Jacksonville Mexican ice cream shop reminds customers of home

Jacksonville, N.C. (WITN) - Paleteria Deya is an authentic Mexican Ice Cream shop on Western Blvd in Jacksonville.

The shop has brightly colored chairs, tables, and walls. Alejandra Gasperin is one of the owners who says it replicates the ice cream shops in Mexico.

Isabella Ortega says she loves the variety.

“I love their corn,” Ortega told WITN. “Their corn, especially with the chips, is really good, and my daughter loves their ice cream.”

The shop sells ice cream, popsicles, Tostilocos, Jarritos, and much more. The store is part of the International Food Trail in Onslow County.

“We make everything here,” said Gasperin. “Everything is natural like from fresh fruit, we don’t do any artificial, so we are very glad to be part of them.”

In July 2024, the US Census said 14.2% of Hispanic and Latinos make up the Onslow County population. Gasperin says most of her customers are Hispanics and Marines.

“We have a lot of marines from a lot of states with Hispanics, like in Texas and California,” said Gasperin. “They have tasted this before, so they feel close to another state to their countries.”

While Ortega found out about the store only two years ago, she says it will always remind her of home.

“We are from a very diverse cultural place,” said Ortega. “I am from Virginia and my husband is from Chicago, so we have a lot of these over there and this is the only one here so it’s close to home.”

There are three locations in North Carolina, including Greenville, Farmville, and Jacksonville.