The kids heard the music first. While the other ice cream trucks inexplicably play Woody Guthrie’s “Union Maid”, this one was bopping along to Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. Say hello to Kona Ice, the new summer treat truck in town.
Kona Ice is a twist on the old Italian shaved ice cart. Pick the size you want and the guy in the truck hands you a heaping cup of shaved ice. You go to the back of the truck and drizzle on the flavors you want from Tiger’s Blood (coconut) to Watermelon. There are 10 standard flavors (including a traditional lemon-lime) and a bunch of specialty tastes including green apple and banana. Put on one flavor, put on a bunch, it’s up to you.
The Monzo family of Fairfield purchased a Kona Ice franchise that covers much of western Essex County earlier this year, and just got their permit for Verona last week. Mike Monzo, who was driving the truck today, says his dad plans to put multiple trucks on the road, but for now they operate just one. They don’t have a fixed schedule for being in Verona, so if you want to try Kona Ice, you’ll have to keep your eyes open.
Our panel of taste testers thoroughly enjoyed their first Kona Ice, but advise going easy on the Blue Raspberry.
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