The Paleta Bar / 3410 Del Lago Boulevard #103 Escondido, CA 92029

This is another of our joint posts! Enjoy! Please include both writers when leaving a comment. Thank you! First portion written by Maggie.

My favorite definition of ‘Paleta’ by far: An ice lolly made from fresh fruit. 

These are no ordinary Paleta’s. All by themselves they are extremely fresh and full of flavor. Dipped in your choice of toppings including chocolate, nuts, sprinkles and various crunchy goodies it sends them over the top. Did you know you can take home half dozen or heck a whole dozen? Yes you can! 

 

I’ll have to say it was hard on my sweet tooth to only eat one and not go back for seconds. They have elevated an ordinary dessert to an extremely superb and delicious frozen ice lolly. May the Paleta live long and prosper here. I’m looking forward to trying more flavors! And taking possibly half a dozen home!

Oh and they have fresh mixtures of delicious juices otherwise known as, aquas frescas. The watermelon just popped with flavor and just the right amount of sweetness. I’m looking forward to trying the blueberry limeade next visit.

So far I’ve had the banana and coffee flavor and tasted a few others. If your undecided it’s okay to ask for a small sample. My toppings included; milk chocolate, dipped in almonds on one side and pecans on the other. Second visit included; milk chocolate, dipped in almonds of course and peanuts on the other side.

 

The owner is super nice and was gracious enough to let us take a quick peek in the back. I was impressed with the machinery and fresh ingredients used for each batch. Thank you Paleta Bar and our wonderful Community Managers for hosting a Yelp Elite week!

 

Second portion written by Soo.

When I was a kid I was always listening for that tune the ice cream truck played.  Once you heard the sound you would only have a minute or two before the truck moved on to the next block.  If you were lucky a kid would stop the truck for a treat to give you extra time.  The truck had delicious treats you couldn’t get at the grocery store.  My favorite was the rocket Popsicle that had 3 flavors.  It’s been years since I’ve seen an ice cream truck.  I was excited when the email popped up about a Yelp event at Paleta Bar.  It seems a Paleta is a Mexican ice pop.

 

The Paleta Bar is located in south Escondido near the exit for the Wild Animal Park.  Lots of parking on a Sunday afternoon.  Inside was a fancy set of display cases.  You start by choosing which Paleta you want.  Then you choose which chocolate to dip in.  Lastly you choose your topping.  I was not that adventurous so I went with the vanilla dipped in milk chocolate with a light drizzle of white chocolate topped with sprinkles.

My Paleta was frozen hard at -5F just the way I like my frozen treats.  Vanilla flavor blended nicely with the milk chocolate and the hint of white chocolate and sugar sprinkles.

This is one of those awesome moments when the final result is so much greater than the individual parts.  The experience was a bit like the chocolate dipped bars they sell at the county fair.  Owner Valerie was extremely helpful answering all my questions and guiding me through the process.

2nd visit.  Creamy and cold on my tongue.  I taste fresh strawberry, milk and white chocolate.  Delicious flavors remind me of Valentines Day chocolate covered strawberries.

 

Chocolate covered strawberry paleta is the next best thing.

Mango paleta was more like a traditional popsicle and was cold and icy.  There was that satisfying crunch in my mouth as I took a bite.  Tasted just like a fresh mango.

Last I tried the blueberry lime aqua Fresca.  Sweet with a strong blueberry flavor and a light lime flavor giving it a sour component.  Great tasting drink.

Valerie is one of the nicest business owners I have met.  She answered all the questions I had and showed me how paletas and aqua frescas are made.

I got to watch as she was making strawberry paletas.  Fresh strawberries are sliced and placed in the metal mold.

Milk, cream, and strawberries are mixed up and poured in the mold.

Mold is then placed in the pop machine for freezing.  When the pops are frozen the metal mold is moved to the right side of the pop machine where they are heated for separation.

 

After separation the pops are placed on trays and put in the freezer till needed.

 

 

Valerie also showed me how to make watermelon aqua fresca.

Watermelon is sliced up then pulverized with the mixer.  Sugar and water is added.  The mixture is strained and ready to be served.

It’s amazing how a few ingredients combine to make the delicious paletas and agua frescas at The Paleta Bar.  Thanks to Valerie, Yelp, and Community Manager Danny for the awesome experience!

 

The Paleta Bar
3410 Del Lago Blvd #103
Escondido, CA 92029
(760) 975-3469