A Houston food truck owner is getting a chance to show global visitors about what makes his Mexican popsicles stand out.
HOUSTON — Houston’s FIFA Fan Festival has drawn thousands of soccer fans from around the world, all eager to celebrate the World Cup atmosphere in the city.
But beyond the matches and fan excitement, local vendors are also getting a chance to shine.
One of them is Celso Trejo, AKA “El Paleta Patron.” He’s the owner and founder of Hot Rod Pops, a Houston-based Mexican popsicle business serving handcrafted paletas at Fan Festival.
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Trejo, a Houston east side native, has become a popular stop for fans looking to cool off in the Texas heat.
“Come and get your ice cold pops… we’re the best in Tejas!” Trejo shouted from his food truck as fans lined up nearby.
Trejo said his gourmet Mexican popsicles, known as paletas, are made with simple ingredients.
“It’s just straight fruit, Mexican cane sugar and water, that’s it,” he said.
What makes Hot Rod Pops stand out goes beyond the frozen treats.
Trejo said much of the business — including the custom bikes, push carts and even the food truck — was built by hand.
“We’ve been making them and selling them from our custom built bikes and push carts, I build those all myself, and what you’re standing in right now is a bus I built in the driveway,” Trejo said.
His passion for building started in childhood.
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Trejo said his father taught him how to work on cars and flip vehicles, a skillset that eventually shaped his business.
“I’ve always worked on cars as a kid and my dad would take me to the auction teach me how to flip cars and work on ‘em and now I’m flipping popsicles,” he said.
That automotive influence is reflected throughout the brand.
From the vintage hot rod-inspired truck to mechanic-style uniforms and accessories, Trejo said the business pays homage to the classic car culture he grew up around.
Trejo said he was thrilled when World Cup organizers approached him about becoming a vendor at Fan Festival.
“Super excited because I knew this was it, there’s no bigger event on the planet in the world than World Cup,” he said.
He said organizers reached out less than a year ago, and since then, business has taken off.
Trejo said Hot Rod Pops has been selling around 2,000 popsicles per day during Fan Fest.
He said interacting with fans from around the world has been one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
“They come here expecting to see American stuff and American vibes, and the vintage vibes we provide they love it,” Trejo said.
For Trejo, being part of Houston’s World Cup moment is something he does not take for granted.
“The World Cup, I mean to be in Houston is a once in a lifetime thing and I get to be a part of it,” he said.