Friday, August 6, 2010

Friday Night Italian Ice Fight : Luigi vs Lindy


I've kinda had italian ice on the brain since visiting a local italian ice place. Now there are two major italian ice brands around here (well, 3 if you include my boring time with PhillySwirl). Let's get these guys in the ring.

The Contenders

Luigi     vs.     Lindy

Sorry, we don't have a picture of Luigi, so I had to improvise with the bob dob drawing. Luigi is packing "real Italian ice" while Lindy packs "homemade Italian ice". Luigi is a modest 6 fluid ounces and weighs in at 100 calories and 0 BMI. Lindy is the same 6 fluid ounces but has a slightly beefier 110 calories and 20% of your vitamin C to boot.

Right off the bat, you want to give Luigi the advantage. He's lighter on his feet and not weighed down by high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors (or dextrose or soy lecithin or carrageenan). Ok, you get the idea.

Round 1: Packaging

I definitely like the Luigi's packaging better. Luigi has that bright red cherry Italian ice front and center. I see that and I think "where's my spoon?"


Lindy's packaging just seems dated. Granted, I think that's the idea, but it looks like it hasn't changed in about 20 years. The ice looks flat and boring, and it's not even prominent really. I'm thinking it's time for new artwork.

Here are the actual cups. Luigi's is plain and simple and includes a paper lid. Lindy's is busy, but does include an actual tinfoil seal. Actually, the seal up top makes the container look bigger too.

That seal is a nice touch but overall I have to give this round to the more modern Luigi.


Round 2: Appearance

There isn't much to compare since they are so very similar BUT Luigi's looks alot more official. Lindy's just looks messy like something happened to it or it was lazily made.

Luigi quickly wins this round.


Round 3: Taste

Let's get to the final and most important round, it's tasting time! Be forewarned that I have had both of these treats before in the last two weeks, but this is the first time I am trying them side by side.

Luigi's is up first. It's a muted cherry flavor, almost salty. Muted might not even be the right word since it does linger so much. The cherry taste seems fairly "real", but I'm not sure that's what I want in this particular snack.

Lindy's is up now. It's definitely sweeter, more like a treat (no salty taste here). There is a bit of an unnatural/artificial nature to the taste. Not like nasty fake, it's just that you know that this is made to be a sweet snack and not an actual cherry.

How about texture you say? Luigi's is more dense, more like a sorbet. Lindy's is more icy/crunchy and harder to scoop. You don't need to wait for Luigi's to melt, but a few minutes wouldn't hurt Lindy.

Uh oh, we may have a decisive blow about to be thrown here. Luigi's has a lingering aftertaste, and yes, it's  "salty". It certainly doesn't make you want to dive back in for more. Lindy's has a light aftertaste, almost refreshing, leaves you wanting more (wait, is that the opposite of refreshing? can you be refreshing and want more?)

I have a few more bites but it's over for me. Lindy's has taken this round with a knock out. I'm actually eating the Lindy's in hopes of covering up the Luigi's taste.



Post fight wrap up

Luigi fought the good fight, and I know there are plenty of people out there who will prefer his sorbet like texture and more natural flavors, I'm just not one of them. Now we've also recently had Lindy's blue raspberry flavor in the house last week... I would have saved one but my daughter kept calling them cotton candy and helped me polish them off before I snagged a picture, but I think this proves my point. Lindy's is more of a kid friendly, sweeter, freezer pop version of Italian ice.

103 comments:

  1. Lindy's products are disgusting!

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    1. Lindy's is the best all around!Just Try it?!!!!!!!! The other brand is syrupy.... Yuuuuk

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    2. No way!!!! Lindys is amazing!!

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    3. I've been eating Luigi's for years. Tried Lindy's when the store didn't have Luigi's. Literally, taste like a snow cone. Watery, flavored, sugar water. Can't stand it. I'm sure it's all what you're used to.

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    4. Lindy’s may be more authentic, but we found it to be watery and devoid of flavor. Luigi’s gets our vote, hands down.

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    5. Only Lindy's! Harder to find at markets, but it's worth driving a bit further for Lindy's!

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    6. Luigis is much better and is the actual Italian ice. Italian ice is NOT supposed to be icy amd crunchy like a snow cone! The whole point of Italian ice is the luigi like texture of it.. if you want real Italian ice Luigis is the only kind that has the authentic whipped while freezing texture! And luigis isn't salty it is SOUR. their main staple flavor is lemon. And they give almost all of their flavors more of a sour bit because of that. But the Linda's is sweeter but it is NOT Italian ice.. it is like a homemade snowcone. Super rich syrup over shaved ice. That is NOT what Italian ice is.. Italian ice is whipped fast and hard while it is freezing to add air amd give it that soft almost puffy like texture. So if anyone is looking for what actual Italian ice with a sort of sour fresh taste then you want to get luigis ,if you are just looking for an overly sweet snow cone then it is Lindy's for you. And Luigis blue raspberry is AMAZING and it IS the sweetest kind and my children also call the luigis blue raspberry the "cotton candy" ice. My grandmother is from Italy and she agrees the Luigi texture IS the REAL and authentic Italian ice, it is not supposed to be like a crunchy snow cone! You can still LIKE Linda's. But it is NOT AT ALL actual Italian ice!

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    7. Lindy’s always. I will never buy Luigi’s again.

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  2. You are sooooo Crazy, Luigi Owns Lindy's all day long. If i Wanted a snow cone I would have bought one.

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  3. Luigi's changed their formula or something a few years ago and tastes unbearably nasty to me now. Lindy's tastes like the way Luigi's used to be and is my favorite as well.
    Everything comes out like solid rock in my freezer so that's less of an issue.

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    1. Really? That's pretty funny! I'm new to both of them so I'll take your word for it.

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    2. Lindy"s gets my voter hands down. If i can't wait the few min for it to thaw, i remove the lid and zap it in the microwave for 5-10 seconds...perfect!!

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    3. Lindy's has an intense lemon flavor that is like the authentic ones you find in Italy. Luigi's is a watered down version

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    4. Lindy's is the real deal Icy real taste like Ralphs and not expensive. Luigi nasty tasting scoped it is more a sherbet. Store was out of Lindy's so picked up Luigi one taste and into the garbage.

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    5. lindy's is the best fresh clean flavor Luigi has a no taste nasty cream flavor . What am I eating . Got to get something to get that taste gone .

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    6. Lindy's has zero fruit tart taste it just taste like sugar and ice . Pure crap . Luigi's kills it

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  4. LINDYS ALL HE WAY!!!!

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  5. Luigis watermelon and raspberry are excellent.

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    1. Watermelon yessss

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    2. I'll take Lindy's over Luigi's any day! The watermelon is absolutely delicious!

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  6. I think they're both good, but I do prefer Lindy's. Lemon is by far my favorite.

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  7. Lindy's is a real italian ices. It is real ice apposed to the sticky gook of most other brands. Lindy's is in my opinion the best store bought Italian ices you can get. Ralph's Italian Ices are the best but you cant get them at the grocery store and are super expensive. Lindy's are near if not as good as Ralphs.

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  8. Lindy's is the best BY FAR!! I live on the west coast and can't even get Lindy's out here anymore. Luigi's just doesn't cut it. I have some every time I go to the other side of the country.

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  9. Yes, there is not doubt. Lindy's is far closer to the real Itailan ice I used to be able to buy in the city.

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  10. This isnt even a contest. Lindy's destroys Luigi's.
    We're talking about Italian Ice...not Italian Sorbet. Luigis is hardly considered Italian Ice.
    Lindy's watermelon is fantastic. Its just unfortunate that they dont sell full boxes of watermelon. They split it in half with the strawberry flavor.

    If you let Lindy's sit for 5-10 minutes before eating, the flavor get enhanced.

    Lindy's is FANTASTIC!

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  11. Lindy's all the way. Know comparison.

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  12. Agreed....Lindy's is better. Watermelon is my favorite.

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  13. Love Lindy's orange flavor. It reminds me of when I was a kid (a long, long time ago) and the vendor would could around with his cart selling Italian ice. Loved it then and Lindy's reminds me of that. Wish I could find where to buy it in Connecticut so my sister could get some. I live in Virginia and find it here.

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    1. Stop and shop west haven ct. Im eating that exact one right now lol

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    2. If anyone knows where I can find Lindys anywhere within the Cleveland OH area let me know as I have friends within 1-2 hours drive circle of there.

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  14. market basket would be a safe bet, there are a half dozen in connecticut, think shaws has them too, just make sure she is trying a few stores and hopefully some place will have them.

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  15. Luigi's Lemon has a bitter aftertaste. I prefer Lindy's but our local stores are no longer carrying it. By the time I get to the closest store I can buy it at it would be long melted on the way home. Boo Hiss!

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  16. You have to let Lindy's sit for a few. Our local grocer, Jewel, stopped carrying Lindy's for a subpar-not-even-on-the-same-level Luigi's and I, as well as many Lindy's fans, am disappointed. The textures of Luigi's are off, depending on the flavor. And speaking of which .. Luigi's shouldn't that concoction lemon Italian ice. Whatever that flavor is, it's far from lemon! Bottom line .. no comparison between the two .. Lindy's all the way!

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    1. Jewel has Lindy's again! :) at least the one in oak lawn

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    2. One of the biggest mistakes of the Luigi's they change the formula just because they are under new management, they just couse trouble and the ppl don't care about the product anymore. The have 0 quality on the product/ management!!

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  17. Well im a lugi fan, haven't had italian ice in a couples but today I went grocery shopping and stumble upon lindy's. The box packaging caught my attention so I purchase it. All and all: lindy's is okay and I would buy it again (watermelon, strawberry) but lugi is still a fav of mines ;)

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  18. Lindy's is the best! If you want it softer, take off the top and pop it into the microwave for 5-10 seconds.

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    1. I love Lindy’s. The taste is so much better. Lindy’s is also more refreshing. I just tried Luigi’s but will keep purchasing Lindy’s because everything about it is great!

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  19. I bought Luigi's once mistaking it for Lindy's. Luigi's isn't Italian ice at all - it has the consistency of sherbet and a gross overpowering chemical taste. Lindy's watermelon actually tastes like real watermelon as opposed to a Jolly Rancher.

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  20. Luigi's lemon has the icy texture you would think real italian ice should be. However I got the waterermelon and blue rasberry, they were a bit gummy.

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  21. Lindys is the best!

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  22. Lindy's wins hands down at my house! I get it at Shaw's and before I can even get to the freezer to have oneafter a long,hot day at work,the box of 6 has disappeared! It reminds me of the italian ice I bought from ice cream trucks when I was a kid. Luigi's is OK. It definitely reminds me more of a sorbet. Try Lindy's lemon or orange!

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  23. Had them both but Lindy's comes out a strong winner in our house.

    As others have stated, Lindy's texture is Italian ice and the flavors are just more enjoyable and not unnatural tasting.

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  24. It's all about the ingredients, and the marketing hype. Lindy's is a far more highly processed product. Luigi's does not contain High Fructose Corn Syrup,Dextrose, Lecithin (Soy), Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Carrageen. Luigi's contains NONE of those ingredients

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  25. Lindy's is far better than Luigi's. I agree with a previous comment that Luigi's has a funny after taste. Lindy's taste like real Italian ice. Luigi's is a fake. It tastes like frozen rainwater. I used to buy Lindy's all the time at Walt's Food but now they only carry Luigi's. Forget it!

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  26. Luigi's kicks Lindy's ICE. The Mango flavor is like a religious figure dropped a magic elixir on your tongue. Scraping it with your spoon, so satisfying. Popping that paper lid off. Lindy's is like trailer trash in comparison.

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  27. I agree that Luigi must have changed. The gooey texture is unpleasant and bitter after taste is even worse. I recently rediscovered Lindy after it disappeared from local retailers. It is vastly superior and I wouldn't buy Luigi as long as Lindy is available.

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  28. I loved the old Luigi's formula. It always had in the bottom a thick wonderful almost syrup highly concentrated ice. Now that's gone. Also if you leave it in the freezer to long, it will develop disgusting gooey substance on the top.
    I've never tried Lindy, but now I will look for it.

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  29. As almost everyone else has said, Lindy's is by far the better tasting Italian ice. Luigi's has changed their formula and has a terrible chemical taste now. Lindy's (cherry/watermelon/raspberry/lemon) all have a more natural, flavorful taste. Its the closest I can get to the Italian ice I used to get as a kid when the trucks came down the streets!

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  30. Luigi's tastes like a frozen chemical stew. Lindy's watermelon tastes like real watermelon, Luigi's watermelon tastes like a Jolly Rancher. Lindy's has a consistency like real italian ice that you would get from a street vendor - much smoother than shaved ice/snow cone, but not overly soft either. Luigi's sherbert like mouth feel makes me thing there is too much of a stablizing/thickening agent ingredient like guar gum - you want to retain some icy-ness - like a snow ball after a fresh wet slushy snow. I only discovered this after mistaking Luigi's for Lindy's. I won't buy Luigi's if it was the only thing on the shelf. The kids didn't mind finishing off the Luigi's that I bought by accident, but never again!

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  31. I think both do a good job and you people should stop saying bad things about them!!!!!!!!!!!

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  32. LIndys is by far the very best, Liuigis is a disgrace

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  33. Lindys ORANGE Italian Ice is AWESOME!!!!!!! PERIOD....Nuff said!

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  34. I just discovered Lindy's this year. It is scrumptious! Way better than Luigi's. 😋

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  35. Lindys all the way, the texture is what real Italian ice is all about, Luigis is more liker sherbert/sorbet. Lindys is much more refreshing, especially on a hot summers day!

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  36. Lindy's is definitely sweeter, slushier, and overall better. With that said, Luigi's is no slouch either. I agree that the it was a lot better years ago, but I'm particularly fond of the Chocolate flavor. It tastes like a Fudgesicle in a cup.

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  37. Anyone notice any difference in Lindy's lately? It's usually my favorite, but the ones I bought yesterday taste different, and are actually pretty gross. I had a few cups left over from the batch I bought before this one, and there is a definite difference. Not sure if they changed their recipe or if I just got a bad batch somehow, but I hope it's just a one-off thing. I hate Luigi's! If Lindy's goes down the drain, too, I don't know what I'll do! I guess go back to popsicles... sigh.

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  38. I was a Luigi's fan for years, and then I bumped into Lindy's. There's something "gentler" about the taste. It seems a little more polished. I'm now seriously hooked on Lindy's.

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  39. WWhatevers on sale

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  40. Had both brands and I enjoy both. But, I personally prefer Lindy's. Their Orange and Warermelon flavors are excellent.
    Just sayin...

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  41. Totally agree with your analysis. Lindy's is refreshing. I don't like the glutinous Luigi's. Lindy's is my Happy Place!

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  42. Lindys by far! Don't fight ice! Stick it in the microwave for 20 seconds and enjoy!

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  43. Lindy's is awesome!!! If you let it soften a bit before you eat it, the texture is amazing. I even put the container in the microwave for 20 seconds. My favorite is raspberry-lemon, but this year they have split the package with 3 strawberry-lemon and I don't really love that flavor. But even so, I still love it more than any of the Luigi's.

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  44. Im a total Lindys fan . No funky after taste and not so much dye !

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  45. Lindy's or Marino's tastes just like the ice i had a as a kid.Not a fan of Luigis

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  46. I have Lindy's and Luigis in my supermarket. I think they're moor of a national brand. Over here in new england however, we have the hands down winner by leaps and bounds: MARINOS ITALIAN ICE! Marinos always was the best, and they recently have been distributing 6 packs to supermarkets. In case you didn't remember Marinos, let me jog your memory... Think of the label, it was a yellow label with the roman warrior in green running along the cup. When we were kids they used to come in paper cups.

    Ive tried Luigis and Lindys and sorry... Marinos all the way.

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  47. sorry, but I have to object
    http://www.onsecondscoop.com/2011/08/marianos-fat-free-italian-ice.html

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  48. OMG, THANK YOU! I just (grudgingly) bought Luigi's because I wanted Italian ice, and that's all they had. I remember the old Luigi's, and miss it. This ice that you can scoop out with a plastic spoon is NOT what I really want. I was so disappointed when they changed their formula. Now I know what my alternative is! Lindy's, I'm coming for ya!

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  49. I'm eating a Lindy's root beer Italian ice right now, so good on my throat since I have the flu. I love the lemon too. I used to and still do like Luigi's but just tried the Lindy's and like the texture a little better.

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  50. Lindy's is more refreshing. Luigi's is goopy/gummy/goowie. Lindy's flavor is better. The Orange is the best. Most stores can't keep Lindy's stocked full year round. Luigi's is always stocked and doesn't seem to flow nearly as much.

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  51. Lindy's is more refreshing. Luigi's is goopy/gummy/goowie. Lindy's flavor is better. The Orange is the best. Most stores can't keep Lindy's stocked full year round. Luigi's is always stocked and doesn't seem to flow nearly as much.

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  52. I live on Lindy's lemon Italian ice! Seriously... I have them every day. I prefer the icy texture so I let them melt completely b/efore I put them in the freezer. The result is the most amazing lemon flavor combined with a totally satisfying crunch and a refreshing chill.
    I could never get past the weird aftertaste of Luigi's. It reminded me of soap.
    I would hate to live in a world without Lindy's.

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  53. Marino's is the best! I just had Luigi's for the first time just now which is why I'm on this site at the moment. It was pretty good but I was expecting it to be more hard like an ice. I never tried Lindy's

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  54. I've tried both in the cherry; I like the Lindy's ices better. Luigi's has a thicker feel, like a sherbet. Lindy's is more like a slushy; it's lot like the shaved ices we used to get on Maxwell Street. Lindy's flavor can vary in intensity from one box to another but not often. Unexpected bonus, Lindy's black cherry eases nausea. I have no idea why, it just does.

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  55. Lindy's hands down!

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  56. Interesting discussion. My wife bought a supermarket six pack of Lindy’s way out here in California. My first reaction was disappointment. Then I compared the box packaging with the real thing. “Where is the scoop? Nothing but a flat top.” I consider that grounds for false advertising. Then I found the ice to be solidly frozen. I had to wait about 10 minutes for it to be used for spoon-eating. And the cup is hard plastic, not like when I was a Brooklyn kid. Then it was in a soft paper cup (the final joy was in squeezing from the bottom the last few kernels of ice crystals to our mouths). Ah, the joy of old age reliving our youth). But the flavor was decent!

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  57. I had my first Italian ice on the streets of NYC back in the 70s and loved it. Found a brand in the grocery stores many years later and tried it and found it to be really good. Then that brand disappeared and Luigi's showed up. Tried that brand once and hated the taste of it - so gave up on Italian ices again. Our local Harris Teeter in the Outer Banks had a sale on Lindy's ice and I took a chance on it. I have a feeling that Lindy's is the brand I first found in the grocery stores way back when and am loving the orange. I have to agree with others - pop it into the microwave and have instant gratification instead of fighting the rock hard frozen product right out of the freezer. The ice I had in NYC was just a tad more silky than Lindy's but there is not horrid aftertaste with Lindy's as there is with Luigi's. I was trying to find out what company Luigi's had bought out to bring a demise to the brand I had found and loved and found this site. Thanks for the site, I think you answered my question. BTW - Lindy's in manufactured in western NC - Charlotte I think.

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  58. personally, I like Luigi's better than Lindy's BUT Rosati Ice is the King of Italian Ice https://www.rosatiice.com/

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  59. Lindys is the bomb! It’s the closest taste to the best Italian ices ever- Gino’s!
    Gino’s is very hard to find in NYC these days.
    I grew up eating Gino’s daily and have been going through withdrawals and am looking for a 12 Step Program for Ices addiction.

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  60. Lindy's is so much tastier than Luigis. Luigis is not italian ice. Lindy's is the closest I can get to an authentic Brooklyn NY italian style ice down here in FL. Come on Lindy's you really need to get your products in Publix, all your flavors, not just two or three.

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  61. Authentic-Lindy's.No after taste. Let it sit for a couple minutes outside the freezer.I am Italian and was brought up on Italian ice-authentic ice,Lindy's is very close to this.Also when Lindy's and Luigi'e goes on sale at Giant -Food Lion and a couple others it goes Lindy's that is 2/$4.00-Luigi's is 2/$5.00--why? Lindy's better taste better price,not even close.

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  62. Lindys...lemon the best ever. Luigis is syrupy mess with bad after taste. Lindys so refreshing

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  63. I don't like Luigi's at all. Lindy's flavors are all delicious and I especially like their root beer!

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  64. I love them both - Lindy's is best I think, if you put it in the microwave for 15 seconds. Mango is a fav - in each brand.

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  65. An 8-year debate on Italian ice! God I love America. BUT... Lindy's Watermelon and Lemon are clear winners!

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  66. Lindy's root beer barely has any root beer flavor, but it is sweet... too sweet.
    Luigi's all the way!

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  67. The Winn Dixie offers them from time to time at BOGO (Buy One and Get One FREE) So, my Question is would you buy the one on SALE or stick with your preferred brand, whether that’s Luigi or Lindi’s ? I like Lindi’s much more better, but I like money in my pocket more. 😄

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  68. You guys just don't get it. Luigi's is the best, for the very reasons that you reject it! Sorbet is supposed to be light. Remember, it's occasionally used to clear the palate in a 5 course meal. The flavor for me is genuine, very light, and that's exactly the way it should be!

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  69. I've always preferred Luigi's. Smoother texture, don't have to wait long to enjoy, flavor is better. Overall, just a better product, IMO.

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  70. Luigi’s texture with lindys t flavor imagine

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  71. Lindy's is the absolute best. Super refreshing!!! Luigi's is sorbet, not ice.

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  72. EVERYONE HERE IS WRONG!!!!!!

    MARINOS HAS THE BEST ITALIAN ICE HANDS DOWN.

    MARINOS PISTOL WHIPS LINDYS AND LUIGI’S INTO SUBMISSION ANY DAY OF THE YEAR.

    LUIGI’SAND LINDYS HAVE A NASTY ASS CHEMICAL AFTER TASTE.

    GET WIT MARINOS ITALIAN ICE WATERMELON AND YOU’LL DIVORCE LINDY AND LUIGI ONCE AND FORALL!!

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  73. WHY ARE YOU YELLING?

    There's a reason no one is talking about Mariano's, it's because it's terrible.
    https://www.onsecondscoop.com/2011/08/marianos-fat-free-italian-ice.html

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  74. I’d go with Marino’s. Never had lindys but looks like I gotta give them a try

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  75. Lindy's is slightly better than Luigi's but the best supermarket It. ice is by far Marino's.

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  76. Luigi, hands down. Currently have lindys and Luigi in the fridge. There was a batch of Luigi that didn't taste right. However, customer service was above and beyond. Only down fall is our local grocery store is making a full switch over to lindy. Luigi for the win

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