Last summer was the summer of paletas: Mexican popsicles in a bevy of flavors that ranged from cactus to avocado.
This summer? This summer has been the summer of raspados; Mexican snow cones found with help of a reader tip.
Raspados are evidently nothing new. They’ve been a staple at Raspados Y Nieves La Laguna for a while now. It’s a snackery that operates out of the back half of a laundromat. Walk in past the clean smell of detergent and whirling machines, way in the back is a little cafe with tables and chairs and a counter stacked full of treats.
It’ll take a minute to catch your bearings. It’s best to grab a laminated menu, as it displays the array of options (shakes, smoothies, nachos topped with pork rinds and the raspados) along with a helpful description of each item.
Three things make the raspados remarkable. First and foremost is the love that goes into them. Served in a fancy clear plastic cup, they’re offered with a colorful straw, artfully angled cocktail umbrella, and occasionally, a cherry on top. Second, the raspados are huge. It’ll take you a while to get to the bottom of one. Finally, the raspados flavor selection goes well beyond the “blue” or “red” that’s offered at the neighborhood fun fest.
Case in point: the Pecan Raspados. Built on a classic foundation of coarsely crushed ice granules, it boasts a natural pecan flavor with little flecks of the nuts distributed throughout the shakes. Sweetened condensed milk gives it a defined sugary dairy accent: lighter than ice cream, just as cool and soothing.
There are other flavors, plenty of fruity ones with pineapple or coconut. But you sort of expect fruit flavors from a snow cone experience. The plain old Vanilla Raspados is worth a nod. Its golden hue and bright vanilla flavor makes the perfect treat for a purist.
You can find the spot at 5455 Norton Center on the West side.
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