I call it Pop damnit: Galco's Old World Grocery

Girls think my Chicago 'pop' in lieu of saying 'soda' is cute. That's cool, too bad I don't drink pop anyway. I hate it! It tastes so nasty. That was until I visited Galco's Old World Grocery in Highland Park, otherwise known as the Soda Pop Stop on the web.

The difference in the soda pop here is the use of real sugar and real flavors. This place has over 500 kinds of sodas you ain't finding at Ralphs and Vons or even Whole Foods.

From old school soda pops to eccentric beers, this is the true adult kid in a candy store experience. Twenty bucks and we took home a sample of soda pops found as a kid (Green River from Chicago for example) to new discoveries (Plantation Style Mint Julep).

If you have the time, the best part of Galco's is meeting the owner. He's a true salesman, so lend him your ear and let him tell you the history of soda, his store and how he found all these specialty brands -- whether it be a London supplier or Mexican Coca-Cola bottlers. Let him recommend good ones based on where grew up. Let him know what flavors you like and you'll get them.

This stuff tastes damn good.

Galco's Old World Grocery
5702 York Boulevard,
Los Angeles, California 90042

Koga at Blogging.LA visited last year.