5 Italian ice spots in NJ worth waiting in that line down the block

We’ve reached Jersey’s annual Easy-Bake Oven era.

For the next few weeks, we’ll roast in near — or above — 90-degree temperatures; our bodies heavy with lethargy, our tongues as dry as Necco Wafers and saltines.

In the fields, our famed tomatoes will stew into marinara, our cows will sear into steak and our iconic sweet corn will pop into something you’d buy for $19 at the local AMC.

It’s going to be brutal.

…For everyone except the frozen dessert industry.

Should you be looking for a cool, tropical fruit-infused way to survive the Garden State’s second most awful meteorological phenomenon (February’s -1 degree spell takes the cake), here are five outstanding places to grab an Italian ice in North Jersey.

Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices, Hasbrouck Heights

Staten Island-born Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices offers frozen treats as nostalgic as they are delicious, as the family-owned chain has been serving scratch-made ices to the New York/Philly-metro region for nearly a century.

Known primarily for their thick textures and innovative flavors, the brand’s frosty scoops differ from competing ices, as they’re notably decadent and filling; eating more like desserts than mid-afternoon snacks. Some popular varieties that have had locals lining up for decades include peach, mango, pineapple and cotton candy.

In North Jersey, folks chasing that signature Ralph’s taste have two options: Hasbrouck Heights or Westfield.

Seeing that many of you have emailed me “Union County is South Jersey,” though, I’ll just recommend Hasbrouck Heights — because I don’t need you guys driving “down the shore” each time the thermostat passes 80.

Go: 239 Boulevard, Hasbrouck Heights; 201-393-4891, ralphsices.com.

DiCosmo’s Italian Ice, Metuchen

Ok, yes; Metuchen is Central Jersey, and I just mentioned that you guys complain about traveling, but the trip to DiCosmo’s Italian Ice is a pilgrimage worth making.

Offering a limited menu of authentic, hand-made European ices, the local institution has been wowing the Garden State with its fruity treats since it opened its doors in 1915. Each day, the spot serves no more than eight ices; all in simple paper cups (a recent upgrade from the original oversized ketchup cup-looking containers that persisted until 2022). The scoops are soft and old-fashioned, the varieties a mix of classic and contemporary.

Visit to early October, and savor natural ices in flavors from orange to ginger pear.

For a true time-defying experience, however, opt for the lemon — as the citrusy menu original has been transporting guests to Sicily for over 100 years.

Go: 20 New St., Metuchen; 732-243-9328, dicosmos.com.

Gelotti, Paterson

Passaic County landmark Gelotti may be known for its top-tier ice cream and luxurious gelato, but its name, and vast selection of the second, imply a strong connection to Italy at its roots. As expected, then, the beloved shop has impeccable Italian ice.

On a daily basis, the refreshing selection includes summer mainstays like red raspberry (with imported lampone paste), strawberry (with real fruit pieces) and a notably smooth mango that almost stretches when scooped by a spoon.

Personally, though, I’m a fan of the vanilla and chocolate varieties, because — made with milk — they’re almost like sophisticated versions of a Wendy’s Frosty.

Go: 2 Union Ave., Paterson; 973-595-1647, gelotti.com.

Uncle Louie G’s Italian Ice & Ice Cream, Park Ridge

There are a handful of Uncle Louie G’s Italian Ices across North Jersey (particularly in Bergen County), but the Park Ridge location rises above the others as the cream-of-the-crop of local chain ice establishments.

Enter its charming blue cottage digs, and be met by exceptional service and old-world charm. Snag a seat on its pebble lawn, and feel as though you’ve escaped to the shore. Order a scoop of cream ice, and note the way it’s perfectly spherical; like an AI-generated Italian ice emoji.

From the friendly staff to the stellar desserts (I recommend the passion fruit ice over a scoop of cherry vanilla ice cream), there’s not a thing I would change about the quaint little neighborhood hangout.

Go: 135 Park Ave., Park Ridge; 201-690-6719, unclelouiegee.com (explore other locations at: unclelouiegee.com/locations-2).

Leo’s Italian Ice, Kearny

Multi-flavored, swirly scoops are some of my favorite Italian ice varieties, as their vibrant, overlapping colors (and the fruit punch-like juice they leave at the bottom of the cup) always have me convinced they taste better than homogenous servings of watermelon (or a side-by-side pairing of the individual flavors that comprise them). I like my flavor components spiraled — tie dye-style — and I’m sure you feel similarly.

At Leo’s Italian Ice in Kearny, at least three swirly masterpieces are on the menu at once. Recently, the team served a tropical mango scoop; which featured mango, pineapple and lime; and, in the past, strawberry banana has been known to hit the display case.

The best I’ve ever tried, though, was the strawberry lemonade, which appears to be a mainstay, followed by the formerly-offered island breeze, which was loaded with passionfruit, strawberry, banana and coconut.

Go: 736 Kearny Ave., Kearny; 609-361-4471, instagram.com/leositalianice_kearny.

Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can’t find her in Jersey’s best restaurants, she’s probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: 5 Italian ice spots in NJ worth waiting in that line down the block