Non-alcoholic piña colada: Photo by Eliott Muñoz
There is no place quite like Frutería Cano. The locally owned chain of fruit markets sells whole fruits and veggies, plus fruit plates and cups. But there is so much more. Liquados ($5), the Mexican version of a smoothie, is a blend of milk, ice, fruit and sugar. It’s a drink served only for breakfast in Mexico, owner Jose Cano says, but he found that Americans like it any time of day. The mangonada ($6) is a slushie made with fresh mango. The “Russa” ($5) is made with grapefruit soda and ice, topped with chopped pineapple, jicama and cucumber, plus a dash of chile to accentuate the sweetness of the fruit. But to really go big, try the non-alcoholic piña colada ($5) served in a whole pineapple. They use hand drills to carve the fruit out of its husk and serve the drink with whipped cream and a cherry on top and — what else? — a little umbrella. Frutería Cano started out as a small shop in Old East Dallas 13 years ago and became so popular that the owners have expanded to seven stores in Dallas, Garland and Irving. They also have concession stands that operate on weekends at Traders Village flea markets in Grand Prairie, San Antonio and Houston, and at Summer Adventures at Fair Park. “Fruit is cheap and healthy,” Cano says. “And people of any age love it.” Frutería Cano also serves sandwiches, elotes, sno cones, energy smoothies, strawberries and cream, banana splits and “mango sticks,” pieces of mango placed artfully on a stick to resemble a flower. Cano’s son Luis Cano says the menu is expanding constantly. “We think of something new all the time,” he says.
Mangonada slushie with fresh mangoes:
Eliott Muñoz
Frutería Cano
1133 N. Zang
214.943.9677
Ambiance:
MARKET/COUNTER SERVICE
Price range:
$3-$6
Hours:
8 A.M.-9 P.M.,
MONDAY-SUNDAY
Three more spots for your frosty fix
1 Papaya
Find lively salsa music and friendly counter service at this cute, family owned fruitería, which serves huge fruit cups and smoothies as well as $6 lunches of sandwich, chips and a drink.
925 W. Jefferson
214.948.0311
2 La Original Michoacana
Decadent house-made ice cream in flavors including strawberry and cheese, guanabana and spicy mango, plus some of the best paletas anywhere.
415 W. Davis
469.867.3092
3 Flash Ice Cream
This little shop has it all — fruit cups, ice cream and frozen yogurt as well as tortas and other lunchtime fare.
1310 W. Davis
214.946.2075
