Ice Cream News

New dessert shop brings authentic gelato to Dallas' Snider Plaza

Gelato La Boca

A sweet new dessert shop has debuted in Dallas' buzzy Snider Plaza: Called Gelato La Boca, it's an indie shop that does an Argentine twist on gelato, and is now open at 3406 Rosedale Ave.

Gelato La Boca was first launched as a wholesale brand, selling their gelato to restaurants and retailers such as Tango Room and Foxtrot Market, as well as a gelato cart for events, which sets up at Klyde Warren Park every Saturday.

They'll continue that side of the business, but are now making their gelato available by the cup and cone, along with coffee, tea, and drinks, plus a grab-and-go shelf with gelato to take home.

Gelato La Boca was founded by Martín Pereyra de Olazabal, a native of Argentina who moved to Dallas more than 20 years ago to attend SMU; and Owen Carlson, a native of Highland Park.

Gelato is a very big deal in Argentina — a little creamier than Italian style with exotic flavors.

La Boca's menu has 30 flavors available daily for delivery, but at the shop, they're limiting the official selection to 12 rotating flavors — although there will always be a longer unofficial selection in the back, says spokesperson Sofi Sugasti.

“We don’t want to overwhelm customers, but we want to make sure that they can always experience something new," Sugasti says.

Highlights include:

Dulce de Leche La Boca: Dulce de leche ice cream swirled with dulce de leche syrup or with chocolate chip
Chocolate La Boca: Ecuadorean chocolate with dulce de leche and chocolate flakes
Sambayón: Similar to Italian Zabaione, made with eggs, sugar, and wine
Strawberry Rose gelato, infused with rose petals
Fruitera sorbet, with orange, peach, and strawberry

Their flavors were developed by chef Manu Torterola, who grew up in Argentina in a family of gelato makers. He created them with authenticity in mind. But they're also accommodating customer requests with flavors that are near and dear to American tastes, such as cookes & cream or mint chocolate chip.

Some of the flavors in their current lineup include white chocolate, pistachio, cold brew, passion fruit, banana split, and lemon mousse, whose tangy lemon flavor is greatly enhanced by the gelato's vanilla creaminess.

Other menu options include affogato featuring gelato splashed with espresso; and gelato with a side of melted chocolate — you dip the gelato into the chocolate, and it forms a crisp, crackly shell.

The location they're in was previously home to Ben's Cookies, the London-based cookie concept which closed in early 2024. The space now featuers some indoor seating for on-site noshing, and they're planning to add more seating outside (there is currently ongoing construction expected to be complete in the fall).

"You don’t need a large space for a gelato shop," Owen says. "We just wanted to be in area that was walkable and had families. We are ready to offer the neighborhood the best scoop of gelato they have ever had."

ice-cream desserts openings

Deep Ellum News

Mexican 'vibe' restaurant from California to open in Deep Ellum Dallas

Mama Por Dios

A buzzy concept from California is coming to Dallas: Mama Por Dios, a Mexican restaurant chain known for its vibe, will open its first location in Texas in Deep Ellum in the Epic development at 2525 Elm St., taking over the former La Neta space, which shuttered in May.

According to a spokesperson, the restaurant will open in early to mid-January.

Mama Por Dios was founded in Southern California in 2020 by chef Misael Guerrero, who famously got his start selling Mexican sushi out of his garage.

Since those early days, he's gone on to form a restaurant empire called Emme Group, with concepts that include Los Amores de Julia, El Rincon de Los Dolidos, and Culichi Town, a lower-priced chain known for Sinaloa-style Mexican sushi & seafood, which has a local presence: It opened a location in Mesquite in 2022.

Mama Por Dios — which translates to "Mother of God" — describes itself as modern Mexican, offering a unique blend of steakhouse, sushi bar, and seafood. The menu includes favorites like tacos and enchiladas, alongside luxe dishes like lobster with spaghetti, lobster enchiladas, and a surf & turf featuring a lobster tail balanced atop a skirt steak. Prices range from $18 for birria tacos to $48 for a bacon-wrapped filet mignon with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

But they also have a showy side that includes flamboyant presentations such as the bacon-wrapped shrimp which come strung on clothespins; or the trompito al pastor, served on a personal spit, as well as servers who walk around with shots while dancing with patrons.

There's a Gold Burger for $65 featuring Prime beef on a brioche bun garnished with 24k gold leaf, and a similarly gilded tomahawk steak for $400 that brings to mind the good old days of Salt Bae. Decor is swanky with low lighting, and there'll be a serious brunch offering on weekends.

Cocktails such as the Al Agua Pato — served in a mini bathtub with a rubber ducky — are made for Instagram. They offer margarita and mezcalita flights with flavors such as mango, tamarindo, and strawberry, and intriguing sips like Carajillo, a Spanish cocktail with Licor 43, espresso, and 43 different fruit, citrus, aromatic, and herbal ingredients.

There’s also a $20 per-person minimum spend, and the menu comes with a warning that everything is cooked to order — meaning some dishes may take 30 to 40 minutes. For many diners, waiting will surely be part of the experience.

deep-ellum tex-mex openings