Sondra Hernandez Staff writer June 27, 2024

U.S. Navy veteran Haley Burgess is making life sweeter on Lake Conroe this summer. 

In August 2023, Burgess opened Montgomery County’s first location of The Paleta Bar in Waterpoint Center on Lake Conroe. The center is lakeside and filled with restaurants and shops and includes a waterfront boardwalk along the property. 

She’s also bringing popularity to the paleta, which is Spanish for “ice pops.” The rectangle-shaped popsicle that is cream or water based is a summer staple in Hispanic culture. 

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“It’s a popsicle but it’s made with fresh fruits and fresh ingredients,” she said. “Everything is fresh and made in house.” 

In addition to paletas they have Aguas Frescas, a Mexican-style drink that translates to “fruit waters” made with fresh fruits and Horchata which is described as a sweet rice milk beverage.

What to know about The Paleta Bar

The Paleta Bar was introduced by a trio of friends with restaurant experience. The first location opened in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2017. There are now 43 locations across New Mexico, California, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, Utah and Nevada. 

There are six Texas location with a new store coming soon to Amarillo. The other Houston-area store is in Memorial City. The Lake Conroe location is at 15258 Texas 105 West. 

Burgess frequented the Hollywood Boulevard location when she was stationed near Los Angeles. 

She grew up in Spring and is a 2014 graduate of Klein Oak High School. After high school, she served in the U.S. Navy from 2016 to 2020. 

She was stationed roughly two hours from Los Angeles and she and her Navy friends would spend time in Los Angeles during their leaves. 

“We’d go to the one on Hollywood Boulevard all the time. Sometimes twice in one day,” she said. 

Sweet and colorful treat

At first she was intimidated by all the colors and flavors. 

She stuck with fruit and a sprinkle of Tajin a chili/lime seasoning until one day she took a bite of her friend’s watermelon paleta with chili spice. 

“Ironically I’m not big on sweets. I tried a bite and it was so good,” she said. “I had no idea of the creative things you can do with it.” 

Fast forward to her return to Texas with her family now living in the Montgomery area. 

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She was picking up take-out food one day from Akashi Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar in Waterpoint Center and saw the sign seeking a franchisee for The Paleta Bar in the center. 

“I knew what it was and I was curious,” she said. Not long after, she bought the location. “It was a really strange God-led situation.” 

Unique flavors

The paletas come in fruit flavors but also unique tastes like avocado and taro a root vegetable with a purple color. 

“The taro has an almondy, coconut type flavor,” she said. “It’s one of our best sellers but I really have to convince people to try it.” 

Despite the green color, she said the avocado paleta does not taste like guacamole. 

“It’s sweet and sugary and also a big seller,” she said. 

After picking out a paleta, the bar can be dipped in milk, dark or white chocolate or powdered in chile powder or Chamoy a sweet or spicy liquid or paste. 

Then the paleta is coated in a variety of nuts, candy, cookies or cereal. 

She said their Cookies N Cream bar is a summer favorite. For fall they’ll have pumpkin flavors and at Christmas they have peppermint flavors. 

Getting to share the different flavors and the culture behind them is one of Burgess’ passions and favorite things about the store. 

Her shop also has savory snacks like “elotes” or corn in a cup covered with Parmesan cheese, mayo and spices and their signature Dorinachos, Doritos chips with nacho cheese sauce. 

First-time visitors

The Kim family experienced their first paletas as they visited Lake Conroe recently. 

Johnny Kim, of The Woodlands, said it was their first time to the The Paleta Bar. He appreciated that it was something cool and different as they were visiting the lake. 

He chose the Oreo Lovers combo with and Oreo paleta, white chocolate and Oreo crumbs. 

Not only was it tasty he said a six-pack was a good deal for his family of eight. 

When asked if he was a fan of paletas, he said “I am now.” 

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