Stella Jean’s Ice Cream

Inventive flavors shaped by friendship, travel, and culinary curiosity

“A scoop can tell a story when its flavor carries a memory of home.”

Meet the People Behind the Restaurant

Husband-and-husband founders Gan Suebsarakham and Steven Torres created Pop Pie Co. in 2016 and launched Stella Jean’s in 2018. Gan, a Thai-born chef with culinary training and a business background, leads research, development, and flavor creation. Steven brings operational and business leadership. The company name honors Stella Jean, a beloved rescue dog connected to one of their mentors.

The Story Behind the Dream

Stella Jean’s pairs the nostalgic pleasure of ice cream with flavors shaped by culture and travel. Familiar choices sit beside combinations such as mango sticky rice and guava cream cheese, inviting guests to taste something personal and unexpected. The Carlsbad shop extends the founders’ Sweet & Savory Collective into the Village’s growing dessert scene.

Signature Offerings

• Mango sticky rice and other globally inspired flavors
• Guava cream cheese and seasonal creations
• Small-batch scoops, pints, and dairy-free selections when available

Behind the Scenes

Gan treats flavor development as culinary storytelling, balancing texture, sweetness, acidity, spice, and recognizable ingredients. Steven’s operational work gives those creative ideas a consistent home.

Why We Love Them

Stella Jean’s shows how a dessert shop can celebrate identity and curiosity. Every unusual flavor becomes an invitation to begin a conversation.

Cherimarie’s Reflection

I love introducing guests to a flavor they might not choose on their own. One surprising scoop can open the door to a story about culture, travel, and the people who created it.