La Monarcha
In what used to be a panderia across from Compare Food off Roxboro Rd. there is now a paleteria called La Monarcha. A colorful window advertises paletas, ice cream, aguas frescas, frozen bananas and more.
Inside we were greeted by freezer after freezer of frozen treats. From a quick count and estimate, La Monarcha has over 30 flavors of popsicles and 25 flavors of ice cream – maybe more. You pick out your own popsicles and they are $2 a piece. The cases were full with every color in the rainbow. Flavors aren’t labeled, but many were easy to figure out based on the color, fruit or nut in them. We chose a strawberry, dulce de leche and pistachio. (I did overhear another customer asking for pineapple chile in spanish.)
The strawberry was fresh and full of fruit, the dulce de leche was rich and indulgent and the pistachio was creamy, a bit salty and contained probably half of cup of the nut.
Note: We swapped out the walnut on the left for a strawberry.
On a Sunday afternoon, there was a young family behind the cases. None of them spoke English very well, but with the self-serve popsicle cases it wasn’t really a problem. La Monarca’s card says they’re open every day, but doesn’t list hours. It would be a great stop after a taco at Los Comales or La Superior and I look forward to trying the some of the less easily distinguishable flavors and the ice cream.
2000 Avondale Dr., Suite P
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 491-1161
Carpe Durham does not issue ratings, but registered users can agree or disagree with our opinion. If there is significant user disagreement, we highly recommend that you review all of this post's comments, because, sometimes, we just don't know what we are talking about.
No members have expressed a view on this post.
I generally agree.I generally disagree.
Ooh, sounds great!
[Reply]
Do they make them themselves or are they resellers? If the latter I’d rather get them from the small freezer case at Los Comales because they are only a $1 there, or go over to LocoPops.
[Reply]
I was wondering the same thing, seeing as how the Paleta guy that rolls through my neighborhood usually has the resells, as well as the taquerias…but I’m tempted to say they make them in house (or nearby-in-house), based on the pic. the resell ones are generally in sealed plastic wrappings, and usually have print or designs on the wrap
[Reply]
I think they make them themselves, but someone with better Spanish than myself will have to verify. They aren’t sealed, mass produced, branded popsicles. They come in the same open bags as those as Locopops and were just as good. Locopops is still a must for interesting flavor combos and innovative ideas, but for more variety on a daily basis La Monarcha is worth a stop. The pops were really tasty.
[Reply]
Also of note – the ice cream looked homemade too as it was in large metal containers, not cardboard or paper boxes.
[Reply]
I was there on a Saturday afternoon a few days after they opened.
There was a teenage girl working behind the counter who spoke fluent English.
According to what she told me, they do make the popsicles and ice cream themselves.
I don’t think the popsicles are all $2 each; I think the price varies based on the type, but they could have changed that.
I do wish that some of these new businesses would label what they are selling and post their prices.
[Reply]
I forgot to say this before, thanks for the find.
[Reply]
HEY GUYS, I WORK AT THE MONARCA MICHOACANA ICE CREAM. THE NAME OF LA MONARCA MICHOACANA COMES FROM MICHOCAN MEXICO BECAUSE IS WHERE THE BUTTERFLYS MONARCA MIGRATE DURING WINTER FROM CANADA TO MICHOCAN, MEXICO. WE HAVE ALMOST 36 DIFFERENT FLAVORS IN ICE CREAM AND 32 FLAVORS IN POPSICLES. EVERYTHING IS HOMEMADE WITH NATURAL FRUIT. SO COME VISIT AND TASTE OUR GRAND VARITY OF FLAVORS !!!!!:)THANK YOU
[Reply]
This place is my favorite. I live right near it in the Colonial Village neighborhood and am in love with the Mango Chili, Tamarind, and Blackberry…
Not sure about prices though cause it seems sometimes they charge $1.50 and a couple times $2.00…I know for a fact they charged my wife $2.00 one time…
[Reply]
I think the pricing you are referring to is called “the gringo tax”. I’ve experienced it myself at many taquerias where the prices aren’t specifically mentioned on the menu board.
[Reply]
LMAO
[Reply]
necessary, TSQ75?
I just went to La Monarca today and thought it was great.
The non-cream popsicles are $1.50, the cream ones are $2. Everything is made in house.
They’re going to put up pricing and labels but the company they ordered them from hasn’t sent them yet.
They don’t have a website yet but apparently there’s a facebook page. I couldn’t find it though.
We’ll be going back. I hope their business is a success.
[Reply]
I agree, I hope there business is a success as well!
[Reply]
We went there today with 6 children and two adults. We had a great experience! We got a variety of flavors and everyone was very happy! The lady that was behind the counter didn’t speak fluent English, but she did answer our questions and was very helpful. I definitely recommend it!
[Reply]
These popsicles are SOOOO good and very reasonably priced. Everything is homemade. I hope they do well and become a Durham fixture! I plan to take the whole family–often.
[Reply]
What’s great about this place is that they have savory popcicles too. For example, the the chili mnago popcicle is not sweet at all. Great for those of us watching our carbs.
[Reply]
I stopped by this afternoon and had a pistachio. It was delicious! I’ll definitely be going back.
Thanks for pointing this one out. I probably would have never found it on my own.
[Reply]
I had a fresa/leche mini paleta, which was about the size of my index+middle fingers put together and cost $0.50. delicious! will come back for more.
they seem to be open pretty late, from about 9-10am to 9-10pm.
[Reply]
Leave your response!
Durham Deals
Recent Comments
Help Wanted!
Become a fan on Facebook!
Twitter: carpedurham
Archives
Food Blogs
Other Durham Blogs
Categories
You need to log in to express your opinion
Carpe Durham requires users to be logged in to express their opinion on this post.
Alternatively, if you do not have an account yet you can create one here.
Powered by Vote It Up