This Valentine’s Day promises to be special with the grand opening of Suck It Up Soda Shop, a new addition to Bakersfield’s beverage scene. Located on Calloway Drive, the shop is already generating excitement with its unique offerings and festive events.
The Calloway Drive establishment, which occupies the former location of Mesa Mexican Grill, will celebrate its opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and additional fun activities starting at noon on Saturday.
Bakersfield’s inaugural dedicated “dirty soda” shop, Suck It Up, opened its doors late last month and has quickly captured the attention of locals, with long drive-thru lines forming at the Riverlakes Galleria shopping center.
Dirty sodas rose to prominence thanks to the Hulu series “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” which showcased these beverages favored by Mormons, many of whom abstain from alcohol and coffee due to religious beliefs.
The shop specializes in soft drink concoctions that can be tailored with creams, flavored syrups, fruit juices, and other mix-ins. Customers can choose from a variety of bases, including products from both Pepsi and Coke, flat or sparkling water, or iced tea.
With over two dozen unique drink creations, including energy and protein drinks, options at Suck It Up include the PCH (Coke, pineapple, peach puree, coconut creamer, and fresh lime), Sunshine State (Pepsi, vanilla creamer, and fresh lemon), Pacific Palisades (Mountain Dew, guava, strawberry puree, coconut creamer, and strawberry bits), and P.O.G. (Sprite, pineapple, guava, fresh orange, and coconut creamer).
Each beverage can also be customized to include diet and zero sugar options.
Base prices range from $2.75 to $5.55, with additional charges for extras like syrups, juices, purees, boba, and creamers.
The shop features 24 classic and 17 sugar-free syrups, along with five fruit options (lemon, lime, orange, strawberry, and mango), coconut and vanilla creamers, and boba (available in strawberry or mango).
For the Valentine’s Day week, Suck It Up is offering two special beverages: the Love Bomb (Coke, white chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla cream) and Pinky Promise (Sprite, huckleberry syrup, and vanilla creamer).
The festivities on Saturday, running from noon to 3 p.m., will include face painting, music from a DJ, and a T-shirt giveaway.
Suck It Up is located at 5523 Calloway Drive. For updates, visit @suckitupsodashop on Instagram or check their Facebook page.
Something to Dish? If you have a tip, question, or recommendation regarding Bakersfield restaurants, trends, or food news, please email thedish@bakersfield.com, and your suggestion may feature in a future column.
Stefani Dias can be reached at 661-395-7488. Follow her on X at @realstefanidias.
Key Takeaways
- Suck It Up Soda Shop is Bakersfield’s first dedicated “dirty soda” establishment.
- The grand opening includes a ribbon-cutting and festivities on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m.
- Customers can customize drinks with a variety of bases, syrups, and mix-ins.
- Special Valentine’s Day drinks will include the Love Bomb and Pinky Promise.
- Prices for drinks range from $2.75 to $5.55, with options for dietary preferences.
FAQ
What are dirty sodas?
Dirty sodas are soft drinks mixed with flavored syrups, creams, and various other ingredients, popularized among certain communities.
Where is Suck It Up Soda Shop located?
The shop is situated at 5523 Calloway Drive, in the former space of Mesa Mexican Grill.
What special activities will occur during the grand opening?
Activities include face painting, music from a DJ, and a T-shirt giveaway.
