Ed Irving is like Dr. Frankenstein. He knows what to mix and match to create something special.
His first creation dates back to the '70s when he and his best friend Bob Greenberg would drive around town selling their refreshing frozen lemonade, which would later be known as Eegee's. One day, they were parked at a construction site when one of the workers requested they start selling some lunch items.
Since both men are from Providence, Rhode Island and grew up around Italian influences, Irving made a few Italian grinders for the workers. The next day, the sandwiches sold like hotcakes — until someone else had a request.
The sandwich was too spicy for him, and he wanted Irving to offer something else. Irving took apart the grinder and examined the ingredients. What kind of new creation could he make with this?
After mixing and matching the ingredients, he came up with a classic ham and cheese sandwich, packing a few to take to the workers the next day. Like the grinders, it was a hit.
Fast forward decades later and Irving had retired. It had been years since he and Greenberg sold Eegee's.
But then Irving began working his magic again, this time in an empty west-side Kentucky Fried Chicken building at 1905 W. Grant Road.
Because Irving and another friend own various properties around town, he started taking pieces from each of the chains, placing them together to see what kind of new restaurant he could create.
Chairs from Subway, countertops from McDonalds, trashcans from KFC and pizza ovens from Pieology began to fill the empty space. Soon, all these pieces came together to create Slice & Ice.
This Frankenstein creation quickly became a local favorite, where customers could get a slice of pizza or stuffed heroes for lunch, of course with a refreshing Italian ice on the side.
Now, Irving is bringing his creation to the east side — to a building that his children grew up in years ago.
Slice & Ice will be opening a new location at 6810 E. Tanque Verde Road, where east-siders will get the chance to indulge in ranch fries, strawberry lemonade ice and slices of pepperoni pizza.
Slice & Ice serves sandwiches, pizza and Italian ice.
While Irving wasn’t planning to return to the restaurant business after selling Eegee's in 2006, when the building on the west side became vacant in 2020, he figured he should dip his toes back in.
“Bob likes to play golf. I don’t,” Irving said. “I had to find something else to do with my time.”
Since they had a pizza oven that came from another property, Irving decided to put pizza on the menu. One problem arose though: Irving didn’t know how to make pizza.
Thankfully, a former pizzeria worker knew all the ins and outs of pizza making. They worked together to craft the perfect pizza dough, making it fresh each day.
The pizza at Slice & Ice has a thin crust, that way it can be cooked in three minutes and ready quickly for those waiting in the drive-thru. Barbecue chicken, hot links and Buffalo chicken are just a few of the toppings you can get on your pizza here.
Just like his truck back in the '70s, Slice & Ice also offers a variety of sandwiches, referred to as heroes on the menu. Turkey, hot link, tuna and meatball are all available.
Slice & Ice's menu continues to grow with different items added on frequently. The newest addition is their round sandwiches, which come with a round bun that is made fresh in the kitchen. So far, Irving said their chicken parmesan round is becoming a popular item with customers.
The standout on the menu has to be their Italian 3 Meat & Cheese Hero. A soft, fluffy roll is stuffed with Genoa salami, ham and pepperoni, topped off with mozzarella, parmesan, tomato, lettuce, slices of pickles, onion, olives, pepperoncini, Italian dressing and, finally, mayonnaise.
When you unwrap your hero, you're met with a giant sandwich filled with ingredients bursting out the sides. Just the smell of the sandwich is nostalgic, like I had been transported back in time and was a little girl again enjoying a sandwich with my family after a long day of shopping in Tucson.
After finishing the first half, I was flooded with memories of field trips we would take in elementary school, sitting in Irving’s former restaurant and chowing down on grinders as we showed off what trinkets we bought at museum gift shops. The flavors meld together in your mouth: tangy, savory and chewy.
Before I knew it, my sandwich was gone and I had longed for the time I still had the two halves left. But my sadness didn’t last long when I remembered I still had a side of crispy crinkle-cut fries and a side of ranch. And yes, the ranch is absolutely amazing.
Finally, I finished my lunch off with something sweet: one of their gourmet Italian ices. Irving said they make their ice using natural flavors and cane sugar. While they have special flavors daily, their staple menu includes orange pineapple, strawberry lemonade, watermelon, lime and sweet tea. I got a small sweet tea and had a big smile on my face upon the first bite.
The fluffy, smooth ice tastes exactly like a freshly brewed iced tea. It isn't overly sweet or artificial tasting. It's refreshing and delicious.
Many people make the drive to the west side during their lunch breaks, asking Irving when he plans to expand his restaurant and hoping he'll open a space closer to them. Irving never intended to open another Slice & Ice, until the perfect spot became available.
When the Eegee’s on Tanque Verde closed last year, and since he still owned the building, he saw the perfect opportunity to expand. Coming back to the Tanque Verde location is like a homecoming for him; this was the Eegee’s his children grew up in.
“As soon as that building became vacant, I started getting calls,” Irving said. “My old neighbors said, 'I hope you’re moving back in.'”
They got their wish. Irving hopes to open in the next six months.
Irving is now working his Dr. Frankenstein magic again and instead of pitchforks, people will be lining up with forks in tow, ready to take a bite of whatever delicious concoction he comes up with next.
