Italian Ice, DiCosmo's Style
DiCosmo’s, the beloved family-owned Italian ice shop in Elizabeth for over 100years, will open a second location this spring in Metuchen. After four generations of making delicious ice, the company’s new outpost will be operated by Eileen O’Connor, great-granddaughter of the founders.
Giovanni and Katerina DiCosmo, Italian immigrants to the U.S., opened their corner store in Elizabeth in 1915; they sold everything from drinks to cigarettes. They began making and selling granita, a traditional Italian frozen dessert made with lemon and sugar. As other businesses in the area sold a version of this treat, they took steps to ensure that theirs was in it for the long haul, adding more flavors like orange and orange pineapple as time went on.
Eventually, Giovanni and Katerina’s son Alfred and his wife, Agnes, took over the shop. Their six children spent every summer learning and working at the family business. As the community around DiCosmo’s developed and grew, so did the business. The arrival of Latin American and Hispanic immigrants to the area brought flavors familiar to their cultures, like mango and guava, to the DiCosmo’s menu.
What’s the secret to this delicious treat? It’s all natural, made from fruit and fruit juices with no syrups. Every batch is small, handmade one at a time to ensure consistent flavor and texture. According to Eileen, texture is key. Making batches throughout the day and storing them at the correct temperature ensures the perfect consistency.
Eileen and her husband plan to open the Metuchen shop in May. They await a gelato dipping cabinet being shipped from Italy to keep the texture and taste the same as the original ice that was made in wooden barrels. The new location will be a walk-in seasonal shop, allowing DiCosmo’s Metuchen to stay open and serving ice, even in the rain.
And lest fans of the original shop have concerns, matriarch Nancy DiCosmo offered reassurance when she joyfully announced the news about her eldest daughter and son-in-law’s venture on Facebook in February. “We will still be right here in Elizabeth to celebrate our 106th year.”
DiCosmo’s Italian Ice
714 Fourth Ave. Elizabeth
20 New St. Metuchen (opening Spring 2021)
dicosmos.com
