Resturant

Latin food

Oh my word, that was great Mexican food! Portion size was enormous! And I thought it was just an ice cream shop. Didn't even have room for ice cream after the nachos!

A distinctive side of LaBelle is it's Hispanic influence. This can be seen in few areas more prevalently than in its restaurant offerings. While fast food offerings are typical and there are a couple of restaurant offerings in the area that offer American fare like barbecue and your regular comfort food options, as well as some Chinese, you will find more Mexican offerings in the area than anything else.

You won't hear any complaining from me because it's among my favorite types of food.

Paleteria La Victoria offers a mix of Mexican and El Salvadoran fare that you don't find anywhere else in town, and it's the only Hispanic paletería to be found in LaBelle.

I decided to try something a little different than the typical gordita or taco that I like to grab onto whenever I go to a Taqueria, and so I ordered two pupusas and an El Salvadoran tamale with a mango milkshake for dessert.

I was quite pleased. All items were made to order and served hot after being prepared in the kitchen in the back, except the shake, which was made at the counter near the ice cream.

The pupusas came with a side of pickled cabbage and the red sauce that typically accompanies them. For one who has never eaten such, keep in mind that the authentic way to eat them is with your hands, not with a fork and knife. Add the cabbage and red sauce to the pupusa, fold it, or rip off pieces and eat them bit by bit.

The El Salvadoran tamale is a little different from the Mexican in that it includes some vegetables, whereas the Mexican style does not. They offer both, but I have only tried the El Salvadoran. It was flavorful, but a bit wetter than I'm used to in a tamale, likely owing to the veggies. I also craved a bit more spice, but I like spicy food, so another person may be entirely happy. Just ask for some hot sauce or something if you want it to be a little hotter.

The mango milkshake was very mellow and left me wanting a slightly more intense fruit flavor. However, I could appreciate it for what it was. Some mangoes are weaker than others.

The restaurant offers a host of other types of food, loads of ice cream, healthy fruit juices, Mexican candies, Aguas Frescas, smoothies, and other milkshake flavors.

It's a colorful and flavorful establishment that is filled with kind people. If you happen to be in town, it is worth a stop.

They have delicious Mexican-style Ice Cream—I especially like the blue-colored, Bubble Gum Flavored Popsicles. La Victoria is a “sweet” part of LaBelle’s unique collection of restaurants. Stop by for a treat next time you’re around!