LANSING | Gayety's Chocolates and Ice Cream Co.'s has been proclaimed one of the nation's top 50 and Illinois' best ice cream parlor by USA Today.

"Wow, what an honor," said owner Jim Flessor, the great nephew of George Papageorge who opened the business 90 years ago. "We've been recognized before, but this is the first time on the national level. This is the best kept secret and now it's our time ."

The recognition was in the "Great American Bites" feature in the publication's travel section.

"Gayety's Chocolates & Ice Cream Co. has been scooping homemade ice cream in Lansing since 1920 in flavors such as chocolate silk, strawberry cream and Gold Coast butter pecan," the review says. "Dig into sundaes like the Gayety's special three scoops smothered in chopped fruit and whipped cream or take a hand-packed quart to go."

Flessor credits the parlor's success to its products, its presentation and its service.

"We treat our customer like you would if they were in your home, like they‘re welcome guests," he said.

The parlor's frozen products are high-density, premium ice cream, which is hand churned in small, three gallon batches using cream that is 14 percent butterfat.

"Once people get a taste, I know they'll love it," Flessor said.

The shop's mainstay flavor selection is limited to just seven: gourmet vanilla bean, chocolate silk, strawberry cream, peppermint, tropical banana, gold coast butter pecan and classic chocolate chip. It also offers other seasonal favorites such as pina colada, peach and coconut for the summer, and other special specials in the fall, winter and spring.

"What we do, we do the best," Flessor said. "We're a family favorite. Many of our customers have been coming here with their families for years. We've seen all generations from the time they‘re kids to when they bring families of their own and then their grandchildren."

Vanilla bean and chocolate silk are the favorites for cones, but customers also love the sundaes, ice cream pies and the hand-dipped, chocolate-covered bars, he said.

"I'm a little biased, but after 100 years, we're still around after surviving depressions, wars, recessions," Flessor said. "\We're something unique and with our Chicago history, we're a great way to celebrate."

Gayety's chocolates are available in many locations around the Chicago area, including department stores, hotels, O'Hare International Airport and Horseshoe Casino in Hammond. The ice cream is sold only at its location on Ridge Road and as ice cream bars at the casino.

However, that may change in the future, Flessor said.

"We're interested in expanding with dealearships, not franchises," he said. "There are parties interested in opening locations to sell our products exclusively. It may take some time, but it's coming."