Imagine you’re lying on the beach in Venice when suddenly your sweet tooth strikes. Bread pudding is probably not the refreshing treat that first comes to mind.

Schulzies Bread Pudding will convince you otherwise.

Located just steps away from the sand, Schulzies is a great alternative to the typical beach fare offered by the plethora of eateries that line the Venice boardwalk.

What’s perhaps most unique about the bread pudding at Schulzies is that it is served cold. Owner Sarah Schulz believes the pudding flavor is more distinct when chilled.

Patrons may request to have their pudding heated up if they prefer it warm, though.

Serving over 108 different flavors of bread pudding out of a walk-up window, Schulzies offers a rotating menu of ten daily flavor profiles, in addition to coffee, tea and espresso beverages.

Forever Fig and Mascarpone, Passion Fruit Pizzazz and The Essential Earl Grey are just some of the more unique flavor combinations offered. But traditional folks will be pleased to know that the classic bread pudding flavor is available as well, in all its brown sugar, cinnamon and raisin glory.

The S’more for Me! pudding flavor was a true standout … served warm, just the way a s’more should be. Chocolate and marshmallow oozed out of the gooey center, while the crust on top flaked apart into a golden buttery goodness. The addition of raisins added just the right amount of authenticity for a real bread pudding taste.

Prices are reasonable, with the pudding available in either a single scoop for $3.50 or a double scoop for $5.50.

And the portions are similar to what you would get at most ice cream joints.

While the marquis proudly boasts Blue Bottle Coffee, the iced mocha was not particularly exceptional, as the majority of chocolate remained unblended at the bottom of the cup.

The New Orleans iced coffee, on the other hand, was a refreshing complement, with its strong java flavor balancing out the sweetness of the pudding.

The service at Schulzies was friendly, albeit not the fastest. A two-drink coffee order yielded a more-than 10-minute wait, with only one other customer waiting. But that’s nothing compared to most Starbucks and Coffee Bean wait times.

Schulzies strives to be both green and community friendly by buying local organic ingredients, often from the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market,  and using recycled biodegradable packaging, according to its website.

Venice Beach is famous for its multitude of people watching opportunities, and that’s exactly what you’ll get sitting on the patio at Schulzies – there’s no shortage of entertainment in watching pedestrians and bikers go by, or say, for instance, a guy in a top hat playing electric guitar while rollerblading.

Many of the tables have umbrellas to shield patrons from the sun, but most of the people I saw seemed to prefer sunbathing while they indulged in their pudding treats.

The next time you find yourself in the 90291 with a hankering for something sweet, you can rest assured that ice cream is no longer your only option. So grab your beach towels and head on down to Schulzies for a refreshing scoop of bread pudding.