Gelato Joes --- A Dazzling Surprise of Homemade Italian Concoctions And It's Open For Business!I have driven by Gelato Joes located behind Regions Bank on the corner of Hwy 59 and E. Michigan (where BlockBuster Video and Winn-Dixie Grocers are located) in Foley at least three dozen times in the past year wondering if and when the business will sell. I've not visited the business because I hesitate to grow attached to something only to have it change or leave, and I suspect there are others who have avoided it for the same reason. You see there is a "For Sale" sign placed conspicuously on the front lawn. Recently curiosity finally got the best of me, so I stopped and watched as a steady stream of nicely dressed local business-looking people enter the restaurant. I observe new construction of outdoor decking with arbor and umbrellas and I'm confused. I wait for customers to quickly exit. It is when they don't exit my curiosity is really peaked and I decide that today I will sample Gelato Joes --- a sandwich and Italian ice parlor. I anticipate an interior akin to a Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors Ice Cream Shop --- complete with checkered floors and freezers chilling Italian flavored ices or custards. I suspect pre-packaged sandwiches are lined ready to be re-heated Arby's style. No, I don't have high expectations. In my mind the business has been trying to sell for more than a year --- surely their inventory and selection is poor. What I experience nearly floors me the minute I enter the doors. The interior ambiance is warm, earthy and friendly with original and hand painted art lining walls. Italian blown glass pendants highlight a vast array of dazzling colored ices and custards. As I move in to focus, I see gorgeous, homemade-looking cakes, dessert bars and a Tiramisu I know doesn't come frozen from any purveyor. I blink to see mouth watering fresh fruits and cheeses atop dark green leafy salads. I observe various pre-wrapped, but obviously homemade --- everything from Paninis to Hoagies to Muffuletas. A near visual overload comes with an almost overwhelming variety of pasta meals. A real espresso machine completes the scene. I don't have time to process the information (I'm still wondering why all this food is displayed when they are supposedly closing?) when Kay, Joe's mother, invites me to choose a meal. "I can't choose. I didn't come to eat. I just came to sample a Gelato," I say, but then quickly add "but now I see I must try at least one or two other selections ...and by the way, why are you selling?" "We're not! The real estate sign is located between us and the bowling alley next door," she explains. "We get asked that all the time... I know it is confusing." She doesn't rush me. While in Gellatos Joes, I spoke to Foley residents Donna and Morris Williams, who say they visit the restaurant at least two times weekly. "Gelato Joes is one of our favorite places to eat in Foley, and we do our best to tell our friends --- including our out-of-town friends to visit," Donna tells me. Looking about, I see fluffy Key lime pies, Pineapple and German Chocolate Cakes and a Tiramisu made with lady fingers not typically found in a local supermarket. I learn Kay's son Joe arrives around 7 a.m. to make the Gelatos from scratch and prepare food for the day's selection. I select an Italian Hoagie Panini for my first meal. It is grilled (not steamed as expected) on a Panini grill. It costs $5.95 and comes stuffed with ham, cappicola, salami, Italian cothegino and provolone cheese. It is served with an "house secret" roasted red pepper sauce that is so tasty I am tempted to ask for a spoon. Of course I don't leave without enjoying a cup of Joe's homemade Gelato. It is difficult to choose between the 24 displayed selections (rotated from over a hundred I'm told,) and my eyes are drawn to other selections: Joe's Boardwalk style custard in all manner of temptations from Strawberry Shortcake to Bananas Foster to People's Choice. I'm dazzled by all sorts of candiesand cookie offerings in "Joe's Razzle." I end the experience with something that is quite a luxury to behold --- a cup of dark, rich, crema-topped espresso pressedfrom a real espresso machine. Less than one hour later I feel I can skip grocery shopping in favor of returning to GelatoJoe's to let him and his mother Kay cook for me ---weekly. It is better this way I think. I leave the restaurant glad for the discovery. Who should go? Locals for sure. Tourists tired of over-processed, steam warmed "deli" fast food sandwiches. Families hungry for a snack to hold them over before or after choosing videos. Food enthusiasts eager for a genuine, home made meal--- from coffee to dessert. Gelato Joes is fast food your mom would be proud to serve. It is affordable enough to treat a business associate. It is convenient enough to swing by for a "little treat" or to indulge in an after dinner dessert. And yes, spread the word: Gelato Joes is very much open for business. Gelato Joes
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