Eugene has received the spring season memo, and the rainy days and overcast skies have made space for the sun to finally shine. For those looking to celebrate the season, check out Peek-A-Boo La Michoacana Delight, an authentic Mexican ice cream shop perfect for sunny days.
Tucked away near the corner of Willamette St. and E. Broadway, Peek-A-Boo boasts vibrant decor that catches the eye.
On one side of the shop, rainbow sprinkles adorn the walls, complemented by colorful popsicles. On the other side, mariachi sombreros hang alongside pictures of ice cream cones and churro sundaes. At the store’s entrance, a charming little pink traditional paleta (popsicle) cart sits, paired with the store’s adorable logo — a bear holding an ice cream cone.
The shop, run by mother-daughter duo Alma Vasquez and Itzel Bigot, sells a range of popsicles made from different fruits like strawberries, watermelon, mango and even nuts. Next to the popsicles sits their signature dairy-free ice cream in flavors like cotton candy and chocolate, made from the delicious and iconic Abuelita Mexican chocolate.
I tasted the cotton candy, and its sweet flavor had me hooked. The blend of blue and purple colors evokes nostalgia and keeps me coming back for more.
The ice cream is handcrafted from water and natural fruit juices, a Michoacana style, ensuring flavor without any artificial additives or preservatives. Peek-a-boo also uses fruits native to Mexico, like mamey zapote, to preserve the authentic cultural taste.
“Here in Eugene there are not many Mexican ice cream shops,” Vasquez said. She added that she and her family often need to travel to another city to find Mexican-style ice cream, but even then, their options are limited. “It’s a long process to make ice cream, but I love it. Especially now, my daughter is pregnant, and I don’t want my granddaughter to eat the bad stuff or too much sugar. So if I provide fruit ice cream for her, why not provide it for my clients?”
The mouthwatering fun doesn’t end here. Customers have the option to pair their favorite ice cream flavors on a tray of mini pancakes, drizzled with chocolate sauce and topped with powdered sugar. For those who aren’t feeling up to ice cream, there are other treats like mangonadas, which is a mango sorbet topped with spicy and tangy flavors of Tajín and Chamoy.
A personal favorite of mine, not commonly found in Eugene, is the elote — corn coated in mayonnaise, cheese, chili powder and butter. When I visit home in Los Angeles, I eagerly chase down street vendors pushing carts just to savor this sweet corn before heading back to school. Now, I can buy this cherished Mexican snack right here in Eugene.
“I’m from Mexico City, and my city has a lot of gastronomy — a lot of good food in the street,” Vasquez said. “That’s why I want to recreate my childhood.”
Vasquez recreates beloved childhood foods to share with the Eugene community, and when she thinks of a new dish, she dedicates months to perfecting it to ensure it reaches peak deliciousness for her customers. While Vasquez oversees the food creation, her daughter manages the business aspects. Vasquez said she is grateful to have her daughter’s support in bringing her dream to fruition.
“I know my English is not good. I try to push myself to communicate with Americans because I want this ice cream to belong in the American community. I want them to enjoy a little part of my country,” she said. “And if they visit my country, they can say, ‘Oh wow, I know this flavor.’”
Vasquez and Bigot took culinary classes at Lane Community College to learn how to make this style of ice cream. There were times when financial restrictions could have stopped them, but they persevered for Vasquez’s dream of sharing her culture. Vasquez said she makes each dish with love, adding her own style to it because, “nosotros, los mexicanos, decimos ‘cada quien es único en lo que hace, aunque sea lo mismo’” (“We, the Mexicans, say ‘everyone is unique in what they do, even if it is the same’”).
Even with their dedicated efforts, Peek-A-Boo experiences occasional slow days without customers. Vasquez recognizes that this comes as part of the business journey, and she maintains a positive outlook. When customers do visit, she is the friendly face who shares her positive energy and brightens their day with a scoop of ice cream.
“Tengo la oportunidad de platicar con diferentes culturas. A mi me encanta conocer culturas diferentes” (“I have the opportunity to talk with people from different cultures. I love getting to know different cultures”), Vasquez said. “Yo siempre les doy la bienvenida porque para mi, es super importante que ellos se sientan bienvenidos en este espacio porque es para la comunidad. Es para mis clientes” (“I always welcome them because for me, it is super important that they feel welcome in this space because it is for the community. It is for my clients”).
Vasquez and Bigot extend a warm welcome to all of Eugene, as this shop is for the community, especially those eager to explore a different cultural palette. Interacting with customers is one of Vasquez’s favorite aspects of her job, allowing her to both share her cultural heritage and connect with others.
“I want them to enjoy the fruit,” she said. “This is my purpose as the maker of ice cream.”
