If you’ve been following along on Instagram then you know we are on Day 11 of our epic family road trip. So far we’ve watched Ride Along while floating in a car ferry across Lake Michigan, stayed in an 1830’s beach cottage, 1970’s suburban home, and a live-work space that used to sell bingo equipment, and climbed a mile-high sand dune (slight exaggeration). It has been a proper trip, making memories over here.
Last Thursday we made our way up the Lake Michigan coastline to the tiny village of Suttons Bay where our friends Tony and Jennifer have an Italian Ice shop in the summer. Little Bee’s is the type of place you would visit at least twice a day if you were on vacation in a quaint beach town. I could see stopping for a tart cherry ice after a hot day near the shore and then again for a little sea salt caramel affogato after dinner. I can see all this happening because that’s what we did—four days straight.
You are probably thinking at this point that I am going on and on about this place because they are our friends and I want to support them and all of that is true but I am here to tell you that after nearly two weeks of eating a nightly frozen treat (we are on vacation after all) the Italian ice, sorbet, and gelato at Little Bee’s were hands down the best we’ve had on our entire trip.
The gelato is light, super creamy, and made with local fruit and nuts. The sorbet is eye-popping bright , made one batch at a time (they have no freezer other than the one they scoop out of) and melts into a fruity puddle on your tongue. But the italian ice, oh the italian ice, they have outdone themselves there. The texture is like that of a perfectly melted snow cone, not too watery, but no hard balls of ice either, and the flavors—watermelon, lemon, lime, and my personal favorite tart cherry—are the best incarnations of themselves.
If you find yourselves in their neck of the woods, go there! They are open until the snow starts falling (sometime around October) when they will shut down the churner and call it quits…..’til next year.
Little Bee’s Italian Ice
309 N. St. Joseph Street
Suttons Bay, MI
231-866-0646
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Yay! I can’t wait to add this to my list of places to go while we’re in TC. Tart Cherry Italian Ice? YES.
Yes, Nicole, it’s a must! When are you going? It is so beautiful there!
In 2 weeks! We went 4 years ago and had a wonderful time, so I’m excited to go back. And now, thanks to you, we have an Italian ice recommendation, woo!
Have fun! Are you going to the Sand Dunes? It was one of our favorite spots when we were there. Also check back on Monday, I’m writing a full post of our entire Michigan trip. If you go to Little Bee’s tell Tony and Jennifer I sent you! 🙂