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I went to Birmingham’s ‘best’ ice cream shop and one thing is now ruined forever

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I went to Birmingham’s ‘best’ ice cream shop and one thing is now ruined forever

A little girl is wiping down a table in La-Pop when I arrive on Saturday afternoon following a big workout. I’m in Edgbaston, just off Five Ways island, and the promise of Birmingham’s ‘best’ ice cream (not my words, the words of countless reviewers before me) lures me into the shop I’ve driven past loads of times without going in.

The shop is absolutely lovely, split in two with limited seating in both sections as well as out the front like some cute Italian gelateria. Giant model ice lollies in various stages of being eaten form the wall light sconces and they’re illuminating a table on which a dad is telling his two little girls to get their feet off the chairs.




Unlike other ice creams shops I have lived, laughed and loved in – including this 90-year-old parlour that I adore – the counter at La-Pop isn’t full of giant tubs of colourful creams waiting to be scooped on to cones. Here you can order cheesecakes on sticks dipped in chocolate, dipped strawberries, milkshakes, mocktails and the very thing they’re famous for: their famous pops.

Read more: I visited the 90-year-old ice cream parlour near Birmingham with queues down the street

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It’s a build-your-own situation, I learn, as I agonise over every individual choice. Laid out are gelato lollies in flavours like caramel gold, strawberry, banoffee, mango, mint, bubblegum, hazelnut, pistachio, coconut, coffee… the list goes on, and that is not to mention the sorbet lollies. I choose the strawberry gelato.

Gelato options on the counter at La-Pop(Image: Kirsty Bosley)

Then, I had to choose what chocolate I wanted it dipped in. Pristine vats of colourful, molten liquid are glossy and gleaming, with milk, white and dark options as well as strawberry chocolate, orange and matcha chocolate too. I panic and double up on the strawberry, keen not to ruin it with poor decision making.

The dip is deliberate and careful and I watch as the frozen gelato is dunked to the La-Pop lolly stick. I’m wondering why the guy serving is taking so long, but I’d find out later. He suggests I have drizzles of white chocolate too and who am I to say no to such a brilliant suggestion? Get it drizzled.

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