Nestled away in a tiny shopping center, lies a hidden gem. If refreshing summer flavors or a piece of New York City are what you are craving, then you cannot miss a visit to Cugine’s Italian Ice, in Ocala, Florida. Owners, Jason and Kimberly, opened this shop full of New York delicacies about nine months ago. Everything in their shop from Italian Ice to Cannoli and New York Style Hot Pretzels are all imported from the Big Apple. Nothing reproduced here; it is all the real deal.
I have frequented this shop several times, looking for a sweet treat without the guilt. Every flavor I have tried has been refreshing, not sickly sweet, like many other Italian Ice places. Long gone are the days of Italian Ice served in tiny paper cups, so hard that you have to scrape every little morsel out. Cugine’s Italian Ice, is soft, fluffy and very spoon-able. They have the classic flavors like lemon, rainbow and cherry. But also inventive flavors like sour apple, root beer float and cotton candy. My favorites have been mango, coconut and a Cugine’s specialty, Creamalatta. Creamalatta is Italian Ice with a little added cream and sliced almonds. It is delicious and creamy with a subtle almond backdrop. They also have Spumoni, one of my childhood favorites. It is Pistachio and Rum ice cream blended with sliced cherries and almonds covered in hardened chocolate. Cugine’s also offers several flavors of ice cream as well.
If you are after New York specialties, Cugine’s offers select Italian cookies, like Biscotti, Pignoli and Pizzelles. Jason told us that they constantly are selling out of the Lintzer Tarts. With your cookie you can enjoy an espresso or cappuccino or try something cold, like an Egg Cream or Italian Soda. You will also get a taste of home chatting with Jason and Kimberly who fit the bill with their New York accents!
If you are looking for something more substantial you can try a Nathan’s Brand Hot Dog or a Potato Knish, both New York specialties. There is just so much packed away in this specialty shop, it is hard to describe all of the options!
So whether you are a New Yorker, Floridian or otherwise, you will love the refreshing taste of Cugine’s Italian Ice!
8585 SW Hwy 200, #3
Steeplechase Plaza
Ocala, Florida
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