Skip to content
Food
Link copied to clipboard

The Scoop: Verde budino pops

Four years ago, Philly foodies declared Barbuzzo’s budino the city’s best dessert, ever.

Chef Turney's much lauded, eaten and fondly remembered frozen budino pops.
Chef Turney's much lauded, eaten and fondly remembered frozen budino pops.Read more

The deal: Four years ago, Philly foodies declared Barbuzzo's budino the city's best dessert, ever. How popular? Chef Marcie Turney's Italian caramel pudding with a chocolate cookie crumb base and a salted caramel sauce in a li'l Ball jar has sold 100,000 times.

In summer, Turney and partner Val Safran turn their restaurant-reservation-required delight into a frozen takeout treat. Crowds follow.

Where: Verde, 108 S. 13th St., 215-546-8700, verdephiladelphia.com.

When: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays through August.

We tried: This upscale dipped-to-order confection. Frankly, it looked a lot like a chunky version of the Good Humor original. Then, we bit in. Into a dark chocolate shell sprinkled with sea salt and slightly perfumed with coconut. Into frozen caramel pudding with a core of salted caramel and chocolate cookie crumbs around a wooden stick. Into, well, bliss.

Last year: "We sold about 300 a day and usually sold out," Safran said. This year, they're making 500 a week, "stockpiling," she said. Verde's also setting up outdoor tables for quick pre-melt consumption.

Next time: We'll take time to browse Verde's sunglasses, hats, costume jewelry, tote bags . . .

After, we: Had brain freeze. Didn't mind. Totally worth it.

Price: $5 a pop.