Waterloo – Lemon Italian Ice

I was majorly bummed when Waterloo’s Guy Fieri flavors seemed to disappear overnight—or maybe they didn’t—stores around here have no consistency in what they carry. But anyway, I found a vintage can of this one in the Whole Foods impulse cooler, and now I’m drinking it. It’s subtle—but good! I’ve had Italian Ices over the years, including lemon, and they’re delightful—and you can probably disappear down the Italian Ice rabbit-hole researching the history of various formulations and secret recipes. What I would do if I was dude (Guy), devising this new flavor is, after trying all versions of lemon, try adding a small amount of that universal flavor enhancer… vanilla. Not too much, though! And maybe that’s what they did here—all I really know is, I like it. Curious, I checked Waterloo website, thinking they might have parted ways with Fieri, who might have gotten tired of slaving away in Austin and wanted to get back to Flavortown. But no! His name is still on the can! But it’s an entirely new can design! The lemon’s played up and Guy’s played down—but still present. The old can is a bit more cartoon style—maybe I should save it in my sparkling-water-can museum—it might be worth something someday, like my Billy Beer cans. Later: I found another can at Whole Foods, but new style cans! It’s got a big-ass lemon on it—still “Guy Fieri’s Flavortown”—but those words are reduced—in a very small font! I’ll have to sample it and see if it tastes the same as the other one. Well, I’m tryin’ it now—and it’s delicious—nice lemon flavor, refreshing, and a bit complex. But is it the same as the other one? The only way to know is to hold a side-by-side taste-test—and I’m not falling for that! That’s how they get ya. The next thing you know, I’m in front of a trustee who’s asking, “How’d you get a million clams in the hole?” And I say, “Well, Your Honor, side-by-side comparisons.” That’s not gonna fly!

No. 151 – 6.20.26