Savannah Ice Cream Tradition Leopold’s

When I travel I seek out local places to eat. I want to support local restaurants since many are family-run and make efforts to source locally grown or caught ingredients. There is something to be said for going visiting these places, you are not only supporting local people, but are keeping local traditions alive.

Savannah has a long food tradition and most restaurants in Savannah are local places. There are handful of chain places like Outback or Joe’s Crab Shack, but local restaurants rule though. I can’t understand why anyone would travel to Savannah where fresh locally sourced seafood is abundant and chose to go to Joe’s Crab Shack. No clue.

On our trip to Savannah, we have eaten local for our meals (though I have to admit that we have been to Starbucks a couple of times.) One such place I sought out Leopold’s Ice Cream which was founded in 1919 by three brothers from Greece who learn ice cream and candy making from an uncle who had already settled in the US. The original Leopold’s closed in 1969 when the youngest son of Peter Leopold, Stratton Leopold left to pursue his Hollywood dreams where he was a very successful producer. He returned home and reopened the ice cream shop in 2004 with original fixtures that were kept in storage. This place looks and feels like an ice cream shop of a bygone era. Staff wearing paper hats and long aprons. An original Soda fountain and all.

The ice cream is amazing. The taste shows that all flavors are made one batch at a time on the premise using recipes passed down through the family. They have some signature flavors such as Tutti Frutti and Lemon Custard. They have been making them since 1919.