Is this the best gelato in Kentucky? Check out this sweet spot only open seasonally
It started with a trip overseas over a decade ago.
After sight-seeing and dinner each day, Beth Richardson and Philip Enlow began a habit of going to the same place for something sweet in the evening.
Richardson finally asked someone behind the counter, “What is it that makes this so great? Is it just because we’re on vacation?”
The man replied, “It’s because it’s not ice cream. It’s gelato.”
This introduction to gelato sparked something for the Kentucky couple, who at the time each had corporate careers and were hobby farmers.
At home in her Scott County kitchen, Richardson taught herself how to make gelato. Then her husband built a food truck.
That was the start of Spotz Gelato, which has grown from a single pink truck in 2013 to eight mobile units — vintage trucks, a wagon and indoor miniature gelato bars — as well as five brick-and-mortar locations in downtowns of small Kentucky towns.
After opening spots in Midway, Shelbyville, Georgetown and Versailles, the newest location opened two years ago on Main Street in La Grange. Each one is open from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday seasonally, from St. Patrick’s Day to Halloween.
“This was supposed to be a side gig on the weekends,” Richardson told the Courier Journal. “But we love it.”
Of the 250 rotating flavors you’ll find at Spotz, popular ones include cookies and cream, mint chocolate chip, and one inspired by Richardson’s mother’s recipe for banana pudding.
Richardson wanted to bring a “fun vibe” to each location, complete with pink walls, lots of polka dots, and vintage decor.
In La Grange, you’ll find the walls adorned with framed drawings from kids who have enjoyed a scoop there, paint-splattered floors, and seats pulled from an old bowling alley.
Gelato for each location is still made at the couple's farm and created with local products.
Along with scoops and pints of gelato, other treats include milkshakes, floats, sundaes, and Italian sodas.
Just in time for summer, we featured Spotz in the latest installment of the Courier Journal’s video food series, called “The Best Thing I Ate This Week.”
To follow along, visit Instagram.com/courierjournal.
Reach food reporter Amanda Hancock at a[email protected].
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Spotz Gelato in Kentucky serves authentic Italian gelato
