The “ice ball man” is back on the North Side.
Gus Kalaris has been manning the bright orange ice ball cart under the rainbow-colored umbrella near West Park on Pittsburgh’s North Side for seven decades. The stand opened for the season on Wednesday, just in time for the Pirates home opener on Thursday.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune-Review
Gus Kalaris shaves a 50-pound block of ice at Gus & Yiayia’s on Pittsburgh’s North Side on April 8.
On the menu at Gus & Yiayia’s are three items: flavored ice balls, peanuts and popcorn.
“I love the mix of people that come here,” said Kalaris on Thursday, as he shaved the 50-pound block of ice for what seemed like a never-ending line of customers. “They come from all walks of life and from all over the city.”