Sweet Snacks with a Spicy Bite at Las Fridas
Editor’s note: Originally posted July 14, 2020. Republished May 13, 2021.
Maybe you're ready to hang out in businesses that are now open with masks required while ordering at the counter and every other table cordoned off to enforce social distancing. Maybe you'd rather just pop in for takeout and eat it in your car or at home. Whatever your comfort level is, one thing we can agree on is that new businesses which opened during the pandemic are definitely worth checking out.
That's exactly why I drove over to the shopping center at Colby and Everett Ave, so I could get some fresh, tasty treats from Las Fridas, which opened on June 6, 2020.
To-go menus, hand sanitizer, and masks in case you don't have one // Christopher Bragg
If you've never been to a Mexican snack bar and aren't sure what to expect, all you really need to know is that everything at Las Fridas is delicious, fresh, and fun. And no matter how hard you try at home, you'll never make a coctel de frutas as perfect as they can. I think it's because they keep a lot of fruit on hand and know which ones are perfectly ripe that day, and know from experience exactly how much Tajin seasoning is needed.
Tajin is tasty, but it's easy to overdo it at home // Christopher Bragg
The menu item calling my name was the chicharron prepado, a giant wheat puff with your choice of mayo or sour cream plus cabbage, pickled pork rinds, tomatoes, cotija cheese, hot sauce, and avocado. The menu mentions that you can order it without the pickled pork rinds, but that's what I specifically wanted to try. There was so much fresh flavor in every bite that I couldn't pick up on their specific flavor, but they were chewy and fun, a lot like tendon, my favorite option when I order pho.
A work of art you can eat, and it doesn't shatter like a tostada can // Christopher Bragg
The amount of cheese in the top of my esquites cup looked like a lot at first, but when I scooped out half and put it in a separate bowl I found it was exactly right. Not that I'd be bothered by too much, but it's nice when something is so masterfully made that it mixes perfectly even if you're the one doing the mixing.
Corn, cotija, and chili powder with a little mayo = a lot of flavor // Christopher Bragg
It'd be silly to leave without something from the freezer for later, right? I took home two scoops each of the horchata ice cream and lime sorbet. Both were great, but I especially liked the horchata ice cream. Just like the drink it's based on, it was light and not overly sweet. If you're eating your ice cream right away, you can choose a cup or a waffle cone, or if you're hungry, a banana split.
Cold treats perfect for the hot summer days on the way // Christopher Bragg
With so much closed and canceled this summer, it's up to us to find our own fun and support our longtime favorite businesses as well as the new ones. Stop by Las Fridas for some delicious treats and welcome them to downtown Everett the next time you're craving, fun, fresh snacks and desserts.
Las Fridas
2625 Colby Ave. #5
Everett, WA 98201
Christopher Bragg works from home in Everett and loves walking, swimming, and cats. You can find him all over town, but only if you keep weird hours and avoid crowds like he does.
