When Crystal Idley opened The Ice Bucket in June 2020, she had no idea how fast her family-run food truck business would grow near Akron.
It all started with frozen treats.
Idley began selling ice cream novelties, along with soft shaved ice and a signature treat — the Sherbie, which blends sherbet and punch into a colorful, refreshing shake perfect for hot summer days.
The frozen and cool menu includes 24 flavors of sherbet shakes and more than 40 flavors of shaved ice.
One year later, her customers demanded food items and heartier meals and snacks. Realizing there was a serious appetite for fresh, simple comfort food, Idley added a small hot dog cart.
Today, that little silver cart has evolved into Da Dawg House, a second food truck that sells junior-size and 1/4-pound, all-beef hot dogs, Sloppy Joes, smash burgers and fresh-cut fries. The food trucks serve at 2088 Copley Road — the space features picnic tables with umbrellas and cheerful decorations.
“We have a wide range of customers,” Idley said. “We have Copley people, West Side Akron people, older and younger. You name it, they come. We have friendly service and quality food. Freshness is very important; I’m at the store daily. And everything is made -to -order.”
For those with dietary restrictions, The Ice Bucket offers dairy-free Sherbies and sugar-free shaved ice made with stevia. Da Dawg House has vegetarian options, and its fries are made without peanut oil.
Idley said all tips collected at the food trucks support the Chianti Idley Music and Art Foundation, a nonprofit that honors her late daughter, Chianti, known by family and friends at Copley High School as “Kiki.”
Kiki loved music. And art. That’s why the foundation provides free music and art lessons to youth at Copley High School.
Visit The Ice Bucket and Da Dawg House on Copley Road, or check out some of the eats on Facebook or Instagram. Idley plans to operate the food trucks through late October.
The jewel of Akron is its people. They’re vibrant and resilient. Flawed, yet thoughtful and nurturing. And all of them come with compelling stories. That’s why we launched “Akron in 330.” This series offers a glimpse into everyday folks’ journeys across our many neighborhoods — 330 words at a time. Know someone we should consider? Tell us here.
