From Quito to Queens — and maybe soon to Patchogue.

A new kind of ice cream shop that’s quickly become all the rage in Ecuador is in the works for downtown Patchogue.

Wen Wen “Leslie” Gao, 36, of Queens, has applied with the village’s planning board to open Bogati — an Ecuadorian-based ice cream parlor chain that serves its ice cream dishes topped with grated cheese — at 12 South Ocean Ave.

First launched in Ecuador in 2018, Bogati Helados Con Queso (ice cream with cheese) now counts more than 200 locations across the country. Gao, who moved to Queens from China at age 14, secured the master franchise rights for New York state and opened the first U.S. Bogati in May 2024 — in Flushing, Queens.

The young entrepreneur has since opened three more locations in the city and now eyes Patchogue for her fifth.

“This ice cream is different,” Gao explained to Greater Long Island. “Our ice cream is sweet and salty — and it comes with cheese on top.

“At first, people are like, ‘What the heck?’ But after they taste it, they say, ‘Oh, it’s good. It’s really good,’” she added.

The “cheesy” topping is what makes Bogati ice cream stand out — and it’s what has drawn hundreds and hundreds of customers to its grand openings.

The grated, typically mild-flavored cheese is generously strung atop scoops of rich, fruit-flavored or chocolate ice cream, creating a surprising and beloved flavor contrast. The combination became a tradition in Ecuador and is catching fire in New York City.

And Gao believes Patchogue is the perfect next stop.

“We did our marketing and found a lot of Ecuadorian people in Patchogue,” she said. “They told us, ‘Do not open in Queens anymore — we are out here in Patchogue. Please come over!’ So we were invited.”

The proposed storefront, just south of Main Street, has sat vacant since a short-lived video game shop closed there. Before that, it was home to Muñeca Arthouse and Patricio Records.

The location’s landlord, Joel Furman — a longtime Patchogue attorney and local property owner — supports the idea and has helped facilitate the application, which goes before the planning board on Tuesday, April 22. Additionally, Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri said he looks forward to learning more about the proposed ice cream shop.

“Patchogue is full of Ecuadorian families,” Gao said. “We are businesspeople, and we want to be where the people are — where we can bring something that people miss from home.”

But Bogati isn’t just for those folks accustomed to its unique blend of flavors. Gao said the shop’s Brooklyn location has shown her that the brand has much wider appeal.

“People from all backgrounds like it and are lining up for it,” she said.

Grand openings and long lines

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Gao opened her first Bogati location last spring in Flushing, celebrating with a festive grand opening in June. She launched her first Corona shop in August, followed by a second Corona location and a Brooklyn store, both of which opened in March.

Affordable option

Gao also promised the new shop will be an affordable option in comparison to the nearby Ben & Jerry’s.

“And it’s something totally different,” she said. “I think it will be a good fit.”

If approved, the Patchogue shop would be the sixth Bogati in the United States. The only other shop not owned or operated by Gao is in Lowell, Massachusetts, which opened on April 3.

Gao said she will attend the planning board’s public hearing regarding the proposed ice cream shop. It is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Village Hall.

A cheesy ice cream timeline

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October 2018 — The franchise, owned by Santiago Castro, opens its first ice cream shop Riobamba, Ecuador.June 2024 — Franchisee Wen Wen “Leslie” Gao opens the first Bogati Helandos con Queso in the United States, in Flushing, Queens.August 2024 — Gao opens a Bogati in Corona.March 2024 — A second Bogati opens in Corona.March 2024 — Gao opens her fourth Bogati, within the small part of Ridgewood that is part of Brooklyn.April 2024 — A Bogati is proposed for downtown Patchogue.

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This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Neighbor News

An annual celebration on 4/22 that raises awareness of the need to protect Earth's natural resources for future generations.

Save The Great South Bay 501(c)3, Local Nonprofit

Celebrating Earth Day with Action: Protecting Our Watershed One Creek at a Time

This Earth Day, Save The Great South Bay invites you to go beyond celebration and take action to protect the natural treasures in your own backyard. Our Creek Defender Program is at the heart of our mission — a grassroots initiative that empowers local communities to restore and steward the 50 creeks that flow into the Great South Bay.

The Bay's health begins upstream. Polluted runoff, litter, and invasive plants degrade these vital waterways, threatening not only marine life but also our way of life on Long Island. Through cleanups, native planting projects, and educational outreach, Creek Defenders work year-round to turn the tide.

This Earth Day, we’re asking you to become a Creek Defender in your own community. Whether it's joining a cleanup, spreading awareness, or simply being more mindful of what goes down your storm drain, your actions matter.

Let’s honor Earth Day by investing in a cleaner, healthier Great South Bay — for today and for generations to come. Together, we can restore our creeks, protect our Bay, and build a more resilient South Shore.

Find out what's happening in Patchoguefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Save The Great South Bay is a local environmental non-profit whose mission is to restore water quality in the Great South Bay for future generations to enjoy. Our Word of the Week initiative aims to make the scientific vocabulary of environmentalism accessible to everyone.

Visit savethegreatsouthbay.org to learn more and get involved.

The clinic is available to all county residents, but the quantity of vaccine is limited and available only while supplies last.

Peggy Spellman Hoey, Patch Staff

BROOKHAVEN, NY — A free rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats, and ferrets will be offered on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter on Horseblock Road in Brookhaven.

The clinic is available to all county residents, but the quantity of vaccine is limited and available only while supplies last.

All dogs must be on leashes and all cats and ferrets must be in carriers.

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system, and is most often seen among wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes, but any mammal can be infected with it.

Pets and livestock can get rabies if they are not vaccinated to protect them against the infection.

Find out what's happening in Patchoguefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

New York State and Suffolk County laws require all dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated against the virus.

Vaccinating pets not only provides protection for them, but also acts as a barrier to keep the rabies virus from spreading between wild animals and people, as three to six percent of the bats that are tested annually are positive for rabies.

The county's Department of Health Services recommends the following precautions to protect your pets and your family from possible exposure to rabies:

To keep bats from getting into buildings, bat-proofing techniques should include:

Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to the Department of Health Services at 631-854-0333 weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Animal bites or contact with wild animals can be reported to the Department at 631-852-4820 outside normal business hours. If possible, try to contain the animal so that it can be tested.

For more information on rabies, follow the links below:

For information about the rabies vaccination clinic, call the Brookhaven Animal Shelter at 631-451-6950 or visit www.brookhavenny.gov/AnimalShelter.