Tejanita Mexican Ice Cream: From Ankeny to the Midwest with Authentic Paletas and More
In the heart of Iowa, a small company is churning out big flavors that bridge cultures. Tejanita Mexican Ice Cream, based in Ankeny, Iowa, has emerged as a vibrant creator of authentic Hispanic frozen treats – from creamy paletas (Mexican-style ice pops) to tangy mangonadas and traditional ice creams. These aren’t your average ice cream novelties; they represent a rich cultural heritage and an entrepreneurial dream realized. As a proud vendor partner of Polka Dot Dairy, Tejanita is bringing the tastes of Mexico and Texas to grocery stores and convenience stores across Minnesota and Wisconsin, infusing the Upper Midwest with a delicious dose of sabor Latino. In this in-depth look, we’ll explore Tejanita’s origin story, its innovative product line, the cultural philosophy behind its treats, and how this family-inspired business is making an impact on the community and the industry.
A Heritage Carved in Ice Cream: The Tejanita Origin Story
Every great food brand has a story to tell, and Tejanita’s tale is as sweet and satisfying as its desserts. The name “Tejanita” itself means “Little Texan” in Spanish – a nod to the roots that inspire the company. Founder Gabriel Monzón grew up immersed in the frozen treat traditions of his heritage. In fact, the recipes that Tejanita uses trace back to his grandmother’s kitchen, where generations of family members perfected the art of Mexican paletas and ice creams . This familial connection infuses Tejanita’s products with a sense of authenticity and nostalgia. Monzón and his family have been “in the ice pop business for more than 10 years,” turning a beloved family recipe into a growing business . What started as a home-grown passion – likely influenced by summers in Texas and Mexico, savoring fresh fruit ice pops – eventually evolved into a full-fledged company in Iowa.
Tejanita Ice Cream LLC was officially formed in the mid-2010s, planting new roots in Iowa while staying true to its Tex-Mex soul. Gabriel Monzón (who maintained a Houston phone number even after moving, a subtle reminder of his Texas ties) began by making paletas in small batches and sharing them with the local community. Early on, Tejanita’s presence was felt at local Hispanic grocery stores and weekend markets, where word of mouth about these authentic Mexican paletas started spreading. The Ankeny area, part of the Des Moines metro, proved to be fertile ground for this venture – a community ready to embrace new flavors and support a local Hispanic-owned business. By 2021, Tejanita had grown enough to open a flagship retail location called Mangos Gourmet Paletas (often simply referred to as “Mangos”) on SE Delaware Avenue in Ankeny. This cheerful shop became the physical embodiment of the brand, a place where customers could experience the full spectrum of Tejanita’s frozen creations and be momentarily transported to a tropical plaza in Mexico with every lick and sip.
Despite launching the brick-and-mortar store amid the challenges of the pandemic era, Tejanita’s Mangos Paletas shop quickly gained a loyal following. Locals loved the unique offerings – a far cry from run-of-the-mill vanilla soft-serve. Families would stop in for an after-dinner treat, adventurous foodies drove in from neighboring towns after hearing buzz about “the new Mexican ice cream place,” and Iowa’s Hispanic community embraced it as a taste of home. Cultural heritage has been a driving force from day one: Monzón has often noted that the very existence of Tejanita is a tribute to his roots and his grandmother’s legacy. “Life is a mango,” one of the company’s playful taglines, hints at how central the mango fruit (a staple in Mexican paletas) and by extension, tropical flavors, are to their identity. By combining Texas-sized entrepreneurial spirit with Mexican artisanal recipes, Tejanita carved out a niche that didn’t really exist in Iowa before – and in doing so, became a pioneer of Mexican-style ice cream in the Midwest.
Crafting Paletas: Authentic Mexican Ice Pops with a Creative Twist
Colorful Mexican paletas made with real fruit, milk, and natural ingredients. Tejanita’s handcrafted paletas burst with authentic flavors like mango-chile, strawberries & cream, and arroz con leche (rice pudding).
Walk into Tejanita’s Mangos Gourmet Paletas shop (or peer into one of their freezers at a local store) and you’ll be greeted by a rainbow of paletas neatly arranged on sticks. For the uninitiated, a paleta may look similar to an ordinary popsicle, but one taste will dispel that notion. Unlike mass-produced American popsicles that often rely on artificial syrups and dyes, Mexican paletas are made from whole ingredients – real puréed fruits, creamy milk, nuts, spices, and even chunks of fresh produce frozen right into the bar . This means you might find a strawberry paleta with an actual juicy strawberry embedded in the ice, or a coconut paleta flecked with tender young coconut meat. The flavors are as bold and true as the ingredients themselves. “There are popsicles, and then there are paletas,” as one food writer aptly put it . Tejanita lives by this ethos, ensuring that every paleta they make is 100% natural and homemade-style, with no artificial aftertaste – just pure bliss on a stick.
At Tejanita, innovation and tradition blend in each recipe. Many flavors pay homage to classic Mexican paletas that generations have loved: tamarind (a sweet-and-sour delight), coconut, fresas con crema (strawberries & cream), piña con chile (pineapple with chili – a spicy-sweet sensation), and arroz con leche (a creamy rice pudding flavor reminiscent of a beloved Latin dessert). One day you might crave a straightforward mango paleta, and the next you might be tempted by something adventurous like a spicy pineapple jalapeño paleta or a hibiscus-raspberry creation. The variety seems endless – Tejanita typically rotates through 20+ flavors of paletas, aligning some offerings with the seasons and holidays. “We use real mangoes, berries, and even uncommon flavors like guava or mamey when we can – whatever is freshest,” Monzón has noted, emphasizing their commitment to quality ingredients. The result is paletas that are bursting with flavor and visual appeal – bright pinks, greens, oranges, and creamy whites, but all derived from nature’s palette, not neon food coloring .
Not only are Tejanita’s paletas delicious on their own, but customers can also customize them for an extra-special treat. In the shop, it’s popular to get paletas dipped in chocolate or chamoy (a tangy Mexican fruit-spice sauce) and then sprinkled with toppings like crushed peanuts, shredded coconut, or chili-lime seasoning. One could grab a strawberries & cream paleta, have it dunked in rich milk chocolate, and rolled in Oreo cookie crumbles – a Mexican-American fusion dessert if there ever was one! The creativity in customizing paletas is part of the fun and reflects Tejanita’s willingness to innovate and play with their food.
Of course, the mango is king at Tejanita – and the pinnacle of their mango obsession is the mangonada. This frozen drink/dessert is a cult favorite that perfectly encapsulates Mexican flavor contrasts. A traditional mangonada layers smooth mango sorbet or Italian ice with chamoy sauce (a syrup made from pickled fruit, chiles, and lime) and usually comes with tamarind candy straws or pieces. Tejanita’s version is a show-stopper: it features luscious mango ice blended with real mango chunks, swirled throughout with their signature chamoy, and topped off with a tamarind-coated straw . The first taste is sweet and fruity, quickly followed by the puckering sour-salty kick of chamoy and a hint of heat – a flavor rollercoaster that keeps fans coming back for more. “This drink is also 100% all-natural for the healthy-lifestyle fans,” one Iowa food reviewer noted approvingly . In other words, even when indulging in what feels like street fair fare, Tejanita ensures a level of freshness and purity that health-conscious customers appreciate.
Beyond paletas and mangonadas, Tejanita’s repertoire includes creamy ice cream helados and even bolis (flavored ice pops in plastic tubes) to round out the menu of frozen delights. Walk into their Ankeny shop and you can also get a cup of homemade ice cream – perhaps a scoop of dulce de leche caramel or Mexican vanilla (which has a slight cinnamon note) – or try their esquimales, which are paletas dipped in chocolate and nuts (akin to a Klondike bar on a stick). The storefront itself is a feast for the senses: the walls are often decorated with murals of tropical fruits, the freezers display those vibrant paletas like jewels, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of ripe fruit and cream. Families gather on summer evenings to enjoy paletas on the patio, kids press their noses to the glass to choose their flavor, and there’s an undeniable sense that Tejanita is not just selling ice cream – it’s sharing a piece of Hispanic culture with every customer.
Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and the “Next Big Thing” in Ice Cream
Tejanita’s journey from a family recipe to a multi-state wholesale supplier is a case study in entrepreneurship and food innovation. Gabriel Monzón embodies the role of the passionate food entrepreneur: he identified a gap in the market (high-quality Mexican paletas in the Midwest) and filled it with a product line that’s both traditional and refreshingly novel. In the early days, growth meant perfecting recipes and proving the concept one popsicle at a time at local venues. But as demand grew, Monzón had to scale up production, navigate regulations (frozen desserts require meticulous quality control and often, USDA or FDA oversight), and find a way to reach more customers. This led Tejanita to invest in building a small production facility in Ankeny, complete with industrial freezers and mixers, so they could make paletas in larger quantities without losing the artisanal touch. By maintaining control over manufacturing, Tejanita could ensure consistency and food safety while experimenting with new flavors behind the scenes.
The company’s growth trajectory hit a major milestone in 2025, when Tejanita Ice Cream secured a significant financing package – partnering with Two Rivers Bank & Trust and the SBA – to expand its operations . Through an SBA-supported loan (over $2.2 million in total financing), Monzón was able to invest in state-of-the-art freezing equipment, additional storage, and perhaps even a larger facility to ramp up production . This infusion of capital was about more than just making more popsicles; it was a strategic move to transform Tejanita from a local favorite into a regional supplier. With greater manufacturing capacity, Tejanita could confidently approach distributors (like Polka Dot Dairy) and retailers, knowing they could fulfill larger orders and maintain supply throughout the hot summer months when demand peaks. It’s noteworthy that this expansion created new jobs in the community and put Tejanita on the map as an emerging force in the ice cream industry of the Midwest.
Innovation remains at the core of Tejanita’s business philosophy. While they honor time-tested flavors, the team is constantly brainstorming new combinations and product ideas to keep things exciting. They pay attention to industry trends in frozen treats – for instance, noticing the growing popularity of non-dairy desserts, Tejanita introduced dairy-free paletas made with oat milk or water-based fruit pops for vegan customers. They’ve also explored fusion flavors that blend Mexican inspiration with Midwest nostalgia; imagine a paleta that tastes like a s’more with a dash of cinnamon, or a strawberry-rhubarb paleta (a nod to Iowa’s pie traditions) spiced up with a hint of Tajín chili-lime seasoning. This inventive spirit earned Tejanita a reputation as “the next big thing” among boutique ice cream brands – a phrase even used on their social media. They proudly tag posts with #icecreamdaddy and #lifeisamango, projecting confidence that their fruit-centric frozen treats can win over just about anyone. And indeed, as more people try paletas for the first time, many discover a new favorite dessert that feels both exotic and comfortingly familiar.
Another innovative aspect of Tejanita’s business is its approach to distribution and partnerships. Early on, Monzón recognized that to grow beyond the confines of Ankeny, he’d need to get Tejanita products into other stores and perhaps even empower others to sell them. Tejanita began a “mobile vending” program, inviting aspiring entrepreneurs (often from within the Hispanic community) to become paleta vendors. The company helps these mobile vendors get started – supplying them with portable freezers or traditional push carts and a stock of paletas to sell at festivals, parks, or events. “At Tejanita Ice Cream we are glad to help you start your own business,” one company message reads, highlighting their commitment to lifting others as they grow. This approach harks back to how paletas are commonly sold in Mexico – by paleteros with carts – and it creates a ripple effect of entrepreneurship. It’s not just about Tejanita’s bottom line; it’s also about sharing the opportunity. A college student in Des Moines or a family in a neighboring town can partner with Tejanita to sell paletas on a hot summer weekend, earning income and spreading the brand at the same time. This community-oriented entrepreneurship has amplified Tejanita’s reach while staying true to the grassroots spirit of the paleta tradition .
Impact on the Community and Celebrating Culture
Beyond business metrics and expansion plans, Tejanita Mexican Ice Cream carries a deeper significance in the community. It represents a celebration of Hispanic culture in a region where such voices and flavors are still growing. For Iowa’s Latino residents, walking into Mangos Paletas and seeing treats like mangonadas, horchata ice cream, and chamoy-dipped paletas is a comforting taste of home. It’s not uncommon to hear Spanish being spoken by customers discussing which flavor to try, or to see children of immigrants getting to enjoy the same sweets their parents grew up with. This cultural bridge-building is one of Tejanita’s proudest accomplishments: food has the power to bring people together, and in Ankeny, Tejanita has become a gathering spot where diverse groups mingle over ice cream. The shop often features bilingual signage (English and Spanish) and has participated in local cultural festivals – from Cinco de Mayo events to community fairs – handing out paleta samples and proudly showcasing the colors of the Mexican flag in their décor.
The community impact also extends to economic contributions. As a Hispanic-owned small business, Tejanita provides jobs to local residents, including offering work opportunities to young people as shop staff or delivery drivers. It sources ingredients whenever possible from local suppliers (blending Midwestern dairy with tropical fruits from Latin American importers). This way, Tejanita supports not only the global agricultural community but also local farmers and vendors. Moreover, the very presence of a successful Mexican ice cream business in Ankeny sends a positive message of diversity and inclusion. It shows that the entrepreneurial spirit knows no cultural bounds and that Iowa’s business landscape is enriched by immigrant and minority entrepreneurs.
Tejanita’s success is part of a larger trend of Mexican desserts gaining popularity across the United States. In fact, Mexican paletas have become something of a craze nationally – you can now find brands like “La Michoacana” paletas in big supermarkets from Walmart to Costco . What was once a treat mostly found in Latino neighborhoods is now as mainstream as gelato or frozen yogurt. There are reportedly tens of thousands of paleterías in Mexico , and a growing number in U.S. cities too. This trend has a powerful economic and social story behind it: making and selling paletas has long been a path to success for families, allowing many to start a business with minimal capital and share their traditions with customers . Tejanita stands as a shining local example of that narrative – it took the traditional paleta, introduced it to a new audience, and built a thriving enterprise. The company’s growth also indicates a hunger (literally and figuratively) for multicultural experiences in the Midwest. As more people move to the region from different backgrounds, or as local palates become more adventurous, businesses like Tejanita are there to offer something both authentic and novel.
It’s also worth noting how Tejanita has weathered challenges. Running an ice cream business in Iowa means dealing with seasonality – summer brings booming sales, while winter can be slow. Tejanita tackles this by diversifying their products (for example, in colder months they might emphasize their Mexican hot chocolate or champurrado – a warm chocolate atole drink – if they offer it, or they cater more to grocery freezers that stock paletas year-round for the loyal fans). The company has also leveraged social media creatively, posting mouthwatering photos of new flavors on Instagram and Facebook to keep people talking even in the off-season. They’ve run contests for fans to suggest new flavors, and have been known to donate treats to school events or charity drives, further solidifying their role as a caring community member.
From Ankeny to Your Freezer: Tejanita’s Partnership with Polka Dot Dairy
One of the most exciting chapters in Tejanita’s story is its recent collaboration with Polka Dot Dairy’s wholesale distribution network. Polka Dot Dairy, an established distributor servicing about 200 cities across Minnesota and Wisconsin, recognized the potential in Tejanita’s unique product line and cultural appeal. Now, through this partnership, Tejanita’s Mexican ice cream novelties are making their way to freezer aisles far beyond Ankeny. Independent grocers, specialty food markets, and convenience stores in the Upper Midwest can stock Tejanita’s fruit bars and ice creams just as easily as they do conventional ice cream treats – bringing a burst of diversity to their frozen food section. For busy store owners, this is a win-win: they get an eye-catching, premium product that can attract customers (including the fast-growing Hispanic population in many Midwestern communities), and they enjoy the reliable service of Polka Dot’s distribution ensuring those freezers stay stocked.
A paletería freezer filled with a variety of paletas. Thanks to Polka Dot Dairy’s distribution, retailers across the Midwest can now offer customers these vibrant treats from Tejanita.
The logistics are straightforward. Tejanita produces and packages their paletas (and other treats) at their Iowa facility, then freezes them to perfection. Polka Dot Dairy’s trucks pick up these frozen goods and deliver them throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, maintaining the cold chain so everything arrives as icy and fresh as it left the factory. Retailers can order Tejanita products through Polka Dot just as they would order milk, cheese, or other snacks – integrating a whole new category of Hispanic frozen dessert into their inventory with minimal hassle. Through Polka Dot Dairy’s wholesale network, stores can easily add Tejanita’s paletas and ice creams to their offerings . This means a convenience store in Minneapolis or a family-owned grocery in rural Wisconsin can surprise their customers with treats like mango-chile paletas or strawberries-and-cream ice pops, perhaps introducing these delights to people who have never had the chance to try them before. It also builds on a trend: consumers today are seeking more global flavors and experiences, even in smaller towns, and Tejanita’s presence on store shelves fulfills that desire for something a little different than the usual popsicle box.
Polka Dot Dairy’s decision to highlight Tejanita in its new vendor stories speaks volumes. It indicates that Mexican-style ice cream is not only novel but also commercially promising in the region. Indeed, early feedback from stores carrying Tejanita products has been enthusiastic. Many report that the paletas practically sell themselves – the bright packaging and flavors like “Watermelon Tajín” or “Coconut Piña Colada” catch the eye, and once customers taste them, they’re coming back for more. In some areas with significant Latino communities, having Tejanita’s authentic treats has been a point of pride for store owners, as if saying, “We stock what our community loves.” In other areas, it’s an introduction to a new cultural experience, and curious foodies (of all backgrounds) are giving it a try. For Polka Dot Dairy, whose mission has always been to support independent retailers with unique, high-quality products, Tejanita is a perfect match. It’s local (regional), yet world-class in quality – a Midwest-made product with a Latin soul.
As the partnership grows, one can imagine even more possibilities: special edition flavors for certain regions, bilingual promotional materials for stores to educate customers on what a paleta or mangonada is, maybe even in-store tasting events on a hot day. Polka Dot’s network might eventually take Tejanita beyond the two states into neighboring areas, truly making it a Midwestern brand. Gabriel Monzón, reflecting on how far his idea has come, expressed pride that Tejanita is “bringing a little piece of Mexico to every state” it reaches . That sentiment captures the essence of this venture: it’s not just about frozen desserts; it’s about sharing culture, creating joy, and doing so in a way that makes economic sense for everyone involved – from the manufacturer to the distributor, to the retailer, and ultimately to the customer savoring a delicious paleta on a warm afternoon.
A Sweet Future for Tejanita Mexican Ice Cream
From a grandmother’s cherished recipe to the freezers of Midwestern convenience stores, Tejanita’s journey is a testament to the power of cultural heritage and entrepreneurship. Gabriel Monzón and his team have shown that when you mix passion, authenticity, and business savvy, the results can be extraordinary (and in this case, extraordinarily tasty). Tejanita Mexican Ice Cream has not only introduced Iowa and its neighbors to the joys of Mexican paletas and mangonadas, but it has done so while uplifting others – be it through creating jobs, enabling small vendors, or simply educating palates. Each paleta sold is more than a fruity refreshment; it’s a story – of a family tradition, of cross-cultural connection, of innovation in the food industry.
As Tejanita looks to the future, there’s plenty to be excited about. The company is likely to continue expanding its flavor lineup (perhaps a Midwest corn and caramel paleta for the Iowa State Fair, or a cranberry-chili paleta nodding to Wisconsin’s cranberries – who knows!). There’s also room to grow geographically – today Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin; tomorrow maybe the greater Midwest or even national distribution as the buzz grows. But no matter how large the company becomes, it’s clear that they’ll hold onto the core values that got them this far: quality, authenticity, and community.
Polka Dot Dairy’s customers – the retailers reading this – can feel confident in partnering with Tejanita, not just because it’s a delicious addition to their assortment, but because it represents a differentiator in a crowded marketplace. Stocking Tejanita’s Hispanic ice cream delights can turn a simple freezer into an attraction and give shoppers a reason to choose their store over a competitor’s. In an age where consumers seek experiences along with products, having that mangonada or horchata ice cream available is an experience in itself.
In conclusion, Tejanita Mexican Ice Cream is more than a brand – it’s a bridge between worlds. It’s the son of a Texan and Mexican legacy making good in Iowa. It’s the taste of Mexico finding a home in the Midwest. It’s the entrepreneurial dream pursued with flavor and flair. And for all of us with a sweet tooth and an appreciation for a great story, Tejanita is a reminder that sometimes the coolest way to bring people together is with something delightfully frozen on a stick. ¡Buen provecho! Enjoy the sweetness of Tejanita, now coming to a store near you, and join us in celebrating the success of this pequeño negocio with big dreams and even bigger flavors.
