There are many Las Vegas ice cream and gelato shops (chain and independent) to keep you cool in the summer. But there�s only one sweet spot in town serving up frozen custard in a variety of different and tasty ways: Luv-It Frozen Custard. Despite receiving rave reviews in regional and national magazines, Luv-It remains a closely guarded secret by locals who possess a deep and abiding regard � some would call it an addiction � to a dessert shop that specializes in sundaes, yet also offers traditional cones, cups, malts and shakes. Luv-It is where downtown artists, writers, journalists, politicians and other assorted riff-raff congregate in order to cool down.
Indeed, summer sidewalks in Las Vegas are egg-fryingly hot. Good thing, then, that Luv-It keeps those eggs in the base of its family recipe, providing richer flavor and a better consistency than your everyday ice cream.
According to owner Greg Tiedemann, whose grandparents opened the downtown stand in 1973, his custard contains less fat and sugar than ice cream, yet maintains a smoother and creamier texture and an old-fashioned homemade taste that can�t be beat. The last bit is absolutely true. If you don�t believe us, then believe the dozens of folks queued up in front of the stand every night. They come here for a reason, and that reason is kickass custard.
What to choose? We highly recommend the special sundaes, which include the Western (a mouthwatering concoction of hot fudge, caramel and pecans) and the Banana Fudge Krumble (a delicious treat that combines hot fudge, sliced bananas and Oreo cookie crumbles) and the Bumble Berry (a crisp invention of raspberry, strawberry and peanuts). Yep, the special sundaes, with their elaborate ingredients, are definitely the way to go. For those with simpler tastes, there�s black cherry, blueberry and butterscotch; and for those who wish to take their sundaes to the next level of sugary heaven, there are items like the awesome Banana Split, loaded with strawberries, marshmallow, bananas and peanuts.
Sundaes aside, there are at least five freshly made flavors of the day to choose from, if you�re in the mood for a cup or cone. (Thirty-one flavors don�t apply here, because Luv-It�s frozen custard isn�t designed to sit out for days at a time.) However, all shakes, malts and whips come in one size only and are made to order. So what flavors are there? Check it out: Almond Chip, Maple Walnut, Coffee Chip, Lemon, Peach and Wild Cherry � just to name a few. There are seasonal items, too; for instance, during the fall, look for Pumpkin and Egg Nog, and in the summer, you can expect Mango and Pi�a Colada. Tiedemann is a magician when it comes to fashioning taste bud-tingling flavors.
One of the best reasons to stop by Luv-It is to people-watch. Not only do you get an opportunity to observe the downtown Vegas demimonde (a.k.a. hookers, pimps, dealers, the homeless), but you also get to rub elbows with people like investigative reporter George Knapp and poet and public defender Dayvid Figler. Luv-It is a truly democratic gathering place that bustles beneath the noise and color of the Stratosphere. Next time you�ve got a sweet tooth, sink it into some frozen custard.
Luv-It Frozen Custard is located at 505 E. Oakey Blvd. For more info, call 702-384-6452.
