If you’re a North Texas local, you know the summertime means hot, hot weather. If you’re new here, we hope you’re adjusting well. That’s why we’re bringing you a list of frozen treat spots to satisfy your cravings for something both sugary and cool. Some of these spots offer curbside pickup, limited indoor dining and outdoor seating. All of them have a variety of products and flavors from which to choose.
Encanto Pops
Founded four summers ago, Encanto Pops is a family-run paleteria. The shop offers water- and dairy-based paletas, in addition to items such as made-to-order churros and elotes, a mixture of white corn, queso fresco, mayo, lime juice and hot sauce, topped off with spicy chips. (Elotes are available only Fridays through Sundays). You can also purchase made-to-order aguas frescas here. Choose from a list of concoctions or make your own by picking a fruit base, syrup and water base. The shop’s newest agua fresca mix is Charcoal Limeade, which includes activated charcoal, ginger and lime. Paleta, or ice pop, flavors run the gamut from water-based pico de gallo and mango to cream-based coconut and Vietnamese coffee. Summer seasonal flavors include pomegranate sunrise, a pomegranate and orange combo, coconut lime, and prickly pear and passion fruit. Currently, customers are not allowed in the shop, but you can order at the door, online at encantopops.square.site, by texting or calling 469-805-7677 or by sending a direct message to Encanto Pops’ Instagram account: @encantopops
831 W. Davis St., Dallas. Open Tuesdays through Thursdays from noon to 5 p.m., Fridays through Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.
Gnome Cones
Gnomes aren’t just garden accessories or Christmas decor. At this local shop, they also give shape to a signature sweet treat. Founded in 2017, with its original location in Argyle, the shop has a variety of flavors to choose from for its gnome cones (snow cones), gnomesicles (ice pops) and ice cream. Gnomesicles and gnome cones come in 12 flavors, though certain flavors are exclusive to one treat or the other: peaches and cream as well as chocolate and butterscotch are among the options for gnomesicles, while the gnome cones are offered in iced coffee, apple pie and blood orange, to name a few options. At the second location, in Denton, made-from-scratch ice cream is available, too, in vanilla and chocolate. Also exclusive to the Denton location are alcohol-infused snow cones and ice pops, which typically come in four flavors. The indoor dining area in Denton is operating at half-capacity. The Argyle location is a walk-up snow cone stand.
205 N. Elm St. Denton, and 421 US-377 S., Argyle. Open Sundays through Thursdays from noon to 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m. in Denton. Open daily from noon to 9 p.m. in Argyle.
Cauldron Ice Cream
Based in California, Cauldron Ice Cream made its sweet debut in Dallas in March 2019. This shop is probably best known for its handcrafted rose-shaped ice cream, which is frozen using liquid nitrogen and served in what Cauldron calls a Puffle cone, a type of waffle cone that originated in Hong Kong. Typically, flavors are swapped out every four months. This summer, the store’s 14 flavors include milk and cereal, the signature Cauldron (a vanilla, cinnamon and Oreo mix), Earl Grey lavender and brown sugar milk tea. There’s also a flavor called Sun, Moon and Stars, which is a combo of three teas: oolong, jasmine and green. Vegan flavors include Chamango (mango) and Pineapple Express. Specialty drinks and coffee are also on the menu. Outdoor seating is available in addition to deliveries via UberEats, DoorDash and Postmates.
3001 Knox St., Dallas. Open Mondays through Thursdays from 2 to 10 p.m., Fridays from 2 to 11 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 11 p.m., Sundays from noon to 10 p.m.
Aqua S
Originally from Australia, Aqua S opened in Victory Park earlier this year. Beyond its oddball toppings such as toasted mushrooms and Pop Rocks, the sweet treat shop has put, quite literally, a new spin on ice cream. You can get your frozen dessert spun with “fairy floss,” aka cotton candy. Aqua S also specializes in “cloud milkshakes,” made with a signature sea salt flavor, and lemonades that come in rosemary, lychee, kiwi and strawberry. We’re told the sea salt offering tastes sweet and creamy, with just a hint of saltiness to it. The shop carries more than 100 recipe flavors that change twice a month.
2375 Victory Park Lane, Suite 140, Dallas. Open Sundays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Steel City Pops
With five locations in Dallas-Fort Worth, it’s safe to say there’s no shortage of Steel City Pops around town. The 10 signature flavors include chocolate, coffee, buttermilk and raspberry lime. Plus, you can have your ice pop dipped in chocolate and topped off with treats such as cookie crumbles, peanuts, cinnamon and more. This summer, Steel City also launched “pop floats,” a take on the traditional root beer float. Choose from flavors such as blueberry cheesecake, orange dream and the classic float. Toppings such as blueberries, graham crackers and oranges vary per pop float, but all are topped with whipped cream. Check out “Small Batch Saturday,” when each location offers a limited-quantity flavor.
Multiple locations.
Picolé Pops
With two Dallas locations — one in Oak Cliff and the other in Deep Ellum — family-run Picolé Pops specializes in gourmet ice pops, including alcohol-infused and sweet-filled ones. In total, there are 32 flavors, 12 of which rotate. This summer, delight in options such as dragon fruit lemonade, pineapple berry and blackberry Key lime. Flavors with alcohol include lime margarita, blackberry mojito and strawberry daiquiri. Picolé also does flavors such as vanilla bourbon, RumChata and whiskey chocolate (the last two of which will be available come fall). Smoothies were recently added to the menu, too: the Berrylicious, Mean Green, Summertime Glow, Man-Go Crazy, a protein smoothie and an energy boost. There is indoor seating at both locations, with capacity at 50%, and the Oak Cliff shop has outdoor seating also available. Online orders through picole.square.site are available in addition to curbside pickup. Deliveries can be made with a minimum order of $40.
415 W. Davis St. Dallas, and 2656 Main St. Dallas. Open at both locations Sundays through Thursdays from noon to 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m.
