New snack bar and ice cream parlor La Michoacána De Dena recently opened in Pasadena on Lake Avenue just off of Washington Boulevard.
If you’re in Pasadena and haven’t had lunch yet, there are plenty of options along the main drag in Old Town for every budget and occasion. But if you want to find hidden gems off the beaten path, particularly frozen treats to beat fire season heat or a quick bite to tide you over before a 3-hour printmaking workshop at Remainders around the corner, you’ll want to check out La Michoacán.
The exterior resembles your typical neighborhood ice cream parlor. Upon walking in though, you’ll find far more than ice cream at La Michoacána De Dena. While their menu includes ice cream classics like banana splits and waffle cones, you’ll also find Abuelita (Mexican hot chocolate) and Ferrero Rocher. Crepes, paletas, raspados, acai bowls, and fruit cups abound, including show-stopping handcrafted mangoneadas (a type of mango slushie) redolent with spicy-sweet chamoy. You’ll also find a host of savory options like elote, nachos, and Hot Cheetos con queso.
However, what really sets La Michoacána De Dena apart from other neighborhood ice cream joints is the paletas made fresh on the premises. A paleta is a type of frozen treat that is made from fresh fruit, and a paleta de agua is water-based while paletas de leche are milk or cream based. Instagram-worthy Fruity Pebbles paletas are served up along with watermelon, chamoy, tamarind, and other classic flavors of Mexico.
Owner Fernando Camacho came up with the name La Michoacána De Dena to honor the traditions of Michoacán, a region in southwestern Mexico famous for its paleterías, ice cream shops that sell paletas made from fresh fruits, tamarind, and other local flavors. The “De Dena” half is a nod to Pasadena and the blending of authentic Mexican culture into Pasadena’s diverse and abundant culinary fabric.
“The inspiration for our menu comes from the traditional Mexican treats that I grew up enjoying,” Camacho stated in an interview with LA Digs. “I’ve always been passionate about the vibrant and diverse flavors found in Mexican ice creams and paletas, especially the fresh fruit-based ones like mango, tamarind, and lime with chamoy. Learning how to craft these from someone who came directly from Mexico helped preserve the authenticity of these recipes. [De Dena] represents the fusion of bringing authentic Mexican flavors to a new community, showing that these timeless treats can feel right at home here.”
The eatery has resonated with Pasadena’s Mexican community seeking michoacána style establishments. “La Michoacána De Dena represents more than just a business to me,” Camacho commented. “It’s a piece of my heritage and a way to bring a little bit of Mexico to Pasadena. I want our shop to be a welcoming place where families and friends can gather, enjoy something sweet, and create lasting memories.”
La Michoacána De Dena is located at 1373 N Lake Ave in Pasadena, CA in the shopping center north of Washington Boulevard. They are open daily from 11AM-9PM and you can check out their latest flavors on their Instagram page.
