You just have to love eating out in Jacksonville NC. The city is full of hidden gems, many offering a taste of international flair and flavor. Case in point: Paleteria Deya. This great find is an authentic Mexican Ice cream shop, serving delicious tastes of sweet and savory to please every palate.
As many of you might know, several years ago, I partnered with the Visit Jacksonville NC team to write about the vast array of international restaurants in this small coastal Carolina town.
I first happened into Paleteria Deya when I was in Jacksonville doing research for that project. Over the course of my first three-day visit, I ate at 27 different area restaurants. WOW! Read the story of those early culinary adventures in Jacksonville here. And then, take a look and read the follow up post here.
I talk and write a lot about my food-centric travel. Well, this project continues to be, a fine example of all I love to do.
Each time I visit Jacksonville NC, I search out, eat and write about a number of restaurants. each one featuring a different authentic international cuisine in Jacksonville, NC. My appetite to taste it all was driven by a mission to create a unique dining guide for the area. And so Jacksonville NC International Food Trail was born.
So Many Reasons to Eat in Jacksonville NC
Currently on the Jacksonville, North Carolina International Food Trail , you’ll find twenty-six different spots to enjoy the authentic cuisine of countries around the world. Every time I go back to visit, I have fun discovering new places in Jacksonville NC. Some featuring international cuisine and some not; but all of them delicious hidden gems. I’ll be writing more soon, stay tuned.
What makes these spots “Hidden gems”? It’s not just the food and the atpmosphere – its the people who own and run these wonderful Coastal NC restaurants.
To introduce you to the people behind the food, this post kicks off a series. A more in-depth view of five of my favorite places in Jacksonville NC. All of them are delicious reasons to make plans to to travel and visit Jacksonville NC, sometime soon! Let’s start with the family-owned, Paleteria Deya.
Meet the Happy Couple Behind Paleteria Deya
Alejandria and Antonio Medina came to Jacksonville NC about 5 years ago. Their dream was to open an ice cream shop or Paleteria near the beach. But this is not your same old – same old American ice cream shop. This is an authentic Mexican Paleteria and the difference is well worth your time to make a stop (or two) part of your visit to Jacksonville NC.
Paleteria Deya is open year round – save for the month of December. On any visit, customers have a choice of some 45 different flavors of crafted popsicles or paletes. In addition there are a dozen different flavors of all natural, sweet and spicy homemade ice creams and sherbets. Antonio makes all the popsicles and ice creams using authentic Mexican recipes. All of them are created from fresh fruits, veggies and other ingredients. He is always working on new seasonal flavors to add to the list of offerings.
Antonio’s brother also owns two locations of Paleteria Deya. One in Greenville NC and the other, just outside of Greenville, in Farmville NC.
To keep things fresh, Antonio makes popsicles 2-3 times a week. On his “off days” he is making ice cream!
Authentic Mexican Palates and Homemade Ice Cream, too
At Paleteria Deya there is something in the popsicle case to suit every palate. From Oreos and cream to watermelon, there are also a handful of authentic Mexican flavors that you really much try. Do try the Horchata popsicles, made with homemade rice milk. And, the rice milk ice cream made from a Mexican rice pudding recipe for arroz con leche. And, don’t miss the coconut palete, made with fresh cracked coconuts that Antonio grates by hand.
Another delicious traditional flavors on the menu: Mango-Chamoy, made with fresh mango, homemade Chamoy ( a spicy tamarind-based sauce) and Tahin, a popular spice blend made with dried chilies, salt and dehydrated lime.
Alongside the Mango-Chamoy you’ll find the very authentic Tahin and lime popsicles studded with a slice of cucumber; and a choice of the natural and spicy tamarindo flavors.
And then, plan to dive into this delicious mango smoothie called Mangonada. The popular sweet/sour/spicy/salty Mangonada, is a frozen mango smoothie traditionally seasoned with chamoy and tamarind paste. Yes, please.
Start with Dessert; but Stay for Savory Treats
At first it was PD’s homemade popsicles or Mexican paletes that pulled me in. Then, I was a sucker for the Mangonada – you will be, too! But, now, it’s the savory snacks that keep me coming back for more!
I talked to Alejandria not too long ago who told me about Paleteria’s most popular sweet and savory snack offerings and showed me how to make two of her favorites.
Listen in to see how these savory snacks are made. Watch to get my reaction as well as my #TellThemHeidiSentYou seal of approval!
In the video, I tasted the amazing Jarritos frozen sherbet treat and the very satisfying, Tostilocos savory snack.
Believe me you are going to want to hop in the car and head to Paleteria Deya to try for yourself as soon as you watch.
On Paleteria Deya’s Savory Side
Run, don’t walk, to dive into to Paleteria’s sweet and savory Jarritos. Not to be confused with the Mexican soda of a similar name, this dessert comes in the take-home souvenir clay cup called a jarrito de barro. This creamy snack starts with mango and tamarind sherbet, spiced with chamoy hot sauce, Tajin and chunks of mango and tamarind candy. I’m crazy about tamarind ( you will be too) and I loved it all!!
Or, if you are hungry for something a bit spicier, try the Tostilocos. This is a layered snack of pickled pork rinds called cuerito, jicama, Japanese peanuts, tamarind candies,chamoy hot sauce and Tajin, oh my! And, what made this one even better for me, was the fact that is prepared and served right in the bag of tortilla chips the Medina’s bring in from Mexico. Deliciosa!
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the esquites here. It is a Mexican favorite and Paleteria Deya does it well. In fact, it’s one of their most poplar offerings. If you like corn and mayo, you are going to love it!
Made of boiled corn, cut from the cob and served in a cup layered with mayo, crumbled Mexican queso, lime juice and chili powder, its crowd favorite among the shop’s local cliental.
Want to See and Hear more about my Visit to Paleteria Deya?
Check out the first episode in my new I’ll Have What Heidi’s Having in Jacksonville NC Video Series, here. #TellThemHeidiSentYou
Good work, Heidi Louise.