“The Flan Man”

His real name is Luis Raul Gonzalez, but to most of us he is simply “The Flan Man.” Known for his easy smile, genteel disposition and a cheerful “Muy buenas tardes!,” The Flan Man is a fixture at Playa Norte and can be spotted any day of the week with his trusty five-gallon bucket filled with cups of delicious, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth flan, made with love at home by his wife, Lupita. With a flourish and a bow, he’ll remove the cover from his platter and reveal to you one simple but perfect flan, cascading with caramel. Who can resist? The only problem is choosing which flavor: vanilla, pecan, cream cheese, Kaluha, or coconut. Heck, at $15 pesos each, try ‘em all. Once you’ve made your selection, he’ll uncup your personal flan onto a plate and provide napkins and a spoon. This is a seriously civilized way to eat dessert on the beach. But we would love the Flan Man even if he didn't come bearing creamy perfection in a cup, because he loves us - even when we don’t succumb to temptation. It’s The Flan Man’s exuberant warmth that makes him the Best Local Personality of 2010. – Jennifer Swarts