Lizzy’s vies for title of ‘America’s Best Ice Cream’

On a bustling street in downtown Waltham, Lizzy’s Homemade Ice Cream has secured a place for itself within the lives of older and younger residents alike. Since its opening in 1995, the shop has served as a community staple and a classic hangout spot for the city’s youth.

When you arrive at the shop on Moody Street, you’ll understand why.

Before you even walk in, the shop’s cozy atmosphere is visible at the storefront. The windows feature brightly colored ice cream drawings, grabbing any passerby’s attention almost instantly. A statue of a dairy cow greets you at the door, and as you walk inside, you’ll notice that the walls are adorned with photos and newspaper clippings of the past.

This summer Lizzy’s is a contestant in an online tournament to pick “America’s Best Ice Cream,” representing the state of Massachusetts. The competition is being conducted by a company called The64.com, which invites people to cast votes for the best product or store in a range of categories, from chicken wings to bakeries.

Lizzy’s heritage and ownership help it stand out. 

A high school job becomes the family business

Lizzy’s current owner, Waltham native Miriam Benitez, began working for the company when she was in high school. Benitez continued her work through high school and into college, before leaving home for some time. When she returned to Waltham after college, she came back to the shop and was hired full time as the general manager.

Benitez held that position until 2016, when the founder, Nick Pappas, was ready to retire. He sold the shop to Benitez and her family, who have continued to bring life to the business since then. There is now a second branch in Harvard Square.

“My family really fell in love with the business, so we gave our all,” Benitez said. 

The shop features 39 ice cream flavors and includes vegan, gluten-free and no-sugar-added options. It also sells a variety of other desserts, such as sorbets and cheesecakes, as well as hot drinks. 

Benitez and her team make all of these products in-house. Their secret? They produce their goods in small batches using high-quality ingredients, giving them a homemade taste that customers love.

“I have dairy intolerance, so the vegan option was a great choice,” said Melanie Ann, a Waltham resident and longtime customer of Lizzy’s. “The [vegan] ice cream is very light, flavorful, sweet but not too sweet, and has a little bit of a coconut undertone to it. It’s very good.”

“Today I ordered salted caramel pretzel,” Quinn Pham, a Waltham student, said. “I usually don’t like combinations of things that are sweet and savory, but I think that they executed it really well in this ice cream.”

Are you a fan of Lizzy’s? They have made it to the next round of voting for “America’s Best Ice Cream.” You can support them to reach the next round here.