Paleteria Treats

So, I have a few paleterias around my hood. Used to absolutely LOVE Flamingo's in Berwyn, but it closed. Oddly, after it closed, two sprung up within a few blocks of my house. I've seen some very cool lookin creations in the paleterias, but never tried any. I usually get a few scoops of flavors and then the fam get a scoop or two, and we all share.
(My new "go to" is the Mexican snack cake flavor which they all seem to carry: "Gansito.")
BUT, back to the "cool lookin' creations -

I tried a, "Diablo" once, so I knew that some of the cool lookin creations had the very real chance of having shocking flavors. The Diablos are not for me. Actually, strike that. The Diablo might be for me. If I try one again, I have to ask for no salt. The one I tried had a very heavy dose of salt, and I coudn't take it. A Diablo is essentially a scoop of Mexican style Italian Ice, topped with lime juice, salt, and chile powder. The one I had was very salty. VERY salty. The lime juice and chile powder was just fine, but the salt - way too much for me.

Like I said, when we go, we usually check out all the flavors, pick a few, and share. Few weeks ago, we took a walk down to one, and the line was pretty long. While waiting, I actually took a few minutes to study the list of treats. One of the cool lookin creations I've seen people get is the "Mangollada." Never knew what is waas called, but if you've gone to a few of these places, I'm gonna guess you've seen 'em once or twice. Clear plastic cup, yellow and red layers, fruit on top - decent sized "sundae" lookin thing?

Do a google image search, I'm too lazy to throw a stolen image in here.

I figured, "what the hell?" And I ordered a small one.
After seeing a picture of what it was, next to the name, "mangollada," I took a safe assumption that the yellow layers were probably some kind of mango ice cream or ice. I could see the grainy stuff on top, and assumed it was chile powder -no problem. In my American mind, whenever I've seen one, I just assumed that the layers and topping of red stuff was some type of raspberry or strawberry goo. (Queue the laughing of those who already know what this thing is...) Took the big ol honkin cup of what I thought was pretty cool out the door, and started walking home.

First spoonfull...WHAT IN THE SHIT????

Ok, so, I was wrong. Not unpleasant, but shocking. Salty, sour, and spicy hot. I thought I had made a drastic mistake, but, the yellow stuff WAS indeed mango ice, and it was cool and creamy and just plain out delicious. That red stuff tho...Still wasn't sure. A few ore bites in, I got over the shocking sourness and saltiness, and I friggin LOVED it. LOVED IT!! Webbed it up later, and I gather it is "chamoy" which is some pickled apricot syrup. Didn't seem to have any sweetness to it to make it "apricotty" at all, but I guess that's what it's made out of. Anyway, if you are adventurous, try one if it sounds like something that would float yer boat next time you're in a paleteria. If you've seen them, but never had one, but also thought they looked pretty cool - that ain't no strawberry stuff - be warned.

Anyone know what the other cool concoctions are that these places put together? One name I've seen is a, "Raspado." I can web that up, and see what it is, but what about the other treats us gringos might not be aware of that would be a cool creation to try?

What are your favorite places? My son lives on Scoville near Cermak and I think there is one right near there but we never know what to order.

Toria -
I know the one you are talking about - pretty sure anyway. Cermak, south side of street, if memory serves correctly, it is a few blocks E of Ridgeland, but, as I just webbed up a map, it looks like there's one a few blocks W of Ridgeland as well. I've been to the one E of Ridgeland. Anyway, I do not have a favorite since Flamingo's (on Cermak, just e of Oak Park Avenue) closed. Most of them seem to have the same stuff over and over. Flamingo's, however, had a "coco cremoso" flavor which was creamy coconut -with no flakes. Easily my favorite out of all that I have tried. (The "no flakes" put it over the top for me, hate the flakes, love the flavor.) Flamingo'd also did the ever elusive Alfalfa Aguas Fresca. Most of them have the Aguas Frescas, but I can't seem to find Alfalfa at the ones I've checked since Flamingo's closed.

Another one on my Berwyn "must try" list.....Please keep the suggestions coming....