Cecilie’s Gourmet Italian Ices (Coral Springs)
***** Cecilie’s Gourmet Italian Ices, 19726 Wiles Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33076, (954) 753-2727.
Let me start by saying, that one of Jeff Eats favorite “desserts” is (or is it- are?) Italian Ices. I’ve been hooked on the stuff, since my Brooklyn days, when I would get a large cup ($.10) at the pizza joints in my neighborhood—1 scoop cherry/1 scoop lemon. Not sure when the “hooking” first took hold, but I do have a black & white photo of me-holding a squeeze cup of ices in the Summer of 1953.
Anyway…
I’m really pissed at myself, because “big ears” Jeff Eats didn’t hear about Cecilie’s Gourmet Italian Ices until yesterday afternoon. Amazingly, this joint has been around for something like 20 years.
Cecilie’s is located in the “ultimate” bombed-out South Florida shopping strip center. When you go there, get directions first, because the store is a real hole in the wall and give or take 1-or 2 other stores you’d never-ever think of going to this center. This center is so decrepit, that Cecille’s can’t run a a simple soft-serve yogurt/ice cream machine–because there isn’t enough electrical power running to the store.
Despite the aforesaid…
Cecilie’s makes some of the most delicious Italian Ices that Jeff Eats has ever eaten. ALL OF THE ICES ARE MADE IN THE BACK OF THE STORE. The joint has 48 flavors, four of which are sugar free (Mrs. Jeff Eats appreciated that). In speaking with Evan the owner, every day (give or take) he rotates 4 flavors in and out of the lineup…24 of the flavors are cream ices and 24 are water ices.
Let me make this one short and sweet (pun intended)…
I “sampled” 12 different flavors— cherry, pistachio, oreo cookies, jelly roll chocolate, coconut, lemon, peanut butter, cotton candy, carrot cake, honeydew, chocolate mint chip, birthday cake. Do you know what a “pig in sh@t” is? Well Jeff Eats was. Cecilie’s makes some of the best ices I’ve ever had. Just so you know, during the 1/2 hour or so Jeff Eats was there (starting at 3:30pm) at least 20 people came and went and everyone of them “tried” all kinds of ices before settling-in with a final purchase. Figure a small cup is gonna run you- 3 bucks.
A bit more “color”…the owner Evan, is about 44 years old–born in Brooklyn and raised in Philly. He opened this store 20 years ago and makes all of the ices all-by-himself. This is what Jeff Eats calls a one-man-show…Cecilie’s is open Monday 3pm-10pm, Tuesday-Thursday 1pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 1pm-11pm, Sunday 1pm-9pm…Evan is the sole counter person Monday-Saturday, he takes Sunday-off when he has a couple of young ladies run the store. By the way, Cecilie’s has a couple of tables inside and 1 table outside so if you want–you can hang-out.
Like I said a few seconds ago, I can’t believe that I “missed out” on 20 years of Cecilie’s…
Trust Jeff Eats on this one, This joint’s Italian Ices are about as good as it gets.
Found this one about 6 years ago.
Fantastic selection of flavors.
The owner lets you try all the flavors you want.
My favorite is the carrot cake.
Jeff,
Once again you prove that you’ll go anywhere to scout out great joints.
I live 5 minutes away and get there every week or so.
They have a huge selection and a lot of ices you don’t find elsewhere.
Can’t beat the cherry water ice with the huge chunks of cherries in it.
Evan is the bomb! His Icees got me through my pregnancy and has been a favorite dessert for my whole family for 18 years. Birthday cake is my staple icee, but all the flavors are great to try. I bring Icees as the snack after the kids baseball games and for bbq’s (they’re so yummy with floaters). You’ve been losing out by not knowing about Cecile’s…welcome to a dessert heaven.
Jeff
Went this afternoon.
Pistachio and cherry combo.
You are right, in a strip shall we say which doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic.
My husband and I look forward to our Cecilie’s fix whenever we get to south Florida. Without a doubt it is the very best Italian ices that we have ever eaten and a must for every trip.
Been going there for years. Best ices going.
Lemon Ice King of Corona and Baldi’s Italian Bakery . What a combo.
I’ve been going there since he was at the original Sample road location. Next to the Lemon Ice King of Corona these are the best ices around. He usually makes charoset ices for Passover and it is amazing.
I was there yesterday.
Loved every flavor I tasted except the charoset one you mentioned. I tasted loads of flavors and then settled for jelly roll/chocolate as my pick.
Jeff
Tried to night.
Maybe the best lemon Italian Ices I’ve eaten.
Also loved the vanilla chip.
Great flavor choices.
Had a small 1scoop of cherry and 1scoop of death by chocolate. Delicious.
Big fan of Italian ices. My favorites date back to my kid days in Queens in the 50s. Nothing beats a lemon ice and the one I had at Cecilie’s was outstanding.
I love Cecilie’s think the flavors are oustanding, but could they clean the place a bit better??
The lemon is incredible.
Some of the most delicious ices that Ive ever eaten. You guys got to try this joint.
Jeff
Huge fan of Italian ices. Grew up on them starting in the late 50s.
Tried this joint’s lemon and cherry bordeaux and loved them.
Had rice pudding with pistachio. Terrific.
jeff, been going there for years. their ices are the best.
since you mentioned it my wife and I have been there 4 times.
Love this little hole in the wall. Amazing flavors.
The lemon ice is fabulous.
Great little place.
Jeff,
This has to be one of your best picks.
Terrific ices.
All kinds of unique flavors.
Was there this pm
Had Heath bar/cappuccino it was delicious.
They have great flavors.
Great find.
Husband had cherry ices and I had chocolate and they were fabulous. Also got to try loads of other flavors.
jeff
love their ices.
all kinds of unique flavors.
you can sample all you want.
First time this evening.
Amazingly delicious flavors.
Great recommendation.