Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2021 and updated in 2024.
Raspados are the ultimate summer snack — and there are more locally-owned places to get a raspado in Tucson than ice cream shops.
If you're unfamiliar, raspados are similar to shaved ice but typically come with juice, chunks of fruit, ice cream and lechera (sweetened condensed milk). Or there are bolder versions with spicy candies and chamoy.
Beyond raspados, common delights at these shops include Tosti-Locos, fresas con crema (strawberries with cream) and elote.
Here are 29 shops around town.
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Delicias De Michoacan
At Delicias De Michoacan, you can find lots of paletas, ice cream and raspados. According to their Facebook page, the shop started when the Iñiguez-Barragán family moved to Tucson in 2014 and started looking for the perfect spot to house their raspado business.
Entre Sonora y Sinaloa Taqueria y Raspados
This shop has everything from tacos to tamales, plus raspados!
Fruitlandia
This chain from Phoenix has opened a new location in Tucson, bringing along all the classic treats. Tostitos, mangoyadas and fresas con crema can be found here.
Funland Raspados
Starting in 1999, Funland has served Tucson for more than two decades with its 13 flavors of raspados, snacks, ice cream and fruity treats. There are also burgers, Sonoran hot dogs, tamales and queso-Cheetos (a quesadilla packed with Hot Cheetos) at the Grant location.
GeMa Raspados & Delights
GeMa is one of the only raspado shops on the north side. They also have a south-side location!
Jason's Mexican Food
The Mangoyada at Taqueria Y Raspados Jason has chunks of mango with chamoy, lime and Mexican candies on top.
Jason's Mexican Food is a fast-casual spot for food that includes tacos, carne asada fries, burritos, hot dogs and, of course, raspados.
Juice N' Fruit Raspados
Juice N' Fruit has more than a dozen natural juices, in addition to its 17 raspado flavors that range from the classics like strawberry and mango to flavors such as watermelon, cherry and banana.
La Michoacana
La Michoacana Ice Cream Spot located on Oracle Road and La Michoacana Ice Cream Shop located on Craycroft Road both serve tons of raspados and paleta flavors, plus ice cream in flavors like cucumber with chile and tres leches.
La Muncheria
Check out La Muncheria's TikTok to see their treats — they not only serve up raspados, but also lots of antojitos like Tosti-Locos and sandia loca.
Los Raspados de la 12
Los Raspados de la 12 is a new-ish shop, serving up 12 raspado flavors including less common flavors like chocolate and guava. You can also get lots of sweets, like Nutella cheesecake.
Mangos Refresqueria Y Cafe
Mother-son duo Veronica and Carl Amaya started Mangos in 2017 after dabbling for years with the idea of opening their version of a "Mexican Starbucks."
Of course, Carl Amaya's favorite raspado flavor is mango. Beyond the raspados, you'll find elote (some of which are covered in Hot Cheetos dust), tacos, tortas and desserts such as a churro waffle.
Marymar Raspados
Marymar, which has been around for about two decades, has all the raspado and antojito classics.
Marymar is also home to a full event space a few miles away.
Tropilandia
Tropilandia has taken over the old Mr. Lokko building, but don't worry, they still offer everything Mr. Lokko once had. The shop offers the option to fill a cup with all kinds of chips, candy, fruit and seafood. Think salad bar... but with chips and candy. What more could you ask for?
Oasis Fruit Cones
By far, the favorite flavor among customers at Oasis Fruit Cones is strawberry.
With roots dating back to 1983, Oasis is one of Tucson's oldest raspado shops. The business started as a hobby of brothers Alfonso and John Carrizosa, who were inspired by their grandfather who sold raspados in his front yard in Mexico.
Paleteria y Neveria La Michoacana
Home to a pink-and-white-striped building on the corner of Sixth Avenue is Paleteria y Neveria La Michoacana (and yes, the interior matches the exterior). In addition to raspados, the shop sells lots of ice cream treats and fruit paletas. Check out their newer locations on Grant Road and Broadway, too!
Peña's Raspados
Pictured is the walnut raspado from Peña's Raspados.
Peña's serves up all the classics you'd expect to find at a raspado shop — raspados, macedonias (fruit and ice cream, minus the shaved ice), elote, pico de gallo (not the salsa, but fruit with chile and lime) and nachos.
Raspados El Chikitin
Located in midtown, find El Chikitin serving raspados and other sweets like fresas con crema. Their sister eatery, the Taqueria El Chikitin food truck, is just steps away serving tacos and asada fries.
Raspados El Paraiso
The Reboltijo at Raspados El Paraiso includes your choice of raspado flavor, plus Mexican candies and chamoy. The pictured Reboltijo has strawberry.
Raspados El Paraiso has been serving Tucson for about seven years. In 2021, owner Ana Castro expanded the shop with a second location that has a drive-thru.
Castro's grandmother used to sell raspados from a cart in Sinaloa — and Castro still uses some of those recipes.
Raspados El Sahuaro
From the owners of Fourth Avenue's La Yaquesita, Raspados El Sahuaro opened in 2024 with raspados, antojitos, sandwiches and wraps. The shop is open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays!
Raspados La Niña
Raspados La Niña has raspados in many flavors including peach, which is pictured here.
Located in a little pink building on Park Avenue is Raspados La Niña.
The shop sells goodies like breakfast burritos, quesadillas and caramelos, in addition to about 10 flavors for raspados.
Raspados Rio Sonora
Find a menu packed with flavors at Raspados Rio Sonora. There are several raspado flavors to choose from, plus specialty raspados such as the Chamoyada that's a tamarind raspado with chamoy, lime and Rielitos candies.
Sonoran Delights
The Robles family has been serving raspados to Tucsonans for more than two decades, originally starting with a shop called Sonoran Sno-Cones.
Sonoran Delights, which is more of a taqueria with tortas, burros and tacos, has been around since 2005.
Sweetie's Shave Ice & Raspados
Josh Mendoza makes a half strawberry, half horchata shaved ice at Sweetie’s Shave Ice & Raspados, 5460 E. Speedway.
Sweetie's is home to both shaved ice (you can add toppings like marshmallow fluff or chamoy) and raspados. While it looks like their brick-and-mortar has closed, they are still serving up delicious treats in their truck!
Sweet Vibes Raspados
Sweet Vibes in midtown has raspados, gelato and treats including sugar-free chamoy.
Ta' Raspado
Ta' Raspado has loads of raspado flavors to choose from, plus tortas, natural juices, ice cream treats and other antojitos.
Tacos Hermano
Local food truck Tacos Hermano is home to carne asada and cabeza tacos, caramelos, burros and other savory dishes, in addition to antojitos and several raspado flavors.
Tanna's Botannas
While they are known for their chamoy-covered candies, Tanna's Botannas also serves their take on shaved ice called Puro Ice. Puro Ice comes in all kinds of flavors, including fan favorites like mango drizzled in chamoy and watermelon topped with Tajín and a saladito.
They also have other raspado shop classics like loaded Tostitos and agua frescas.
Taqueria Pico de Gallo
Customers can enjoy both tacos and a raspado when visiting Taqueria Pico De Gallo.
While Taqueria Pico de Gallo, which has been a Tucson staple for decades, is most known for its tacos and freshly-made corn tortillas, they also have raspados!
Tropical Raspados
Find raspados, piña loca, dessert waffles, Tostilocos and more snacks at Tropical Raspados.
