Restaurant Review - The Gelato Tavern

Duty Calls…

I really wish I would have figured out a way to eat & drink (& write, ha!) as my purpose in life sooner because this. is. fun!

On Saturday, I took a little trip to downtown Buckeye - had to go to the Post Office - and decided to swing by The Gelato Tavern on my way home.

Somewhere along the line, in the blur that has become my life since this publication was launched on September 12th, Joe (the owner) and I had conversed online.

Unfortunately, I can’t find the thread of our conversation, but I do recall him paying The Buckeye Buzz a compliment, saying something very nice. ❤️ 

Because I had seen the BUZZ the opening of The Gelato Tavern created last year, I was excited to visit and meet him!

Surprise. Times Two.

After I left the post office, I made my way back towards where I thought The Gelato Tavern was located. I was under the mistaken impression that it was inside Screws & Sparkles (the owner of which, Sophia Martinez, is his sister); I don’t even know why I thought that except for both stores are closed on Mondays and I didn’t know Sophia was his sister until the day I met him.

Surprise one, it’s not located where I thought it was.

Surprise two, I got a little lost trying to find it. Don’t ask me how…¹

History Meets Modern Charm

The Gelato Tavern, is on Buckeye’s main drag on the west end of the same block as Screws & Sparkles and West Studios, with Ironsight Construction sandwiched between them. Once I consulted my map, again, I pointed my car in the right direction and was able to find it and a parking spot on the street, right in front.²  

It is located in the historic Ware Building which was built in 1910! This elegant building was first occupied by Buckeye Valley Bank in 1911 and then occupied by the Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the Buckeye Restaurant, with Screws & Sparkles putting it back on the map in a big way in 2018 when they opened their 9,000 sq. ft. shop.

The space has been home to many businesses over the last century, and Joe often has customers share stories about the various shops that have occupied the space over the years. It was also once a barbershop, electrical conduits still visible on the west wall, that Joe points out to me.

Just the Fella I Was Looking For…

Joe had previously told me that he was always there on Saturdays, so I was pretty confident I’d be able to meet him. And, when I walked in, I found just the fella I was looking for! Luckily, I had just missed the lunch rush, so Joe had time to answer my questions.

The first of which was posed while I scanned the gelato flavors “Do you have Espresso?” He said no, but offered a better suggestion…

What in the Affogato?!

Joe goes on to say that he can make me an espresso with gelato! Like it’s a real thing! Someone - some very smart Italian - had the brilliant idea of combining ice cream with coffee! Where has this been all my life?

Third surprise: I was not expecting coffee, I thought this was just an ice cream shop. And this isn’t just any coffee, this is art! (Also, please check out the menu! There are other beverage options, including Italian soda which looks divine!)

According to my research, the origins of affogato are unknown. It gained popularity in Italy in the 1950s at the same time ice cream production became industrialized. The original recipe calls for the addition of liqueur but I dislike alcohol and that isn’t an option at this kind of tavern anyway.

With drink in hand, and ice cream on my nose, I proceed with my questions. Note to self: next time use special, fancy gold spoon! (Hard to focus, this is the most perfectly crafted cup of coffee I have ever had in my life!)

🐝 Behind the Business

Of course I am curious what gave Joe the idea to open The Gelato Tavern. He says whenever he visited Buckeye, he’d have to travel far from downtown to be able to take his niece and nephew for ice cream. (His mention of his niece and nephew hit me in the heart; I know why I was directed here today.³ )

Back in 2022, when the idea really started percolating, he was still living in California, with his family urging him to move here to join them. He knew he couldn’t relocate without a plan for employment so he started researching his idea further.

It has always been his dream to open a cafe like the ones he’d frequent for coffee in Sacramento. He started wondering how he could combine the two: coffee & ice cream.

In December 2022 he got word that the space (where The Gelato Tavern is now occupied) was being vacated and he jumped at the opportunity to follow his dream.

He spent a year preparing, researching, doing construction, getting the necessary permits and learning about gelato and how to make espresso. He bought a home espresso machine and started practicing. Forever frustrated by “latte art,” by opening day he perfected his pours!

Let’s Grind

Whenever I do these interviews, I’m always most curious about the limiting beliefs and fear someone must face in order to follow their dream. I know social media makes it seem like all sunshine & rainbows, but in reality it is a lonely road, especially if you’re going at it alone.

Joe’s sister, Sophia, is quite a pioneer when it comes to entrepreneurship in downtown Buckeye, so he did have her for support. Lucky! Still, when it’s your business, it’s your responsibility and that can get a bit scary at times. I liken it to an E-ticket ride; it’s thrilling but also a little terrifying. (Though less terrifying than putting the fate of your future in someone else’s hands. 😉 )

Service First

While he didn’t have any working “professional” cafe experience, he does have a 10-year background in customer service. He said understanding and knowing what people want is a key part of the success equation. (We share that philosophy. I believe if you put people first, everything else falls into place.)

What a Gift!

He opened The Gelato Tavern on his birthday, on November 25, 2023! What a gift to give himself & the community! They are quickly approaching their one year anniversary after a year of rave reviews!

I can see why!

You can’t help but smile while you’re eating and/or sipping here! While I was there, the cutest group of girls came in and were ooohing and ahhhing and giggling about their drinks, just like I was!

I mean, how awesome is it to have a business that brings people so much joy & happiness?!

I triple-espresso-shot dare you to not smile here. It’s not possible.

And, Even Better!

Even though gelato may seem like ice cream, it’s quite different. First, gelato is made with more milk and less cream than ice cream and uses natural ingredients, while ice cream often contains artificial additives. And, because gelato doesn’t contain eggs, it is easier to adapt to vegan recipes.

Gelato is also denser and smoother and served at a slightly warmer temperature (at 10-20°F, while ice cream is served at 6-10°F).

The Best Part

But the best part, gelato usually contains less calories, less sugar and less fat than ice cream, making it better for you! This is shocking to me because it tastes is so much more decadent than ice cream!

Check this out: 3.5 ounces of vanilla gelato contains 90 calories & 3 grams of fat. The same serving size of vanilla ice cream contains 125 calories & 7 grams of fat.

Given these statistics, I see no reason not to enjoy gelato in my coffee regularly!

Second Sunday

In addition to the Tavern, Joe created “Second Sunday at the Ware Building” a market, brunch bar, cars & coffee, with pop ups and workshops, done in collaboration with Screws & Sparkles and other vendors. It just so happens the next one is scheduled for Sunday, October 13th, so I hope you can buzz over and check it out.

Early Birds Catch the Buzz

Ciao for now!

Remember, when you visit, be sure to tell them The Buckeye Buzz sent you!

From my ❤️ to yours…

1  It’s now occurring to me why I got a little lost trying to find The Gelato Tavern.  As part of my downtown adventure, I was looking for “The Enchanted Bullfrog” a vintage store I had visited a few times when I first moved to Verrado. Turns out, The Gelato Tavern now occupies that space.

2  Adding to my confusion, the address indicates The Gelato Tavern is on Monroe Avenue, but it faces MC85. This is also probably why I thought it was inside S&S. Update: Monroe Avenue is MC85! (That’s not immediately apparent on my map…)

3  The day I visit Joe & The Gelato Tavern, is 2 days before the anniversary of the death of my uncle Gary 8 years ago, on September 30, 2016. He was taken from us in a targeted robbery against him at the age of 55. No matter how long it’s been, this time of year is always difficult for me, a reminder how our life was forever altered that day. I wouldn’t be the person I am without his presence in my life (then & now). He spent so much time with us, doing fun things with me and my little brother when we were growing up. When Joe mentions his niece and nephew, it reminds me how lucky my brother and I were to have Gary and how important Joe’s presence will be in their lives. There are very few uncles like Gary & Joe … I count myself lucky to know them both. There’s more I could say here about the “coincidences” in my visiting The Gelato Tavern when I did, but for now you’ll just have to trust me when I say my visit was heaven sent.