Monarca Gourmet Paletas — Restaurant in Waukee

We have been to the Clive location and it was great but I took my 2 kids the Waukee location last night (3/31/25) and unfortunately we left without any ice cream. We walked into the shop and it was empty. I waited several minutes and called out 'Hello?' A guy appeared on the phone and held up a finger and then went back to the back. We waited another 5 minutes until another couple came in. Again, they called to the back and no one came. The gentleman walked around the building to see if the employee was outback and couldn't find him. When he came back inside he called again, no answer. So he went and opened the employee only door and the employee was sitting in the back on his phone. The guy asked if he was open and he responded yes, that he needed send some packages out??? We waited another 2-3 minutes and he still did not come out to help us. After waiting 15 plus minutes we gave up and left. We will not be back to this location. So...

Now open! We decided to not waste any time checking this place out. No experience with paletas. The staff was very helpful explaining the process. I was feeling a light, refreshing treat so I went with the lime and my wife chose the strawberry cheesecake. I added tajin and chamoi sauce to mine at the direction of our helper at the counter and my wife added dark chocolate and cookie butter sauces. She then added oreo topping. Our bill was about $12 before tip. We both enjoyed our first experience with paletas. I definitely want to try other combos because there’s quite a variety depending on if you’re looking for a light, popsicle treat or more indulgent chocolaty ice cream snack.

Seating is spacious. Art is beautiful. Volume of music behind the counter made it difficult to hear the server, but hey, it’s day 1. It wasn’t overbearing once we were seated.

This is a great addition to the area and I recommend...

Last Friday at 8:02 PM we went to visit Monarca Paletas for the first time, my 13 year old cousin being excited recorded a short video showing the menu & a little clip around the store, NOT focusing on the back. After the video ended, the man at the end of the video accused her of recording the back & word by word said "Were you recording the back? I was looking at the cameras" in the video, never ONCE does she focus in the back kitchen, he was extremely unprofessional and rude, especially in confronting a child, disappointing...