Julian Rocha/The Hofstra Chronicle

When my roommate first told me about Manny’s Sweet Treats, I was a bit skeptical, thinking he was exaggerating his description of the menu and the decor of the restaurant. However, I was mistaken. From the moment I walked through the door, bright neon lights and blasting music caught me by surprise, and smells of baked goods radiated from the kitchen in the rear.

Dessert restaurant menus tend to fit within a certain archetype, such as the traditional bakery or ice cream shop, but Manny’s is a blend of them all. Freshly baked cookies, heaping scoops of ice cream and perfectly warm donuts are some of the more traditional items on the menu, but the rest of the menu is everything but normal. Along the counter, you can catch a sneak peek at some of the containers the food and drinks come in, such as potion bottles and tiny bathtubs, fitting the eccentric theme of the restaurant.

More often than not, I don’t have a sweet tooth, but the menu was simply irresistible. After skimming through it and exchanging banter with the friendly cashier, I settled on the churro cinnamon waffle. I mistakenly thought it would just be a waffle with a light dusting of cinnamon, perhaps with a drizzle of syrup, but I was pleasantly surprised. The wait for the food only took around 15 minutes, and when it arrived, my jaw dropped.

When the doors of the kitchen swung open as my friends and I waited for our food, all 12 or so patrons in the restaurant turned their heads with awe. Expecting to see a local celebrity, I was wrong but not at all disappointed.

The milkshake that the employee set down on one of the tables looked like something you would see in a cartoon, with a packet of Pop Rocks and an entire Pop Tart jutting out the top of the whipped cream.

The churro cinnamon waffle was by far the most complex dessert I have ever had. Sure, each of the components on their own, such as a plain waffle, a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a diced-up churro aren’t all that abstract, but altogether, the dessert was enough to stand on its own as a meal. The waffle was far more massive than a typical one, each bite neatly topped with a cinnamon spread. As stated in the name of the item, fresh churro bites adorned the waffle, adding yet another texture to an already loaded plate.

There’s no doubt that the restaurant makes an effort to stand out online, with over 20,000 Instagram followers who view daily posts of its offerings and carefully curated decorations. One might go as far as to call it “stunt food,” with trendy artwork adorning the walls and over the top presentation, but not necessarily the greatest food ever. However, there are very few places on Long Island to try desserts that look like they’re from a cartoon, and it is always nice to explore the local food scene.

Manny’s Sweet Treats is one of the most exciting dining experiences I have ever had. With a unique and broad menu and a vibrant atmosphere, very few restaurants are as charming or Instagram-able. Make no mistake, if you’re looking for a truly gourmet dish, you might be better off elsewhere. If you’re looking for a great photo-op and a filling dessert, however, this is the place for you. Only a short drive from campus, it is a great place to stop by and enjoy the dessert of your choice!