San Francisco’s food scene is no stranger to innovative mashups, from sushi burritos to ramen burgers. But sometimes, the best food trends are those that tap into a sense of nostalgia. Enter Rocko’s Ice Cream Tacos, a trendy food truck concept that reimagines the beloved Choco Taco for the modern palate. Forget the packaged novelty of the late ’90s; Rocko’s offers customizable, made-to-order ice cream tacos crafted with organic, locally sourced ingredients.
“What’s an ice cream taco? Glad you asked! We take a freshly baked waffle taco shell, stuff it with your favorite ice cream and then dip it into various chocolate or peanut butter dips.”
Rocko’s Ice Cream Tacos operates as a Mountain View-based food truck and caterer, bringing their unique frozen treats to events across the Bay Area. You won’t find a brick-and-mortar store, but keep an eye out for their vibrant truck at popular food gatherings like Off the Grid. The concept is immediately appealing: ice cream, tacos, customization, and a touch of culinary spectacle with liquid nitrogen. Intrigued, I recently experienced Rocko’s catering firsthand at a local event.
The Rocko’s Promise: Quality Ingredients and a Touch of Gimmick
Rocko’s isn’t just about the novelty; they emphasize quality. Their commitment to organic and local ingredients is evident in their sourcing. Dairy comes from Straus Family Creamery and Clover, eggs are local and organic, chocolate is from Oakland’s own TCHO, vanilla from Santa Cruz, flour from San Carlos and Capay Valley, and oil from San Leandro. While they don’t make their ice cream in-house, it’s supplied by Leslie’s Dessert Werks in South San Francisco, known for their quality frozen desserts.
However, while the concept and ingredient sourcing are commendable, the execution, in my experience, fell slightly short of the initial excitement.
 Custom Ice Cream Taco Creation |
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| A custom-made Rocko’s Ice Cream Taco being assembled with various chocolate dips. |
The Customization Experience: Fun to Watch, Less So to Savor?
The process of creating your custom Rocko’s Ice Cream Taco is undeniably part of the appeal. Watching your chosen ice cream flavor nestled in a freshly baked waffle taco shell, then dipped in your choice of chocolate or peanut butter and instantly frozen with liquid nitrogen, is a fun, visual experience. Beyond the tacos, Rocko’s also offers dipped “Ace”-Cream Cake Pops, frozen bananas, and even frozen s’mores tacos, showcasing their inventive approach to frozen desserts. However, the event I attended focused solely on the ice cream tacos.
 Rocko's Ice Cream Taco Food Stand |
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| The setup of the Rocko’s Ice Cream Taco stand, ready to serve customized frozen treats. |
For catering events, Rocko’s provides different setups based on event size. Mid-sized gatherings get a cart, while larger events benefit from the full food truck experience. Smaller events can even opt for pre-packaged goods delivered on dry ice. The event I attended was mid-sized, featuring the cart setup, complete with a generator and liquid nitrogen tank – a slightly quirky but functional sight.
 Rocko's Ice Cream Taco Explanation Signage |
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| Informative signage at the Rocko’s stand explaining the ice cream taco concept. |
The menu at my event was somewhat limited compared to Rocko’s full offerings. We had a choice of four ice cream flavors (Espresso, Mint Chip, Salty Caramel, Peach Ginger) and four dips (Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate, Peanut Butter), with no toppings available. Normally, Rocko’s boasts around a dozen ice cream flavors, including vegan options, the same dips, and a variety of toppings like pretzels, cocoa nibs, nuts, coconut, and toffee, each for a small extra charge. While limited choices simplified the decision-making process, it also meant missing out on the full customization potential.
 Liquid Nitrogen Freezing Process |
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| The dramatic liquid nitrogen dip, instantly freezing the chocolate on the ice cream taco. |
Tasting Notes: Waffle Shell and Dips Shine, Ice Cream Needs Improvement
The highlight of the Rocko’s Ice Cream Taco experience was undoubtedly the liquid nitrogen freezing. After dipping the taco in your chosen liquid chocolate or peanut butter, it’s submerged in liquid nitrogen, causing the coating to solidify almost instantly. It’s a captivating process to witness. Once frozen, the taco is quickly wrapped in parchment paper and handed to you, ready to enjoy.
 Rocko's Ice Cream Taco Packaged |
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| A freshly made Rocko’s Ice Cream Taco, wrapped and ready to be eaten. |
For my taco, I chose the salty caramel ice cream, opting for a trio of dips: milk chocolate (the standard base dip), dark chocolate, and white chocolate. While the white chocolate dip was pleasantly sweet, and the dark chocolate, though from high-quality TCHO, was somewhat unremarkable, the texture of both frozen chocolate coatings was fantastic – incredibly snappy and crisp, a testament to the liquid nitrogen technique.
 Salty Caramel Ice Cream Taco with Multiple Dips |
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| A close-up of a Salty Caramel Rocko’s Ice Cream Taco with milk, dark, and white chocolate dips. |
The waffle taco shell was a standout element. Perfectly balanced in texture – neither too hard nor too soft – and subtly sweet, it surpassed the taco shell of a traditional Choco Taco by a mile. It was undeniably fresh and delicious.
However, the ice cream itself was the weak link. Sourced from Leslie’s Dessert Werks, the salty caramel ice cream was overwhelmingly sweet, lacking any discernible saltiness. More disappointingly, the texture was icy and crystallized, rather than creamy and smooth. This graininess persisted even as the ice cream melted, suggesting it wasn’t simply a result of the refreezing process.
The portion size was reasonable, a 3 1/4″ taco with 1.5 scoops of ice cream, making it a manageable single serving. However, at around $5 for a standard taco (plus extra for toppings and additional dips), the price point feels slightly high for the overall experience, especially considering the ice cream quality.
Final Verdict: Novelty and Potential, But Room for Refinement
Overall, Rocko’s Ice Cream Tacos are a fun and novel treat, offering a unique twist on a classic dessert. The customizable aspect, the liquid nitrogen spectacle, and the quality waffle shell and dips are definite positives. However, the ice cream itself needs improvement to truly elevate this concept from a fun novelty to a truly gourmet experience. Adding toppings for texture and crunch would also enhance the overall enjoyment. If you’re looking for a unique and Instagrammable dessert experience in the Bay Area, Rocko’s Ice Cream Tacos are worth trying, but be aware that the taste might not fully live up to the hype.
