Gil & Bert's Ice Cream Expands and Goes Mobile

Food trucks are big business these days, especially now that they can be found not only on roads throughout the area, but on Food Network and Cooking Channel, where they’re shown serving up everything from burgers to sushi, and from egg sandwiches to lobster.

Cranbury residents and ice cream lovers can rejoice, the area now has its very own version of these culinary delights on wheels—Big Bertie, the ice cream truck from Gil & Bert’s.

“Food trucks are the rage because they are the least expensive way to expand or start a business,” said Christine Ondocin, owner of Gil & Bert’s Ice Cream on Main Street. “They’re much less of a risk. I’m doing it because I’m expanding. I’ve looked at space and don’t want to pay $50,000 for a new space.”

Gil & Bert’s fans can get a peek at the new truck during an Open Truck event on  Sunday, March 17, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Kids will be able to climb on board and see what a real ice truck looks like. There will be a bubble maker, a PA system and free novelty's that the children can pull out of the freezer themselves.

Ondocin said the truck will go to festivals, corporate events, private parties, street festivals, weddings and more to begin. It’s first “on the road” event will be the NJ Folk Festival at Rutgers University on April 27.

“We’re so excited. That will be our first big outing with Bertie. But if weather turns nice before April 1, I’ll just pull up to the curb and start serving ice cream,” said Ondocin.

The truck will carry the same homemade ice cream that it’s main store carries, with hand dipped ice cream, shakes and hot fudge toppings. Ondocin says the truck also will be decorated to resemble the storefront, with shutters and a yellow awning to make visitors feel at home.

But even though the fan truck may look and taste like home, Ondocin is quick to say that there is only on Downtown Cranbury, which has a charm she credits for much of Gil & Bert’s success.

“Downtown Cranbury is a draw,” she said. “It’s classic. It’s comfortable, and people like to sit and eat their ice cream and watch the world go by.”

Gil & Bert’s is located at 69 N. Main St. its season begins April 1 and runs through Oct. 31.