Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, a new Los Feliz ice cream shop is turning out churros with an extra sweet twist. Churro Borough is sandwiching ice cream between cinnamon and sugar coated fried dough to create a crunchy & creamy taste sensation kids (and parents) can’t resist. Get there early, because it feels like all of LA is in line for sammies, paletas and something called churro fries.
The Scoop
Let’s start with the inside of the sandwich. Churro Borough scoops up 12 different flavors of hand made, small batch ice cream.
Six classic flavors including vanilla custard that purists will love and a spicy Mexican hot chocolate for more adventurous eaters. Others include Spanish Latte, Horchata Sorbet, and Orange Dreamsicle. Be sure to check out their seasonal ice cream menu as well. Right now they’re scooping a Chocolate Malt, Brown Cookie Butter Sorbet, and Coconut Kaffir Lime Sorbet that are worth come back for again, and again and again.
Can’t decide? Tasting is encouraged. We watched one patron ask to taste all 12 and the server didn’t even blink. Perfect for kids who aren’t sure what they want; one taste of that perfect flavor and they’ll know.
Then your ice cream selection is sandwiched between two freshly fried churro discs, which were tossed in a house spiced sugar. Mmmmm.
More Than Just a Sandwich
Not into ice cream sandwiches? Get it as a scoop (or two) with your choice of chocolate, caramel or guava syrups. Top it with churro bits, almonds, or whipped cream. Or an ice cream shake, topped with whipped cream.
On the lighter side, the paletas (popsicles) are all gluten free and fresh as can be ranging from tart and tangy (guava lime) to sweet and refreshing (watermelon lemon grass).
Coffee selections rotate from local LA roasters. One week it might be Intelligentsia the next Stumptown, Groundworks or Handsome Coffee.
And we can’t say enough about the churro fries – the thinner, crispier, shorter, version takes a humble kiddie snack to the next level. They’re great for portion control, so your kids aren’t totally bouncing off the walls by the time you get home. They’re also great for sharing (or stealing) and dipping in one of the house made dipping sauces (choose from chocolate, toffee or guava).
Grab a Seat…If You Can
There’s counter seating inside the small storefront and tables outside, but it all fills up fast. So grab a seat while someone else waits in line and orders.
Heads up: the place is new and popular, which is LA speak means long lines. Try going for a midday treat to avoid waiting at least ten people deep for your churro fix or (gasp) risking that they sell out of sandwiches.
Nearby: Got your treat? Now explore the street with your kids. Skylight Books has one of the best curated kid’s sections in town, and is one of our favorite bookstores for adults and kids (and cards…Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are around the corner). And if you’re in the market for stylish pint-sized clothes, you won’t find a cooler selection than that at La La Ling.
Good to know: Check Churro Borough’s twitter updates before heading over. They’ve been known to run out of product well before closing. But not to worry, they restock every night so your churro dreams can be fulfilled bright and early the next day. They’re open Tues.-Fri. from 3 p.m.-10 p.m. and Sat. & Sun. from noon-10p.m.
You may find street parking if you’re lucky, but there’s a $5 pay lot right around the corner, worth it so you don’t have to make a trek with tots in tow. Or lose your place in line.
Churro Borough
1726 N. Vermont Ave.
Los Feliz
323-662-0341
Online: churroborough.com
Where (besides Disneyland!) do you go for a churro fix? We’d love to hear your favorite fried dough maker and flavor.
—photos and story by Christina Fiedler
