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Fall may officially begin in September, but the heat in the Valley will remain at least through October, and if you are looking for a refreshing escape from the high temperatures, raspados, mangoneadas and other Mexican frozen delights are an excellent option.
South and west Phoenix is the epicenter of a variety of ice cream parlors and specialty snack shops that offer a wide menu of options to cool off — paletas (popsicles), nieve (ice cream), raspados (snow cones) and aguas frescas, to name a few.
Here are eight excellent options in south and west Phoenix.
Oasis Raspados
Oasis Raspados offers, as its name suggests, an oasis of Mexican snacks.
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The variety of snacks available promises to please palates that love both salty and sweet treats. Among their most popular choices are raspados (with 14 flavors to choose from), fruti-nieve (creamy ice cream accompanied by the fruit of your choice in the same cup), traditional chamoyadas, fresas con crema, banana split and churro locos.
Details: Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Two locations: 6629 S Central Ave, Phoenix, 602-305-6806, and 6702 W. Camelback Rd Suite 101, Glendale, 623-873-0602. https://www.oasisraspadosaz.com/menu
Raspados Danny
The Raspados Danny menu is not limited to frozen treats, you can find options from fruit cups, tostitos and street corn, to hot dogs and tacos. Among the variety of options, some of their biggest hits are the crazy apple (apple covered with tamarind pulp cut into pieces and prepared with cucumber, jicama, peanuts, soft tamarind candy, lemon, salsa and chamoy), banana splits and escamocha con nieve (fruit salad served with creamy ice cream).
Details: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. 5815 S. 16th St., Phoenix., 480-329-6394. https://www.instagram.com/RaspadosDanny/
La Carreta de Lily
One of the classic places in Phoenix to go to if you are looking for authentic Mexican snacks is without a doubt La Carreta de Lily, which has been pleasing palates in the Valley for decades. They offer traditional ice cream, nine flavors of raspados, strawberries, mango and banana with cream. But if you are looking for a more out-of-the-ordinary option, the menu does not disappoint.
The firemango (mango smoothie with chamoy, tajín and tamarind candy), the obispo (natural raspado with ice cream), the mitotero (strawberries with cream, granola, nuts, lechera and ice cream) and the chemix (natural raspado, fruit, ice cream and lechera) are just some of the choices that will make your day.
Details: La Carreta de Lily has multiple locations throughout Phoenix. Check hours here https://lacarretadelilyaz.com/
Raspados y Antojitos La Zebra
At Raspados y Antojitos La Zebra you will find a perfect balance between sweet and salty. Some of the specialties of the place are the orange float and root beer float, the smoothie kiss mango (mango smoothie with chamoy and tajín), their milkshakes, ice creams and fried snacks, including tostilocos and street corn.
Details: Hours vary, 3750 W., McDowell Rd. #6, Phoenix, 480-352-8829. https://www.facebook.com/Lazebraicecreamandmore
Raspados Imperial
On the Raspados Imperial menu we can find options from snacks based on chopped fruit (crazy apples, strawberries with cream, escamocha, crazy pineapple, pico de gallo and more) and shaved ice with more than ten flavors that you can give a “twist” by ordering a mangoneada, diablito, obispo and other options that have extra toppings such as chopped fruit, chamoy, peanuts or tamarind candy.
They also offer a variety of ceviche-based snacks, like the tosticeviche, tostadas, imperial aguachiles, and a number of street corn delicacies.
Details: Monday to Thursday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 1 p.m.
Realeza Michoacana
A full menu that offers flautas, enchiladas, quesadillas and rotisserie chicken, accompanies a number of traditional Mexican snacks and deserts at La Realeza Michoacana. The restaurant offers a variety of smoothies, raspados and diablitos, fresh fruit co*cktails, ice cream, popsicles made with natural fruit and milkshakes.
Details: Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Two locations: 5045 W. Thomas Rd. UNIT 102, Phoenix, 480-702-5117, and 2533 N. 16th. St., Phoenix, 602-271-4527.
Raspados El Zalate
Raspados El Zalate features an extensive menu of raspados, ice cream, tostitos, coconuts and street corn, authentic Mexican sodas, aguas fresca and more. Additionally, Raspados El Zalate also offers a special menu for kids with smaller, more affordable portions.
Details: Sunday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., 5887 W. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 623-312-3817. https://www.facebook.com/RaspadosElZalatePhoenix
Fresco’s Raspados Water & Ice
Among the specialties on Fresco’s Raspados Water & Ice's menu, we can find a variety of raspados made from natural fruit to which ice cream can be added as a topping for a creamier texture. Fried snacks such as tostilocos, takis locos and churros locos are an excellent option for those who enjoy spicy flavors.
But if sweet treats are your jam, the traditional banana split, sundae or escamocha (fruit co*cktail with granola, nuts, coconut, lechera and whipped cream) could be your best choice.
Details: Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., 1810 W. Southern Ave. #101, Phoenix, 602-304-9217.
Have story tips on Latino culture and communities in the Valley? Reach La Voz reporter Paula Soria atpsoriaaguilar@gannett.com.
