If you’re looking for a great place to get vegetarian food or ice cream, add Covina Tasty to your list!
Covina Tasty has been open since the ‘80s. It’s a nostalgic fast-food restaurant that was originally a Tastee-Freez, but changed to Covina Tasty Freez & Food when the owner, who worked at Tastee-Freez at the time, bought the building. The restaurant has offered vegetarian options like veggie burgers, vegan chicken nuggets, vegan chili and taro ice cream for the past four decades.
I found Covina Tasty while searching for a self-owned ice cream shop rather than a corporate restaurant. This local gem caught my eye because of the old-school sign and artwork all around the building. Although it looks a bit run down and lacks modernity, I love the nostalgia surrounding this place.
While walking up to the order window, I first noticed the different options for the food and ice cream. The infinite flavor combinations you can add in your milkshake or sundae surprised me. They have odd flavors like avocado, bubble gum and matcha. I was skeptical of those flavors, so I ordered a chocolate and strawberry milkshake instead.
The pricing at Covina Tasty is average for soft serve ice cream. My small, 16 ounce milkshake was $4.19. Compared to a 16 ounce strawberry milkshake from Chick-fil-a, which is $4.29, I believe their pricing is fair. They also have cheaper options like ice cream cones ranging from $1.49–$2.89. They accept payments in cash, credit and apple pay.
I received my order no more than five minutes after I ordered. With only two staff members working, my friends and I were expecting a longer wait for five items. The workers were friendly and provided us with napkins and a straw when they handed our orders to us. We took our ice cream to their outdoor seating area and were thoroughly impressed with our selections.
From my first sip of my milkshake, I was blown away. The ingredients were fresh and bursting with flavor. I loved how they used fresh strawberries instead of a strawberry purée. Although it left chunks of strawberry in the bottom, I didn’t mind because I liked the added texture.
Besides the business of my friends and I, Covina Tasty didn’t seem very busy. There was one other person when we arrived, and no other customers after us. With well-known shops like Afters and many fast food restaurants that offer ice cream, small businesses often get overlooked. Consider supporting a local business as an alternative to your default.
Covina Tasty has become my go-to spot for ice cream. Their inexpensive prices and fresh ingredients have me hooked and ready to go back for more! If you’re looking for a quality ice cream shop in the Azusa area, give this small business a try.