New Mexican Dessert and Snack Spot Opens in Birmingham

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new dessert shop called Pinguinitos has opened in Birmingham's Glen Iris neighborhood, offering a variety of traditional Mexican desserts and snacks. Located at 405 Valley Avenue, the shop serves handmade ice cream, paletas (popsicles), aguas frescas, sorbet, and more. In addition to the sweet treats, Pinguinitos also offers savory Mexican street food items like Maruchan preparada (instant ramen with toppings), esquites, elotes, hot dogs, nachos, and other antojitos.

Why it matters

The opening of Pinguinitos adds to the growing diversity of food and dining options in Birmingham's Glen Iris area, catering to residents' interest in authentic global cuisines. As a locally-owned business focused on traditional Mexican specialties, Pinguinitos represents the city's efforts to support small businesses and provide unique culinary experiences.

The details

Pinguinitos is located at 405 Valley Avenue in the Valley Avenue Plaza. The shop offers a wide variety of Mexican desserts and snacks, including handmade ice cream, paletas (popsicles), aguas frescas, sorbet, and Mexican chocolate. On the savory side, the menu features items like Maruchan preparada (instant ramen with toppings), esquites, elotes, hot dogs, nachos, and other antojitos (Mexican street foods). Pinguinitos also provides service in several languages beyond English, including Spanish, Jindi, and Gujarati.

• Pinguinitos opened in late December 2025.