Vecchitto’s Italian Ice

I’ve lived in Milltown for eight months, and somehow JUST found out about this place. Absolutely amazing, and for two dollars you can’t go wrong!

I have never craved Italian ice until I’ve had Vecchitto’s! My favorites so far are coconut and cherry! I only wish it was open longer. Check their Facebook for updated hours!

Almond is our favorite flavor, and we visit as often as possible during the season. The ice is smooth and delicious, no clumps, not gritty. We love that it’s a family-​run business, not a national chain and that they’ll stop to chat in between scoops. Vecchitto’s is a Summertime Must!

I’m an Italian Ice enthusiast (yeah, that’s a real thing lol). As such, I look forward to every opportunity to indulge however I really could have skipped this place.
To start with the no mixing rule sucks. I enjoy a little variety in my scoops and most shops oblige by letting you have different flavors in your order, nope, not here.
Lemon is usually a safe bet so I ordered a small (2 scoops). It wasn’t horrible but it was bland, nothing to write home about. Luckily I only spent 2 bucks on it.
What really ticked my off is that the place was virtually empty (only one customer ahead of me) and I waited around for 15 minutes while the guy behind the counter finished his lengthy conversation with the guy in front of me. Should have left while I had the chance.
Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. In this case I certainly ventured, but didn’t gain.

Anyone that’s a long time resident of Cromwell or Middletown will recommend this place. A staple of after dinner family ice-​cream runs, this place lives up to it’s lauded reputation. Having been around for decades, Vechhitto’s unassuming appearance and sparse interior betrays the quality of their product. I’ve returned on numerous occassions to get the classical pistachio gelato to go, having never been disappointed by both the delicious flavor or the small-​town family-​owned friendly personality and service.

I’ve been going here for at least 25 years now, with my dad starting me off very young. I even remember the original owner who has since passed away long time now. I still haven’t found an Italian ice better than this! Best thing about summer!

Vecchitto’s is the real deal — Dekoven Drive in Middletown (a short walk from my home) and Hartford Avenue in Old Lyme (a short walk from the beach).
They’ve been doing this for years — generations of the family — and they have it down: fantastic Italian ice, usually in about half a dozen flavors, and gelati (which I’ve never had, because I’ve never gotten past the ice).
For me recently, summer begins with an almond ice — and the first year I discovered Vecchitto’s, that was all I had. It is sublime. This year, though, I am branching out into other flavors, and everything I have tried is really good. I still think the almond wins, but I grew up on almond candy, so that’s not surprising.
Stop by when you’re looking for a taste of a great frozen confection (or a container to take home, or to bring to a friend as a gift), and some friendly conversation (but don’t hold them up, because there are usually people behind you, waiting their turn).

I can’t go quite as crazy as some have, but this is a nice dessert option, especially if you only got $ 2 in your pocket.
Indeed, that amount of money gets you a sizable, hand-​held, refreshing dessert. But in all honesty, I’d rather have the Marino’s Italian ice from the grocery store.
Sorry, but my favorite flavor is cherry, and their cherry was very medicine-​y upon tasting it. So I actually had the chocolate instead, and while generally pleasant, I felt like I was eating frozen watered-​down Nestle Quik. For $ 2 though, hard to complain.
I do give them credit for being a Middletown institution, the great prices, and the friendly people. But to me, the product makes this a local legend, not a destination.

With all the legendary status in Middletown and love on Unilocal,it was only natural to go to Vecchitto’s after a filling dinner at Mondo’s.
Luckily, it was not that crowded for a Friday evening, so I was not part of a game of bumper cars in the parking lot.
Minus twostars because you cannot do flavor mixing. Boo to that! The chocolate plus cherry ice would be one cherry bomb of a flavor explosion.

Diamond in the ruff! I’ve been driving by twice a day for the past four years. Everyday, I say to myself, «You have to go there, do it today!» Then winter happens & I’m filled regret until next season. Wow, delicious flavors and wonderful consistency, very old school Ice & Gelato.

Simple basic place, no frills… but who cares if you’re just going in and paying only $ 2 for 2 scoops of the best Italian ice I’ve had yet!
Parking is tricky, but it’s not enough to lose a star for ;)
Hours are 12−930pm

Wow! This is Italian Ice at it’s finest! Authentic, delicious, and a great price?! You betcha! Nostalgia to the max in the look and feel of the storefront. This is creamy Italian ice. Delicious and teasing in texture; it delights the mouth. Mouth feel alone is worlds better than other Italian Ice I’ve sampled. Parking can be tough but there is plenty nearby and with the warm weather I know I can definitely use a little bit of a walk (or marathon!) to make this less of a guilty pleasure!
Thank you Vecchitto’s for making a great product! It’s so nice to see a business that is steeped in history and family carrying on a wonderful tradition and not sacrificing quality.

I am so grateful to live so close to this Summertime Family Favorite! The best Italian ice in a nostalgic atmosphere that transports you back in time! Nothing better than having the Coconut Flavored Ice — oh my stars!!! It’s like closing your eyes and being in the Caribbean!

Vecchitto’s is amazing. No where else in the state can you get summer happiness in a cup for under $ 2 (except their other location and their trucks)! It’s a no muss no fuss simple place to grab a wonderful treat. It’s creamy and delicious — every year we can’t wait for it to open and are sad to see it close for the season.
To anyone that thinks the flavors are limited — They change daily. You want different flavors — go back another day.
If grew up with a more granular texture of Italian ice you probably grew up with the garbage from the freezer section of your local grocery store. Italian ice is supposed to be smooth and Vecchitto’s is PERFECT!
If you don’t like the parking just park at the paint place on the corner that’s never open and walk.
If you think the paper cups are flimsy you clearly don’t know they are vital to the «squish and roll» technique that allows you to get every last delicious drop.
I’m so sorry if you didn’t enjoy Vecchitto’s, but that’s more for the rest of us!!!
About to go and grab a couple pints to stock up for the long winter — to hold us over until Memorial Day weekend next year when the lights come back on and the ice is scooped again!!! Maybe they’ll even open a couple weeks early like they did this year!!! :)

The mango and watermelon were fantastic. It’s not fake or overly sweet. The texture is good too. It’s probably the best I’ve had on the east coat.(Joe’s Italian Ice in LA takes the crown though.) Also, this is my first time here and I learned the paper cups are a throwback. I appreciate that little piece of history. I’ll be stopping by on future trips through the area.

I have been coming here most of my life and I must say that it is the best italian ice I have ever had. The Lemon & Lemon Lime are my favorites. The only bad thing about this place is the lack of parking spaces.

Simple. Good location. Great Italian ice. Amazing gelato. And a supreme price to boot! Gotta head on over the next time you need a refreshing pick-​up on those dogs days of summer

Is that all there is, is that all there is?
If that’s all there is my friends, then let’s keep dancing
Let’s break out the booze and have a ball
If that’s all there is…
I’ve had Vecchitto’s bookmarked for a long time and finally walked in the door today.
Frankly, I expected more and walked away disappointed. Let me explain.
1) The flavors were kind of limited — lemon, lemon-​lime, watermelon, raspberry, blue raspberry, almond and banana. Just seven flavors and 2 of the seven were close relatives of two others. Oh, and you can’t mix flavors — a sign on the flavor board tells you that flat out.
2) I wasn’t a fan of the texture. I grew up on the slightly more granular texture of Italian ice. This one was smooth and creamy (almost like a custard). I realize this is a matter of personal preference, but I didn’t care for it.
3) The ices –I had the watermelon and just didn’t notice a lot of flavor. It was cold and creamy but had a blandish neutral kind of taste. My wife’s almond was pretty good though.
4) The parking is abysmal.
5) The paper cups the ices came in were even worse. They were so thin and flimsy that mine ruptured at the bottom ¾ of the way through, effectively drenching my shirt with watermelon ices. Ten seconds later, my son’s ices cup did the same thing, showering him in a deluge of almond ices.
I can finally cross my curiosity about this place off my list.
So for all these reasons I have to say this is 2-​stars. As a first timer, my review has no nostalgia factor.
I have definitely experienced better with respect to the ices and the cups they are sold in.

I’ve been going to Vecchitto’s since I was a tot. Im 27 now and the taste is still the same! Love it! Especially the watermelon ice! Vecchitto’s is a staple in Middletown summer living!

Stopped by Vecchito’s yesterday on their opening day after the Curry UYE and had a deliciously refreshing almond Italian ice. smooth, creamy, and almondy goodness — all at a reasonable price. The biggest problem is picking a flavor.
good stuff, as usual.