#89: Paletas at La Vallesana 2

Ian Froeb

A strawberry popsicle from La Vallesana 2

​La Vallesana 2 stands in stark contrast to its namesake, the brightly colored taqueria at the intersection of Cherokee Street and California Avenue. The second La Vallesana occupies an unadorned storefront on the other side of Cherokee, a spot you might easily pass as you seek the next tasty morsel on this, the city's best culinary stretch. Stop walking and go inside.

There you will find homemade ice cream and paletas, the traditional Mexican popsicle. My choice today is strawberry, the fruit that early spring warmth always makes me crave. It's the ideal refreshment for such a sunny afternoon, cold and sweet, but with an undercurrent of tartness thanks to the presence of real fruit. Strawberry is only one of several flavors available, La Vallesana 2's display case full of oranges and greens and reds as vivid and inviting as its sibling restaurant's exterior.

La Vallesana 2
2818 Cherokee Street
$2.50-$3

I'm counting down -- in no particular order -- 100 of my favorite dishes in St. Louis. Some are well-known, others obscure. Some are expensive, others dirt cheap. All of them, I guarantee, are delicious. Please do not hesitate to share your own favorites via the comments thread.

Previously:

#90: Spaghetti and meatballs at Sugo's Spaghetteria
#91: The Michael burger at Michael's Bar & Grill
#92: Fried egg and ham toastie at the Schlafly Tap Room
#93: Bavarian chips with Welsh rarebit at Dressel's
#94: Onion soup at Brasserie by Niche
#95: Baby-back ribs at 17th Street Bar & Grill
#96: Kingshighway burger at the Royale
#97: Gyro sandwich at South Grand Gyro Express
#98: Carne asada tacos at El Paisano (Watson Road)
#99: Pretzel bites at Joey B's on the Hill
#100: Hot and sour soup at Shu Feng Restaurant