Bogati looks to bring its iconic Ecuadorian cheese ice cream to Patchogue

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.