The Cheapest, Great Gelato with the Longest Line in Italy

I’m adding another stop on the Tour del Gelato! If you haven’t checked out some of gelaterias, there are over 40 from all over the world! If you’d like to participate on the Tour del Gelato, just check the directions on the Tour del Gelato blogroll page.

Some housekeeping:

• I’m participating in (Dessert First) Anita Chu’s The Field Guide to Cookies Book Tour! Check back this Thursday for a recipe from her fabulous book, and visit the other bloggers involved in the meantime!
• If you’re an Expat Blogger in Italy, and you don’t see your blog on my Expat Blogs in Italy list, contact me to be added!

One of the highlights of spending so much time in Puglia, and in Manfredonia to be more specific is my close proximity to one of my favorite gelaterias, Gelateria da Tommasino!

It’s an institution in Manfredonia, and while it doesn’t have a flashy patio for seating or even an indoors for when it’s raining, it’s always packed. Take this picture for example, taken this summer in August.

Not impressed? What if I told you it had been taken at 2am? Or that at midnight on a weekend, I found myself with the number 14 – a mere 42 people between me and my beloved gelato. I think the only time I’ve seen lines longer are at the Questura (police station) managing work visas.

Needless to say, I took a few turns around the park and came back to find my number was approaching.

So, how’s the gelato?

I’d have to say it’s in my Top 5 Gelaterias in Italy, and the prices mean that it will always have a place in my top rankings, and in my stomach.

Oh, did I not mention the prices? It is by far the cheapest (good!!) gelateria I’ve found in Italy, with cups and cones starting at just 1 euro! And these aren’t kiddie servings. The cone below was the next size up at 1.50euro. You can use the wafer as a benchmark for the size – I’ve never even ordered the 2 euro size.

If you can’t come to Manfredonia, don’t worry. Tommasino has their gelato, and more specifically their Ice Cream Cassata in many of the restaurants up and down the Pugliese coast.

If you do come to Manfredonia, a caveat: this gelateria is most definitely not open all day, so plan your stop accordingly. It usually opens in late afternoon or even the evening around 6/7pm, and is open until late night (2am or so).

Gelati Da Tommasino S.R.L.
Piazza del Castello
http://www.gelatidatommasino.com