It's the great Swansea debate: are you Team Joe's or Team Verdi's? Both serve up delicious Italian ice cream and both have been around forever, or at least it feels that way - but each offers different ice-cream flavours and toppings.
Whilst some Swansea residents say people who grew up in the city prefer Joe's and those that moved to the city from elsewhere turn to Verdi's, others say it's the taste of the ice cream - or what the ice cream parlour looks like- that directs people in choosing their favourite.
Of course, as well as these two iconic brands, we also have GG's in Penclawdd, and Forte's in Mumbles, as well as a wide range of dessert cafes across the Swansea area offering delicious ice-creams to tantalise our taste-buds. Even though the weather may be cold and wet, spring is just around the corner - and we can't wait for an ice-cream in the sun!
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We asked our social media followers which local ice-cream they preferred out of Joe's and Verdi's - and we had almost 1,000 responses. There was nothing scientific or definitive about it - it wasn't a poll - but we did find that slightly more people seemed to choose Joe's ice cream over Verdi's.
There were also, however, dozens of comments advocating for GG's, Forte's and other local ice cream businesses too. For more stories about Swansea go here, and you can also get the biggest Swansea news stories straight to your inbox with our newsletter. Scroll down for what people had to say in response to the big Joe's vs Verdi's debate:
'Joe's not only best in Swansea but best in the world!'
In favour of Joe's ice cream, Nia Clague said it's "not only best in Swansea" but "best in the world" - a feeling echoed by hundreds of people. Sian Addiscott said: "Joe's! Every time! Best ice cream in the world! Vanilla!" whilst Kelly N Richard Franks said: "Joe's all the way for best ice cream out there!"
Liz Curtis said: "Only Joe's. Every time," whilst Robert Ley said: "Joe's every time for me and my family!" and Charlotte Louise said: "Joe's is 100% hands down the best. I used to go there for my birthday as a child for a knickerbocker glory, now I just like it with vermicelli on top." Janet Bromley commented: "Definitely Joe's, I've never tasted ice cream like it, it's absolutely delicious!"
Other fans echoed Joe's famous slogan. "It has to be Joe's every time," said Hayley Mabe. "Everything else is just ice cream." "Joe's, and if someone has any other flavour than vanilla, they aren't from Swansea, fact!," joked John White. "Definitely Joe's 100%" added Elaine Curtis. "As the saying goes, everything else is just ice cream!!"
Others said they liked to visit both Joe's and Verdi's for different things. "Joe's for ice cream and Verdi's for coffee," said Ken Wheeler. "Best of both worlds!" "Joe's ice cream is the best but I love Verdi's for a coffee and food but not the ice cream!" added Margaret Gaylor.
"Easy: Joe's for vanilla, Verdi's for any other flavour," added Sophia Estepanian. Whilst Hugh Jones admitted to liking both ice cream companies: "Joe's the best followed by Verdi's," he said. "Both bloody delicious!"
'Verdi's is the best'
Discussing what she thought when she compared Verdi's and Joe's, Michelle Guy said: "Verdi's was better when I tasted it!" Christine Solloway agreed: "Verdi's is best. Joe's is too sweet."
Lisa Loo Zippy commented: "I am certainly a Verdi’s girl! Best [ice cream] by far," and Becc Bowen agreed: "Verdi's is best! The flavour choice alone wins it!" whilst Raema Gunton praised Verdi's allergy-friendly options and said: "Verdi's is the best. I am dairy free, the ice cream is good, gluten free cakes and pizzas."
"Both superb ice cream," Cheryl Danton Phillips said. "Love Verdi's' fresh strawberry sundae served in a glass dish with whipped cream - but also love Joe's' Coffee Sundae. Just wish Joe's would sell their ice cream sundaes in glass dishes though and use fresh fruit when available."
Staff at Port Talbot Spiritualist Church commented: "Don’t like Joe's, always be Verdi's for me and all my family - Thank God we all like different things, the world would be very boring!" "Verdi's and Forte's all the way for me," added commenter Leonardo Edwards.
'We have lots of great choices in Swansea'
Whilst the majority of commenters on our post said they preferred Joe's ice cream to others in Swansea, it's certainly safe to say we have lots of fantastic choices here, as commenter Darren Thomas noted: "The fact that everyone is saying between Joe's, Verdi's, GGs, Gwynne's, Ripples, Fortes amongst others show we have great ice cream in the city!" whilst Kris Davies said: "Joe's, Verdi's, GGs and Forte's - we are spoilt for choice really."
Praising GG's in Penclawdd, Mike Morgan-Swinhoe said: "GG's best for gelato," and Selina Shakoor said: "GG's for me, followed by Verdi's. I don't like Joe's at all," whilst Tracey Hagis said: "Joe's is nice but I personally find it sickly. I love GG's' Turkish Delight and since they also do gluten-free cones - it's a winner!"
Cresci's in Skewen was also praised by commenters. "Cresci's is the best ice cream by miles," said Yvonne England. "Cresci's beats them all," added Geraint Morgan.
"Neither [Joes nor Verdi's," said David Jones. "Fortes Limeslade every time!"
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