From the outside, the Southport Pizza House appears relatively unchanged.

Plastic outdoor tables line the sidewalk between the Russell Insurance Agency and the bank; they are covered by red and white checked tablecloths and surrounded by folding chairs.

Sunlight streams through the newly grown leaves bookending the mall where this locally famous pizzeria sits, quiet, at the far end of Southport village’s downtown.

The inside of the pizzeria, however, shows a very different scene.

Since owner Sammy Palik decided to open an ice cream and Italian ice stand inside his pizzeria on May 2, his store has been inundated with customers—regulars and newcomers alike.

The Pizza House, which has been operating for seven years, caters to both Fairfield and Westport residents.

Its location at 295 Pequot Ave., between the harbor and Southport Yacht Club and the beach, is supreme. It is a meeting place, says Palik, for cycling, riding, and walking.”

Pedestrians, parents and children weave in and out of the Spic & Span Market, Switzer’s Pharmacy and an antique store downtown, just a few of the many shops and services in the village.

But, as both Palik and his brother, Angelo Varal, say, “something was missing.”

So they began serving ice cream.

Currently, they offer 10 flavors of both Italian ice and ice cream.

Italian ice comes in the traditional cherry and blue raspberry, but also the more colorful cotton candy.

Ice cream ranges from vanilla and coffee to Oreo and the enigmatic “Graham Central Station.”

The ice cream, according to Varal, is custom-ordered from New York.

The ice cream also already has its fans among young and old.

Before 12 p.m. on a Saturday, three families had already come in, each child timidly asking for ice cream. Palik excused himself to serve them personally.

The bar sits unobtrusively in the far corner of the store. The corner, painted light purple, is topped by a hand-lettered chalk sign with the ice cream’s prices.  

Though brand new, the newly renovated corner seems like it has always been there.

“I get a lot of good feedback,” Palik said of the decision to open up an ice cream bar.

Varal echoed: “[The customers] are like, ‘Wow, smart!’”

The Southport Pizza House is open seven days a week and serves Sicilian pies, traditional pizzas, and simple desserts, in addition to ice cream.