After weeks of chilly days, the hot, sticky, miserable-without-an-air-conditioner NYC summer has arrived. Luckily, we’ve got the intel on the good frozen treat spots. Here are six NYC gems where you can get paletas, chamoyadas, and other delicious frozen treats.
1
Tulcingo Deli Grocery
This nondescript Bushwick deli is stocked with tons of paleta flavors you rarely see in NYC, like tart but sweet nance fruit, creamy mamey, super sweet grosella, and even rompope – a flavor reminiscent of egg nog. At $1.75 a pop, you can try all of them and still have money leftover for a Metrocard (does anyone else ride the subway sometimes just for the AC?).
Tulcingo Deli Grocery
115 Wyckoff Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11237
2
El Palacio de los Cholados
For those who want more from their shaved ice, cholados are the answer. These Colombian treats are usually flavored by more than one syrup and a ton of fruit. Among its numerous offerings, El Palacio de los Cholados are fresas con banano y crema, ensalada de fruta, and fresas con crema.
El Palacio de los Cholados
83-18 Northern Blvd
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
3
Sley Deli and Grocery
Paletas are a family thing at this Borough Park bodega. Its owner, Simon Leyba, used to work in his family’s Puebla paletería, and he brought his traditional techniques to BK, where his family now makes paletas in-house and supplies them to more than 100 other establishments. Stuffed in a freezer in the back of Sley you can find more than 30 flavors of paletas, including horchata, mango con chile, and coconut. The paletas are $1.25 a pop. Or you can go really in on Sley and buy a box of 24 for $24.
Sley Deli & Grocery4217 Fort Hamilton PkwyBrooklyn, NY 11219
4
La Newyorkina
We’ve been fans of La Newyorkina‘s unconventional paleta flavors (like avocado, queso fresco y fresas, and nieve de jalapeño!) for several years now. But while you may be familiar with Fany Gerson’s carts — or even her stand at Smorgasburg — you may not know that she opened a new shop last year. The menu includes 30 to 40 different kinds of paletas, but further dominates the frozen treat space with chamoyadas and sorbets.
5
Nieves Tia Mimi
Nieves Tia Mimi has been around for more than 20 years now. Offering mangoneadas, chamoyadas, golosas, and Mexican ices (mango, pitaya, piña, and more), Nieves offers a little bit for everyone. This year, though, fans of the shop are in for a treat. Nieves plans to debut more than 25 new flavors this summer.
Nieves Tia Mimi
4711 5th Ave.
Brooklyn, New York
8914 Roosevelt Ave.
Flushing, New York
6
Miscelanea
Miscelanea is the go-to for Mexican products. In addition to offering locally made Mexican cheeses, cold cuts, and house-made tortas, it offers La Newyorkina paletas. So if you find yourself in the Lower East Side with a sudden paleta craving, this is the place to go.
Miscelanea
63 East 4th St.
New York, NY, 10003