The bOCket list: Balboa Island frozen banana stand

Cross one off my list of Things To Do Before Leaving Orange County. I drove down to Balboa Island today and spent part of my afternoon walking around and shopping.

But most importantly, I finally enjoyed a Balboa Island frozen banana. Legend has it, this dessert, along with the Balboa Bar (vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate), had its start right here in Newport Beach. It was also the inspiration for the Bluth’s Original Frozen Banana Stand on Arrested Development.

Contrary to what I thought, there are actually two famous frozen banana stands on Balboa Island: Dad’s Donuts, and Sugar ‘n Spice, both on the same block on Marine Avenue. I went with Sugar ‘n Spice, since their blue-and-yellow color scheme was closer to the TV series. But I’ll be back for round 2, Dad’s Donuts!

No Michael Cera manning the stand (actually a brick-and-mortar building with a service window) — but there was a kindly old woman explaining that you can get a medium, large, or extra-large (like Starbuck’s, they seem to have done away with their smallest size). The frozen banana itself was delicious. And it’s mostly banana, so it’s gotta be healthy. Right??

The Island itself charmed the hell out of me, with its shops like Our Gang’s General Store (a toy shop with Carl Jung action figures) and Martha’s Bookstore (in a hidden nook shaded by trees, where the owner offers you ginger peach tea when you come in).

Almost makes me want to become one of those rich dermatologists with a yacht in Newport Harbor. Almost.