Despite what some may say, it’s never too cold to enjoy delicious ice cream—especially if that sweet treat is from Torico in Downtown Jersey City. After 52 years of “serving happiness,” this beloved shop is opening a second storefront in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood of JC.
Owner’s Pura and Peter Berrios plan to expand their popular ice cream parlor to a one-story building on Garfield Ave. With more than 3,500 square feet, this immense structure will have a spacious storefront for visitors and will also serve as a production facility for both locations. Guests could be savoring their favorite Torico flavors at their new locale as soon as 2022.
Originally established in 1968 as the Tropical Delight delicatessen, Torico quickly transformed into an ice cream hot spot. When pregnant with her first daughter, Pura craved her favorite tropical ice cream from Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, her husband could not find these fresh, fruity flavors for her, so he bought an ice cream machine and made the frozen desserts himself. Peter added the sweet treat to the deli’s menu soon after, and customers came flocking in to try it.
After receiving such positive feedback from guests, the couple made the decision to focus exclusively on serving ice cream, and thus, Torico was born. While his old machine has been retired, Peter continues to hand-make the shop’s rich ice cream. Using real fruit and other premium ingredients, you won’t find any powdered mixes in these creamy creations! With more than 65 flavors available, this extensive menu includes everything from bubble gum to green tea. They even make their own, unique concoctions like s’mores, Irish cream liqueur, and cereal milk. Torico can also turn any of your favorite flavors into a milkshake, ice cream cake, and even a pie.
As you patiently wait for the opening of their Bergen-Lafayette location, visit their original storefront in the meantime. In spite of the chilly weather, Torico is open every Sunday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Whether you’re grabbing a cone or a pint, Torico is the hottest spot for a cold scoop of ice cream.
Main photo from @toricoicecream
