Balboa!

Most people from Southern California have heard what a Balboa Bar is and if you have not, it is one of the tastiest treats for a hot or cold day. This delectable dessert or snack is a rectangle bar of ice cream dipped in chocolate and covered in a variety of topping choices. Honestly I believe that ice cream can and should be eaten year round and tastes better in the winter months. This may be due to the fact that it melts at a slower pace so there is less wasted. There is also the twin treat, the Balboa Banana - again a frozen banana dipped in chocolate and covered in your choice of available toppings.

Many stores such as Trader Joe's have come up with similar products in the frozen food isle to cure one's sweet tooth, but it just doesn't do it justice. There are two stores or snack shacks located on Balboa island near Newport Beach. There is Dad's Original Frozen Banana and The Original Frozen Banana, which has been around since 1945. My aunt who grew up in Huntington Beach grew up eating frozen bananas and swears by The Original Frozen Banana so I now do the same. (Although I have tried Dad's as well). Dad's is a little bit more than a snack shack - it is a doughnut, ice cream, and shaved ice shop. It is also well-known for its signature Hippo Cookies. Maybe next trip I will sample those.





Before we indulged in dessert, we picked up a taco from Picante Martin's. I ordered the carnitas soft taco, which came with two corn tortillas, a soft carnitas meat, guacamole, cheese, lettuce, and salsa. My mom, sister, and aunt all ordered the crispy chicken taco, which apparently is "to-die for." Another item to add to the to-do list.

Once finished, my sister, Meghan, bought a shaved ice from Dad's. We were surprised at how large the shaved ice was! Usually stores charge high prices for small sizes of food, but Meghan got a generous helping for a relatively inexpensive price. (*Both stores are cash only but there is an ATM located inside Dad's)


Next up, The Original Frozen Banana. Toppings for the frozen treats include rainbow or chocolate sprinkles, oreos, almonds, Heath Crunch bar pieces, peanuts, or "everything." My mom and I both ordered the ice cream bars with "everything toppings" and my aunt got the usual - a frozen banana with chocolate sprinkles on one side and almonds on the other.


If you aren't in the mood for a Balboa Bar or banana, don't fear, there is also frozen yogurt in cups or cones and if you are feeling a little adventurous, try the frozen cheesecake or Tiramisu.


I also tried the frozen banana a few weeks ago - again with everything on it and l0ved it as well. Of course one can always attempt this at home by peeling a banana, putting a popsicle stick inside, wrapping it in plastic wrap and placing it in the freezer, but this can be tricky. Often, freezing bananas too long makes it impossible to eat. So for now, I will hold out for my favorite treat on the beach.