Craft Soda: Galco’s Soda Pop Stop is a Fizzy Valhalla

If I were to move away from Los Angeles forever, abandon its surreal night life and oddball attractions, I’d have to take a slice of its culinary delights with me. I’d have a hell of a time choosing, but somewhere on that list would be a little local gem called Galco’s Soda Pop Stop. This unassuming brown building in Highland Park boasts 700 flavors of craft soda, and as an avid customer, I can tell you that’s a conservative estimate.

Soda enthusiasts very well might die of happiness right there, first step through the door. On the right is a wall of commerce awards and community appreciation plaques. Past the register is a sight out of Costco: little forts of cardboard boxes filled with wares, arranged in rows. Except these are filled to the brim with craft soda, and only craft soda. Lemon sodas, cherry, strawberry, all the fruits are of course represented. Of course they have root beer, but sasparilla beer? Maple beer? Birch beer? Ginger beers too, but not the syrupy brand-name concoctions; I’m talking the Jamaican brands that sear like forest fires. Make a Moscow Mule out of that and never look back.