At least, that’s what I used to hear people chant in the summertime. It may not be ice cream weather right now, but ice cream always tastes good. And Muleshoe has a new ice cream parlor that can answer that scream with myriad flavors and dishes of ice cream.
Casa De Nieve-house of ice cream-opened May 18 of last year. Bernaliz Okamura and her husband saw a need for ice cream flavors and treats remembered from their childhood. So they got to work to make that happen.
Bernaliz and her family moved here from Albuquerque eight years ago before deciding in 2024 to bring homemade ice cream here. Her husband, still thinking about all those flavors he enjoyed as a child, came up with his own recipes, experimenting with traditional Mexican ice cream dishes. And after getting the taste just right, he also wanted to share them with the community.
The building that had recently been the saddle repair shop at 1116 West American Boulevard was chosen for the new shop. It was made open and airy for ice cream treats and fruit drinks. They created the floor plan, painted the walls, and had Kathy Embry add whimsical touches like ice cream cones and sprinkles to really set the mood. A drive-through window for take-out orders was added as well.
Bernaliz said her husband makes a couple of batches of ice cream a day for their many flavors and treats. She also has many toppings and garnishes to add to the thirteen flavors of ice cream they make fresh, which have lots of cream in the recipes. Ice pops are treats on a stick with pieces of fresh fruit in them. Some are water based, and others are ice cream based.
The store also offers the traditional Mexican fruit drink, agua de frutas being the most popular. Some of the agua fresas have cream, others are water and fruit based. Another best seller is fresas con crema, a cup of fresh strawberries, cream, granola, coconut flakes, and whipped cream with a cherry on top.
Yuleima Rodriguez and Marissa Gonzalez were on hand the day I visited, making treats for customers. They made me a really nice strawberry milkshake that I scarfed right down before thinking to take a picture of it!
Recently, Sonoran hot dogs, crepes, and mini-pancakes have been added to the menus. I asked what made it a Sonoran hot dog, and Bernaliz said the wiener is wrapped in bacon, sautéed onions are added, along with mustard, ketchup, a house sauce similar to a chipotle sauce, all on a sweet Mexican bun, along with a whole roasted jalapeño pepper on the side. Well, nothing would do but that I try one. So I did. Very different and tasty, but I will have to admit that I had to wash that hot jalapeño down with the aguas de frutas I was also enjoying!
Other hot dishes and many ice cream and fruit-based treats and drinks are also available at the shop. So, even if you aren’t screaming for ice cream right now, I’ll bet you can find something to fill your tummy and make you smile at Casa De Nieve.
Thanks to Bernaliz and her husband for their help with this story.
Recent Comments