A heat wave is not a bad thing, if you can get to Zacatecas Raspados. 
Dig into one of this store’s Mexican style snow cones and soon your teeth will ache and your mouth go numb with frozen bliss.
Rather than artificial syrups, the raspado toppings are made from fresh fruits such as peaches, strawberries, pineapple, mango and guava. Still more flavors are coconut, nut, vanilla and lime.
Typical Mexican toppings include tamarind, jamaica (based on a tart, sweet red drink), rompope (similar to eggnog) and cajeta (sweet, caramelized milk). Recently a sign went up advertising a new flavor, coffee.
The tiny shop is as Mexican as can be. Reproductions of Diego Rivera calla lily paintings hang on the walls. Red, white and green tiles pay homage to the Mexican flag, and jars of brightly colored toppings stand on the counter, like the colorful drinks displayed in Mexican markets and restaurants.
The only place to sit inside is a small bench. When business gets brisk, the shop sets tables and chairs on the sidewalk. Then you’re in the swing of eastside life, as moms and kids, an aged ice cream vendor, auto workers and others pass by.
Zacatecas Raspados also sells juices, licuados (blender drinks) and fruit salads, but the raspados have made it famous. So much so that in hot weather, you may have a long wait before you get sweet, frosty relief.
Raspados are $3 at Zacatecas Raspados, 422 N. Ford Blvd. (just east of the 710 freeway and north of Cesar E. Chavez Ave.), Los Angeles, CA 90022. Tel: (323) 264-7651
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