Best of Coney Island comes to Green Valley

Special to the Green Valley News

What cold, refreshing, sweet treat begins with the letter “I” and is available from a shiny silver food trailer at Green Valley Village?

It’s Ed Myles’ refreshing treat reminiscent of the Coney Island boardwalk, New York City streets and Jersey shore summers — Italian ices.

Available in chocolate, cherry, watermelon, mango, green apple and blue raspberry, Myles has brought the northeast summertime treat to the southwest

He’s also brought Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, which personifies the best of Coney Island fast food — and word is getting around.

“People think Italian ices are the same as shaved ice, Hawaiian ice or SnoCones but Italian ices are different,” Myles said.

The main difference between Italian ices and other ice desserts is that all ingredients are mixed together like ice cream prior to being frozen.

SnoCones and shaved ice have syrupy flavors added over ice and are crunchy. Italian ice is smooth.

Myles said ices have sugar, but no fat, cholesterol or dairy products making them a cool treat for everyone and especially for people who are lactose intolerant.

His silver food trailer may be a familiar site because of his “Divine Donuts” sign, which he makes fresh for each customer.

“It takes about one minute and you get 14 or 15 mini-donuts in a bag. Once people have they come back and line up for them.” Myles said.

Sampling a sweet mini donut, the outside had a light crunch. It’s the kind of treat where you can’t eat just one.

More than Italian ices, Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and his Divine Mini Donuts, Myles offers nachos, chips and a variety of hot and cold beverages.

A former airline employee whose job was eliminated when there was a corporate takeover, Myles wondered what he would do next.

“I wanted a business where people would come to me,” and now his food trailer and friendly manner are attracting repeat customers.

Massage therapist David Falkow, who is from New York and has an office in the Village, stops by for his daily fix of a Nathan’s hot dog.

Although Myles isn’t from New York he gets great pleasure introducing residents from all over to Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and six flavors of authentic Italian ices.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.

If you go

Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., north end of Ace Hardware at Green Valley Village,

close to the Esperanza entrance.