The Gelato Wars
by Anna S. • February 16, 2012 • Food & Drink • 18 Comments
There is a gelato war brewing in Portland, and we are all the more fortunate for it.
Gorgeous Gelato has, for almost two years, dominated the Portland gelato scoop shop scene from their post at 434 Fore St, while The Gelato Fiasco scooped up handmade gelato in Brunswick and got their product into the Hannaford freezer case. Now that The Gelato Fiasco has opened up their second retail shop, strategically placing themselves at 425 Fore St, directly across the street from their rival and right next door to Five Guys Burgers (making a fairly decadent fast-food meal combination), these two frozen treat powerhouses will go head to head for the hearts and taste-buds of Portland’s summer visitors and local aficionados of creamy delicious treats. If they can both survive (and I, personally, think there is absolutely room in the city for these two shops to peacefully coexist) the city’s food scene will be the richer for it.
For the uninitiated, gelato is not simply “Italian Ice Cream”. It is a frozen treat which shares common ingredients with ice cream, but which typically has a much lower percentage of butterfat and a higher percentage of sugar than American ice cream. It is denser, smoother, and often more flavorful than it’s more familiar counterpart.
Gorgeous Gelato has become well known for their whole-food approach to treat making, and they feature traditional flavors such as zabaione and stracciatella along with fruit based concoctions such as wild berry and mango. The Gelato Fiasco, while sharing a focus on local, natural ingredients with their cross-street rival, takes a more whimsical approach to flavor development. Their Cake Batter Gelato (yep, tastes just like frozen cake batter) is semi-legendary, and on my first visit to their Portland store (which took place on Super Bowl Sunday) they had on offer some football-themed flavors including ‘Tom Brandy’, and a slightly-terrifying Buffalo hot-wings flavor that no one seemed brave enough to try. They also have more traditional flavors like their house chocolate, and “Innocence” (a very traditional fresh cream flavor) along with an assortment of mainly fruit-inspired Sorbettos. All flavors sold in Portland are made fresh in the Portland store, and they post a daily menu of flavors on their website. (You can even sign up to get an email when your favorite flavor is available.)
Like their flagship Brunswick location, the new Portland store features a warm, inviting decor that highlights some gelato-themed classic artwork, free wi-fi, and a selection of board games at the back. A large sign just inside the front door promotes the ‘Red Spoon Society‘ (a points based frequent buyers club), and during winter months there is a “Frozen Code” that gives gives store-wide discounts at any time when the temperature is below 32 degrees. The scooping staff is upbeat, and insanely knowledgeable about the flavors — any and all of which you are encouraged to try before making your final selection.
I suspect you’re expecting me to come down on one side or the other – to pick a shop as the top gelato shop in the city. I’m not going to. Instead, I’m going to encourage you to try them both and see which one you like the best. Like chocolate and vanilla, they are very different shops but each delicious in their own way. Fore Street is one of the most visible locations in the city, with heavy foot traffic, and I’m confident that both shops will do well. As a long-time fan of their Brunswick location, I’m tickled that The Gelato Fiasco is able to open a second shop in Portland, simply because I know that means another Maine-based business is doing well.
The Gelato Fiasco’s new Portland location is at 425 Fore St in Portland, “behind the fence” on the ground level of the Fore Street Parking garage, right next to the new Five Guys Burgers. Learn more about them at their website (bonus points if you can find the link on the website that leads to being Rick-Rolled), and you can Like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.
Distance from the Maine State Pier: four-tenths of a mile (about a seven minute walk).
Still can’t find them? Here’s a map!
I for one am annoyed they opened right across the street from Gorgeous Gelato, I think around the corner at least, might have been a better move. I think it’s a slap in the face. And I, for one, prefer the real Italian Gorgeous Gelato. I’ve had Gelato Fiasco and it isn’t nearly as smooth and tasty as the real italian version across the street.
You are not the first person I have heard express this, and I understand the frustration. I do truly believe, however, that there is plenty of room for both businesses to thrive.
Thanks for commenting!
As a fellow gelatiera owner in Cincinnati I don’t see what the problem is with both shops being on the same block, much less across the street from each another. In Italy it is not uncommon to see not one or two, but multiple gelatieras on the same city street. When a business bickers about another business in the area it turns off potential new customers. Everyone is getting a lot of positive attention right now because of Gelato Fiasco opening in Portland, in turn causing more word of mouth about other businesses on Fore Street. Sounds like nothing but great news for two locally owned businesses. Plus, isn’t variety the spice of life?
Sorry, Michael.
Cincinnati population 296,943 —> Portland population 66,194
Do you see any difference ?
I had Gorgeous Gelato this past fall, I wasn’t impressed. I would be interested to know about their preparation methods, the gelato that I ordered was very chalky. None the less, I think that between the two shops people should have their preferences met.
1. An important correction; Gorgeous Gelato only opened 14 months ago tomorrow. Dec. 17th, 2011
2. A question; Have you had Gorgeous Gelato’s gelato?
3. An honest statement; I’ve had both gelatos on multiple occasions.
4. My opinion; Gorgeous Gelato is a better product than The Gelato Fiasco’s “Gelato”. Gorgeous Gelato not only tastes better, but it’s authentic!! The real gelato. The espresso “the best in Portland” also the real stuff! The shop is also always very clean, attractive, relaxed, and crammed with loads of fresh homemade treats! You can also see it all being made daily. Gorgeous Gelato is a magical, local, “Mom & Pop shop” with a loyal and righteous fan base.
I think that Gelato Fiasco, while selling a good product, cannot really compete. Their “gelato” is more like ice cream, entirely “Americanized” with their “crazy” flavors and icy texture. Like Baskin Robbins there are too many flavors to chose from and some of them just don’t work.
As for their new location on Fore Street; I think that it’s very rude and not a ” Mainerly” thing to do.
Thanks for the correction!
I have eaten at both shops. As I said in my post, they are as different (and as delicious) as chocolate and vanilla. I do truly think that there is room for both shops in Portland — even both on Fore St.
I’m a little amused to note that no one seemed to be concerned that GoBerry (who are also on Fore St) was being rude when they opened up just feet away. What with GoBerry, two gelato shops, and Beal’s down around the corner at 12 Moulton, Fore Street is sort of turning into frozen dairy product row.
Who knew that the topic of gelato is such a divisive topic?
Thanks for reading and commenting!
When I read comparisons of products, I like to see a balance of descriptions of all aspects of each one. In this review, you spend 3/4 of your words and photos on the store that sells Americanized gelato, giving short shrift to the other store that has Italian owners, machinery, and product. Having been to Italy, I know the authentic product, which is at Gorgeous. True gelato doesn’t need gimmicky flavors — it’s about savoring the taste, relaxing with a friend, and taking time to enjoy life. Similarly, drinking a cappuccino or espresso isn’t similar to slugging back a DD takeout coffee!
Diversity in taste and style is wonderful, but so is balance in writing, especially when you espouse to not have a preference.
Similarly, I’d rather buy authentic Chinese food than American chop suet.
Elizabeth, thanks for your comment.
If you read the rest of the blog, you’ll note that what we do here is short profiles of local businesses. This post was intended as a profile of a new local business, using another business as a point of reference.
I’m pleased to know that Gorgeous Gelato has so many fans. The fervor with which folks like you speak about the shop reassures me that they’ll be an important part of the Portland scene for many years.
I agree with Elizabeth. Why not title the post, ‘The Gelato Fiasco’? Overall the ‘comparison’ seems a little one-sided. Having spent a significant amount of time studying in Italy, I would hands down say that Gorgeous Gelato is the more authentic of the two.
Meredith, thanks for your comment.
I think the comments on this post are a perfect example of why the post is titled as it is. For whatever reason, people have strong feelings on this subject. As I said in response to another comment, I’m happy to know that there is such passion around this topic.
Gorgeous Gelato all the way! Much fresher and creamier. Gelato Fiasco is more like ice cream and icy and crystalized sometimes. I like that they have more adventurous flavors, but as far as being real gelato, gorgeous is the real thing.
Most of what I would have said has already been said re the superiority and authenticity of Georgeous, and the “rude”, un-Mainer like nature of Fiasco’s stealthy initial arrival. People who see it as just good capitalism miss the point. Fiasco is a good Maine based company that is a fine product. Georgous, however, is a very special place. It is unique and adds to the food destination reputation of Portland. Anything that would undermine it’s existence, would be jeopardizing something very significant. I personally think that they will both bring in more business to Fore street, plus I think Georgous’ superiority will insure its survival; however, to see this as just good healthy competition, with nothing really huge at stake, misses the whole point of this. This isn’t gelato “being so divisive”. This is about a threat to one of Portland’s treasures and to the specialness of Portland.
Yes, I believe both businesses can thrive in portland and even in close proximity on Fore st. I personally would not have put myself sooo close to my compition. A bit unclassy in my book and because of that I’ll keep my business with the authentic italian gelato from georgous…
I think people are really missing the point of Gelato fiasco opening on Fore St. They didn’t look at the space and say, “here’s something across the street from an Italian guy we can put out of business.” They took what was available in a high foot traffic street where they could work with a landloard and be next door to a busy quick-serve burger shop. Do you think locations like that grow on trees? Do you think they would pass it up because of another gelato shop that hasn’t even been in business very long? Get real. Un-mainerly? Give me a break.
I’ve been to both gelateria. Personally, I prefer Gelato Fiasco, so take the rest of my comment with that in mind.. There was nothing wrong with Gorgeous, but I really like the variety of flavors at Gelato Fiasco. I’ve spent time in Italy, and both stores product is authentic. In fact, it’s better than some of the gelato I had in Italy! Competition isn’t a bad thing and I hope both stores succeed.
All that said, I’ve looked at both store’s Facebook pages and I see nothing posted on Gelato Fiasco’s page that disses Gorgeous Gelato, but there are some snipes the other way around. Sour grapes isn’t a good flavor.
Hi Blakely,
I’m Donato, Gorgeous Gelato’s owner. We really love every, single Gelato Fiasco’s customer and lots of them are quickly realizing the difference between a huge selection of flavors and … few authentic, absolutely fresh and authentic savors.
Unfortunately, till one year ago there was no other choice to have Gelato in Maine and now, they can taste the real thing!
By the way, before flying back to Italy, come into my shop and ask me where to have an unforgettable Gelato experience in Italy. Trust me, I know the right places!
Sorry for my bad English. ;-)
Donato, thanks so much for your comment. I’ve been in your shop many times and love your product.