. Ste D, Maywood; (323) 773-8806.

5. Paleteria La Mexicana: Family owned and operated for 28 years, Paleteria La Mexicana makes both brightly colored and traditional paletas, including the Chongo Zamoranos. Chongo, a traditional Michoacan dessert made of caramelized and spiced sweet ricotta curds, transforms an otherwise ordinary cream pop. Paleteria La Mexicana: 1864 Pacific Avenue Long Beach; (562) 591-4366.

This place is a little hard to find, but it is great!Here's the blurb from the Nashville Scene's Kay West.... But the best-kept dessert secret in Nashville is Las Paletas, a popsicle store. All it sells are popsicles: gourmet, Mexican popsicles made from fresh ingredients. Popsicles are no longer restricted to the conventional flavors found at the grocery store. Now they come in everything from cantaloupe and honeydew to hibiscus, olive and prune. They only cost $2, and flavors change daily. A word of advice: Las Paletas is in an unmarked storefront on the lower level of the Cypress Building on 12th Avenue South and Kirkwood. You may have to circle the block before you find it, but the popsicles are worth it.

I want to second this advice! Las Paletas is fantastic! And a little side advertisement - there's a new tea shop about a block away, Tea Time Nashville, owned and run by my wife. Loose tea and tea accessories. My daughter and I almost always run over to Las Paletas when we drop by the shop, and I've tried most of their varieties, and even the wierd sounding ones are great!