Highland Park's LaScola's Italian Ice and Custard serves up sweet treats, coffee
They call it the “Ice Burg.”
It’s a scoop of creamy custard on the bottom and a scoop of refreshing Italian ice on the top.
“It’s the perfect combination,” said Tom LaScola, co-owner of LaScola’s Italian Ice and Custard in Highland Park with wife, Tish. “You can choose the flavors you like.”
On Friday, those choices were mango, watermelon, peach, lemon, cherry or banana Italian ice and choices of strawberry, vanilla, red velvet, chocolate, lemon olive oil, hazelnut, salted caramel or Vietnamese coffee custards.
“We try to change up the flavors every week,” said Tom LaScola, of Gibsonia. “We make everything here in small batches. We try to have a variety so there is something for everyone.”
Nestled in Highland Park on Euclid Avenue, this is a must stop a few times a week, according to Sansea Jacobson, who came by with sons Auden, 11, and Wilder, 9.
“They’ve kept a sense of community and some normalcy during such a trying time,” said Jacobson, of Highland Park. “They’ve kept us feeling connected to our neighborhood. They are a wonderful family, and we are fortunate to have this shop in Highland Park.”
She ordered her usual, the lemon olive oil custard. Her sons like to try different flavors. They often stop and meet up with friends from the neighborhood.
The lemon olive oil is the No. 1 seller, Tom LaScola said. Some people like it with sea salt.
This is the third year for this business, but the LaScolas have been selling Italian ice from a cart at various farmers markets and festivals for 14 years, continuing the tradition his cousin started years before. People will tell Tom LaScola they used to buy Italian ice from his cousin.
They found out the building was available for lease when they were at the farmers market in Highland Park and a festival on nearby Bryant Street, so they decided to go for it.
Tom LaScola said Highland Park is a wonderful, friendly city neighborhood.
They started with Italian ice and added custard, which now outsells the Italian ice 60% to 40%. A scoop of custard is $3.99. They have a vegan options.
Try a sandwich of custard between two fresh cookies from Steel City Bake Shop in Gibsonia for $5.99. Or a shot of espresso from La Prima Espresso Co. in the Strip District on top of your custard.
There are dog treats and a water bowl for canines.
Currently, they are window-service only because of covid-19 precautions.
“So many places are closed right now,” LaScola said. “We are so happy to be able to be open. It was always my dream to own my own coffee shop, so I have the Italian ice and custard shop and the coffee shop.”
A coffee shop Downtown, Starbucks in Market Square, is where Tom and Tish LaScola met artist David Connelly. They noticed his drawings and asked him to create a mural on their building that represented the family’s love of Pittsburgh.
You notice it right away when you drive by. It’s colorful and bold and showcases the city’s bridges and rivers. He painted with aerosol cans.
Connelly died this past week.
“I was saddened to hear of his death,” Tom LaScola said. “This is tough. He was such a talented artist and a nice person. I am glad we have this mural to remember him by and for people to enjoy when they walk past it or sit on the bench in front and enjoy Italian ice, custard or a cup of coffee.”
Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
LaScola’s Italian Ice and Custard is located at 1218 N. Euclid Ave., Highland Park, Pittsburgh.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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