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Sugar 'n Spice - The Original Frozen Banana Since 1945

Sugar 'n Spice - The Original Frozen Banana Since 1945 Sugar 'n Spice, Balboa Island is a beloved dessert shop, caterer, and dessert restaurant with a rich history spanning over 75 years. Originally opened as Dot & Bob's Candy Shop in the 1940s, it was later renamed Sugar 'n Spice and became famous for its frozen bananas and signature creation, the Balboa Bar. Customers can watch as their bananas are dipped in melted chocolate and rolled in a variety of delectable toppings like chopped peanuts and rainbow sprinkles. With its nostalgic charm and delicious treats, Sugar 'n Spice continues to delight locals and visitors alike.
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Recent social media posts

06/03/2026

Every frozen banana is hand-dipped, every Balboa Bar is made with care, and every customer is treated like family.
This is why people fly across the country to visit Sugar ’n Spice. 🍌🍦
Thank you for being part of our story for over 80 years.

05/31/2026

The original frozen banana.

05/30/2026

Seemed like a good deal…🤪

05/28/2026
05/27/2026

🍌🍫 Frozen Banana dipped in chocolate, coated with Oreo crumbs, then finished with rich salted caramel drizzle.
Sweet. Crunchy. Salty. Dangerous combo. 😮‍💨

Today, we proudly honor and thank all veterans for their service, sacrifice, and dedication to our country. 🇺🇸As a small...
05/25/2026

Today, we proudly honor and thank all veterans for their service, sacrifice, and dedication to our country. 🇺🇸
As a small token of our appreciation, veterans, please enjoy a treat on us today. 🍦🍌

Home of the free because of the brave. ❤️🤍💙

05/24/2026

A little piece of Balboa Island history. 🍌
1945 — and yes, that banana sign was us.
Back when the island looked like this, frozen bananas were already part of the story.
Right next to the old church, serving visitors and locals long before social media, trends, or tourism as we know it today.

Some things change. Some traditions stay.
Thank you for keeping the story alive with us. ✨

05/22/2026

Always bananas in the banana stand

05/19/2026

Since 1945, one thing has never changed here: consistency.

05/16/2026

Well…

05/15/2026

No tea for you then

Fun facts about Arrested Development you’ll love!
05/14/2026

Fun facts about Arrested Development you’ll love!

Fun facts about Arrested Development you’ll love!
05/14/2026

Fun facts about Arrested Development you’ll love!

05/12/2026

customer told us:

“We keep coming back because of the consistency, the honesty, the respect, and the care you put into every dip. We can feel it.”

That’s the simple kind of message that reminds us why we do what we do.

At the end of the day, real care is something people can feel, not just something you say.

Thank you for reminding us to keep standing for the truth and doing better every day. 💙

05/11/2026

Mother’s Day got a little crazy at Sugar ‘n Spice. Thank you all for the love, patience, and support today. Sorry if things felt a little overwhelming at times… we promise it all came from a real and heartfelt place. ❤️

Now the real question…

Do fathers bring this same energy for Father’s Day weekend too? 👀

Because fathers deserve some love (and frozen bananas) too lol.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms out there 💐Thank you for the love, strength, sacrifices, and magic you bring ...
05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms out there 💐Thank you for the love, strength, sacrifices, and magic you bring into everyday life. From early mornings to late nights, from warm hugs to life lessons , moms truly make the world sweeter.

Today we celebrate you 🤍Wishing every mother a beautiful day filled with love, laughter, and maybe a little extra dessert 🍦✨

05/09/2026

✨Fresh waffle cones, made daily and you can smell them the moment you walk in 🤤🍦We think great ice cream deserves more than an ordinary cone 🍦

05/07/2026

Dear customers,
I tried bringing Taco Ice Cream to real life at Sugar ‘n Spice… but after my employees saw the final result, they voted to fire me on the spot. 🌮🍦💀

So I guess … no Taco Ice Cream launched.
We apologize for the emotional damage. 😔

05/05/2026

POV: You ordered Balboa Bars for your party…
and we show up like this. 🍌✨

05/03/2026

Sugar ‘n Spice Catering - bringing our iconic frozen bananas and sweet treats straight to your party. From birthdays to weddings to corporate events, we bring the full experience (and yes… the line everyone loves 😉).

Let us make your celebration a little sweeter.
📩 DM us to book 🍦

05/02/2026

Butterscotch dipped in peanuts and chocolate sprinkles — sweet, crunchy, and old-school delicious. 💛🍫🥜

T-shirts are back in stock 👕🔥And this time… more colors, more ways to match your vibe.Come grab yours, plus our new hats...
04/30/2026

T-shirts are back in stock 👕🔥
And this time… more colors, more ways to match your vibe.

Come grab yours, plus our new hats and tote bags to complete the look. 🧢👜
Stop by before your favorite color disappears 😉

04/30/2026

You don’t have to wait for the rain to see a rainbow 🌈
At Sugar ‘n Spice, you can get one anytime you want.

04/26/2026

Have you tried the Special Ice Cream Sandwich from Sugar ‘n Spice? 🍪✨

Soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies filled with creamy vanilla ice cream, then rolled in crunchy peanuts.

Simple. Classic. So good. 💛

Address

310 Marine Avenue
Newport Beach, CA
92662

To get to Marine Avenue in Newport Beach, you have a couple of options for public transport and driving/parking:

Public Transport:
1. From the nearest airport (John Wayne Airport), take the OC Bus Route 76 towards Fashion Island. Get off at the Fashion Island Transit Center.
2. Walk to the nearby bus stop on San Joaquin Hills Rd & Avocado Ave and take the OC Bus Route 1 towards Balboa Peninsula. Get off at Balboa Blvd & Jamboree Rd.
3. From there, walk south on Balboa Blvd until you reach Marine Avenue.

Driving/Parking:
1. If you're coming from John Wayne Airport, head southeast on JWA Roadway and continue onto Campus Dr.
2. Turn left onto Bristol St N, then right onto Jamboree Rd.
3. Continue on Jamboree Rd until you reach Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).
4. Turn left onto PCH and continue until you reach Marine Avenue.
5. Look for available street parking along Marine Avenue or nearby side streets.

Please note that these directions are general instructions to get to Marine Avenue in Newport Beach and do not specifically mention Sugar 'n Spice, Balboa Island as requested.

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 10pm
Tuesday 10am - 10pm
Wednesday 10am - 10pm
Thursday 10am - 10pm
Friday 10am - 10pm
Saturday 10am - 10pm
Sunday 10am - 10pm

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What people say

Sugar 'n Spice, Balboa Island is a dessert shop, caterer, and dessert restaurant that has been delighting customers for over 75 years. Located on Balboa Island in Newport Beach, this establishment has become a beloved tradition for locals and visitors alike.

The story behind Sugar 'n Spice is both charming and delicious. It all began with Bob and Dorothy Cook, who opened Dot & Bob's Candy Shop in the 1940s. One day, their son Don accidentally put some bananas in the freezer instead of the refrigerator. Rather than letting them go to waste, Bob had the brilliant idea to dip them in fudge. This happy accident led to the creation of their famous frozen bananas.

In 1945, Dot & Bob's Candy Shop was sold and became Sugar 'n Spice. Alongside their frozen bananas, they introduced another iconic treat - the Balboa Bar. This delectable dessert consisted of blocks of vanilla ice cream with a tongue depressor wedged inside, dipped in melted chocolate, and covered with various toppings like chopped peanuts, crumbled butter brickle, rainbow sprinkles, or chocolate sprinkles (jimmies).

The legacy of Sugar 'n Spice continued through the years with dedicated employees like Brad Schultz, who worked at the shop during the 1960s when Bob Fitch owned it. Each week, crates of bananas would be delivered to the back alley and meticulously sorted by size. The bananas were then peeled, stuck with a stick, and frozen for 24 hours. Customers could watch as their chosen banana was dipped into a vat of melted milk chocolate before being rolled in their preferred toppings.

In 1995, Helen Connolly took over ownership of Sugar 'n Spice from a woman named Bet. Under her guidance, this beloved establishment has continued to thrive and bring joy to countless customers.

Sugar 'n Spice offers more than just frozen bananas and Balboa Bars; they also serve a wide variety of mouthwatering desserts. From creamy milkshakes to decadent sundaes, there is something to satisfy every sweet tooth. Their commitment to quality and tradition is evident in every bite.

Whether you're a longtime fan or a first-time visitor, Sugar 'n Spice, Balboa Island is sure to leave you with a smile on your face and a satisfied craving for their delectable treats. Celebrate the tradition and indulge in the sweet delights that have made this dessert shop an iconic destination in Newport Beach.

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