Pop Pops Paleta

While Ironside does oysters and Buon Appetito ladles marinara, this shop tackles the neighborhood's dessert gap with a different blueprint entirely. These aren't Italian gelato cones or tiramisu slices—they're Mexican paletas, the kind of frozen bars that balance actual fruit with indulgent chaos. Think pistachio paletas dunked in dark chocolate and rolled in mazapan crumbs, or tres leches cheesecake on a stick. The Dubai chocolate and peanut butter options confirm this isn't just a summer fruit stand.

The counter staff lean helpful, not hands-off—reviewers mention attendants steering indecisive customers toward standouts like guava or Mexican chocolate, which pays off when you're staring at a case of 20+ options. Flavors rotate, so the selection you see on Instagram might not match what's available mid-week. Nothing here demands you linger; it's grab-and-go fuel for the passeggiata down to Waterfront Park or a post-dinner reset after heavy pasta.

Practical notes: this is takeout-focused infrastructure, not a sit-down parlor. No real seating, which works fine when you're already walking India Street anyway. Pricing sits moderate—expect to pay what you'd pay for craft ice cream, not corner-store novelties. Families cycle through constantly (the kid-friendly vibe is earned, not manufactured), and the aesthetic-forward presentation means these bars photograph well if that matters to your dinner companions.

Skip this if you want classic Italian dolci or need air-conditioning while you eat. Come here when the neighborhood's wine bars and trattorias have left you too full for another course but not quite ready to call it a night.