Crazy Flavors

Quick Bite: Iorio's Gelateria

by M.B. Lewis

posted 8/28/2012

If it’s an August day too hot for pie and if you’ve got a thing for frozen-confection flavors crazy as they come, head around the corner from Grand Traverse on Liberty to Iorio’s Gelateria on William. The Lansing-based family biz has carved a wholesome hipster niche just in time for its first anniversary in Ann Arbor this summer. From the goofy-bright “Ciao!” greeting as you walk in the door, to the huge boot of a bas-relief map of Italy in white plastic on the main wall, to the gleaming case of two dozen tubs of flavors ranging from peach-strawberry-banana sorbetto at one end to “Oberon and orange” gelato at the other, Iorio’s gives you something to smile about. The “bacio” flavor—whole hazelnuts in dark chocolate gelato--is decadently delicious. I also adored the coconut versions of lightly granulated frozen nirvana. I didn’t expect it, but this kinda fun and funky little hideaway provides a welcome change from the ice cream everyday.   

[Originally published in August, 2012.]