Summer means paletas along Chicago's lakefront

CHICAGO (WLS) -- This weekend, a lot of people will be out at the beach, near a pool or by the lake. That means you'll probably hear the familiar bell ringing of the paleta guy.

Typically stuffed into portable, dry ice-packed carts, these Mexican treats are all over Chicago this time of year.

You see them all over the lakefront in the summertime, a mainstay at parks and pools. Of course, you can hear them coming.

They're the paleta vendors, and dozens of them load up every morning at a tiny Albany Park store called Reina De Sabores, which translates as "The Queen of flavors." The same family has been in the paleta business for 15 years, and they know a short summer means all hands on deck.

"It's a Mexican treat," said Josue Siu, the owner of Reina De Sabores. "It's a popsicle, but when it comes down to a paleta, we have our own flavor, we have natural flavor."

Fresh fruit is chopped throughout the day, from watermelon to mango. They're combined with sugar, stirred up in a large bucket with water (or milk, depending on the flavor), then transferred to steel molds. The molds are frozen, then their colorful contents are ejected into containers and quickly packaged by hand. Siu says one of the keys is using all natural ingredients.

"We try to be as authentic as possible, so we try to get the fruit itself," Siu said.

There are nearly two dozen flavors to choose from, about half with a water base - like watermelon, pineapple or Jamaica - essentially a hibiscus flavor - or the milky-based ones, like coconut, rompope (kind of a Mexican Kahlua) or one of my favorites, mamey.

"A more adventurous flavor would be mamey," Siu said. "It's a very hard to explain fruit; the flavor itself is very unique."

So when you hear this sound coming at you this summer, get excited, because that means paletas are on their way. But try something a little bit more exotic. Not just chocolate or vanilla; how about some Jamaica or mamey. You've got to take advantage of the season while you can.

You can also just visit the store anytime to pick up some paletas.

Reina De Sabores

3015 W Lawrence Ave.

773-744-2474