My favorite treats in Grand Junction are from Gelato Junction on Main Street. The shop has a fun atmosphere with scattered pedal cars, warm yellow walls and murals.

Service means a great deal because I would rather take my business elsewhere if the staff is rude or unfriendly. I could never see service being a problem at Gelato Junction. You may have to wait a few minutes to get service during their busier times, but you will always be greeted with a smile.

Gelato is like ice cream, but 37 times better. Gelato has less butterfat than ice cream, which makes it healthier for you, but this also leads to a more intense flavor. It’s also kept a bit warmer than ice cream, so it melts in your mouth.

Owners Jim and Paula Hawkins use all natural and local ingredients as often as possible. Their berries, fruits, some vegetables, honey, dairy, even lavender are all from local sources.

Along with their amazing gelato, they have traditional ice cream (with a higher butterfat content than Ben & Jerry’s, which makes it creamier), Queen Bee chocolates, cannolis, coffee drinks, soup and rolls.

If you like coffee, try an affagato. It’s coffee, and instead of cream and sugar, they put a giant scoop of your favorite gelato in it. It is sinful. They also make gelato pies with a graham cracker crust, layered with whatever flavors you request.

Paula is experimenting with gelato jelly rolls. As the weather gets warmer, they’ll also bring out frappuccinos and smoothies.
They have traditional flavors like chocolate, strawberry, and cake batter. Some of their more unique flavors for the more adventerous type have been rose, lavender, avocado, egg nog, and pumpkin pie. In the summer, they offer flavors like Palisade Peach, lemon (sometimes with basil) forest berry and Olathe Sweet Corn.

Gelato prices are $3.50 for a small, $5.50 for a medium and $6.75 for a large. Prices for larger sizes (such as pints to take home) are clearly marked. The small size could easily be shared by two people. I can never finish mine alone.

I am completely addicted to this place. If I can afford it, I go about once a week. They even invite you to come and sample some of their flavors, so don’t worry about getting a flavor that you don’t like. This month however, for CMU students who present their MAVcard they are offering 50 percent off a second gelato.