324492 Sat Sep 09 04:01:39 -0700 2006 128 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1864563 Not gelato. Not frozen custard. Not in your grocer's freezer. And not in a fancy restaurant. My question is, where do they make the best ice cream, with interesting flavors, made in small batches from fresh ingredients, that are just totally delicious? The place that comes to mind for me is Toscanini's in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I still dream of their caramel ice cream. It's almost bitter with that burnt sugar edge. They do well with all the warm spices--cinnamon, clove, cardamom--and I seem to remember some good chocolate variations too. Educate me! Where else is this happening? Sat Sep 09 04:01:39 -0700 2006 10331 heidipie 1 1864591 I grew up on Polly Ann's ice cream on Noriega Street in San Francisco. My best friend and I would get the bubble gum flavor as little girls. It was pink ice cream with gum balls in it. Polly Ann's always had traditional flavors and flavors like durion (sp? that spikey fruit that smells and tastes like blue cheese) Their retail shop is closed but they still do wholesale in the city. Sat Sep 09 04:24:04 -0700 2006 1864563 29932 MIss G 2 1864635 A 2nd to Polly Ann's. I believe they re-opened again after a remodeling this past year w/ the son taking over...or did they close again? There's and Mitchell's in the S.F., many tropical flavors and unique flavors made on the premises. Sat Sep 09 05:03:41 -0700 2006 1864591 27275 ML8000 3 1868855 Agree about Mitchell's (688 San Jose Ave., at 29th, (415) 648-2300). Absolutely superb. Mon Sep 11 18:31:44 -0700 2006 1864635 10134 David Kahn 4 1896723 Count me in on the Mitchell's bandwagon. I finally started to appreciate ube, much to my family's surprise! I also miss Polly Ann's time to see if it's still near grandma's. Sat Sep 23 06:50:50 -0700 2006 1868855 40643 pizookie75 1 1864613 A Danish ice cream shop in Duxbury Mass called Far Fars, it is so good it should be illegal Sat Sep 09 04:44:27 -0700 2006 1864563 11445 Winemark 1 1864676 Herrell's, in Northampton and Cambridge, MA. Richardson's Dairy, near Andover, MA. Sat Sep 09 05:53:57 -0700 2006 1864563 10203 CynD 2 1864899 Absolutely Herrell's, no question. Sat Sep 09 14:28:50 -0700 2006 1864676 10811 Das Ubergeek 3 1865436 Another vote for both Herrell's (malted vanilla!) and for Richardson's. Crescent Ridge Dairy in Sharon is excellent, too. Sat Sep 09 20:02:15 -0700 2006 1864899 16490 Bostonbob3 2 1866629 How does it compare with Bart's? Sun Sep 10 17:47:38 -0700 2006 1864676 17463 PseudoNerd 3 1866737 I'm not familiar with Bart's, so I can't say. Anyone? Sun Sep 10 18:52:13 -0700 2006 1866629 10203 CynD 4 1867352 Bart's French Toast was one of my favorite memories from college. Herrell's chocolate pudding is better but I have to give a thumbs up to IceJack in Norwood center for their Peanut Butter Oreo and the creamiest Strawberry Cheesecake (with whole berries!) ever. Plus you can't beat the price for homemade ice cream. www.icejackinc.com Mon Sep 11 00:26:37 -0700 2006 1866737 13218 KitchenAid 2 1867767 I lived blocks from the Herrell's in Allston in the 80s and lived on that Chocolate Pudding flavor. Glad the old innovator is still going strong. Mon Sep 11 04:00:18 -0700 2006 1864676 10331 heidipie 2 1897362 Another vote for Herrell's, as my runner-up. I used to go to the one in Allston. This time of year they start making their wonderful pumpkin ice cream. Great hot fudge too. But I have to agree with heidipie about Toscanini's - it's the greatest. I liked similar flavors as well - the cinnamon the chocolate white chocolate chip. And while I'm in a Boston/Cambridge frame of mind, let me say a word about the long departed, much missed Bailey's. Gourmet flavors are cool, but there's nothing better than old-fashioned ice cream parlor ice cream. Sat Sep 23 20:05:46 -0700 2006 1864676 27312 lvecch 1 1864695 Snoqualmie Gourmet in Maltby, WA. From Honey Lavendar to Jack Daniels rounded off with Mukilteo Mudd. mmm-mmm goodness. I'm so lucky to be close to a store that sells pints of the stuff. www.snoqicecream.com Sat Sep 09 06:12:50 -0700 2006 1864563 22596 rumgum 1 1864772 hello, since you expressed interest in coffee ice cream on your Icis post, if you should be travelling on 101 betw. S.L.O. and Santa Barbara, try Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream Laboratory in Arroyo Grande. In the super-premium (>14% butterfat) niche, their version is one of the few I've tried that captures the intense bitter-sweet note of fresh roasted/brewed strong black kopi. Also in the realm of super premium, if you like tropical fruit flavors or macadamia/chocolate/coconut combos, Lafferts in Maui is hard to beat. enjoy Sat Sep 09 09:22:14 -0700 2006 1864563 11012 moto 2 1866177 Ooh, Lappert's. Yum. I think there's a branch in Monterey, CA, and one in Manhattan Beach as well. Sun Sep 10 06:06:48 -0700 2006 1864772 10203 CynD 3 1866198 thanks for correcting the name,and the info on the shops in CA. at least my description successfully evoked what I referred to. salud Sun Sep 10 06:46:46 -0700 2006 1866177 11012 moto 4 1866626 i love Lappert's too, the Kona coffee and Green Tea. Sun Sep 10 17:45:10 -0700 2006 1866198 22596 rumgum 5 2356586 I have to add three more votes for Lappert's, especially the Kona Coffee. The other two votes are from my daughters, who talked me into a late night run to the parlor in Koloa on our last night on the beautiful island of Kauai. I've never tasted coffee ice cream with that much coffee flavor. So rich and creamy...yum! Mon Mar 05 22:09:07 -0800 2007 1866626 80235 Spangy123 1 1865428 Mitchell's in Mission, SF. The late Pure T on Polk St, also SF. Sat Sep 09 19:54:55 -0700 2006 1864563 10076 limster 2 1866782 Mitchell's is pretty standard commercial product except for their special flavors imported from the Philippines. Sun Sep 10 19:12:09 -0700 2006 1865428 11369 Robert Lauriston 3 1867274 Yep, those are the interesting flavours that are hard to find, even though I wouldn't call the rest of their stuff "standard commercial". According to their website, they import the SE Asian fruits, not the ice cream. Sun Sep 10 23:54:09 -0700 2006 1866782 10076 limster 4 1868827 By standard commercial I mean that outside of the unusual flavors, the ice cream is like any average shop. It has a sort of greasy/waxy finish I find unpleasant--though I'll put up with it on occasion for the buko. Mon Sep 11 18:23:16 -0700 2006 1867274 11369 Robert Lauriston 5 1870328 Yep, agree with your definition of standard commercial, disagree with the impression of the quality of ice cream. Tue Sep 12 04:31:40 -0700 2006 1868827 10076 limster 5 1875076 I also don't feel that Mitchell's is the ultimate ice cream that a lot of people feel it is. Many of their flavors just taste like butter or cream and almost nothing of the particular flavoring. My first job was scooping ice cream at Swensen's in Del Mar, CA. Swensen's had my favorite sundaes ever. I have yet to make it to the Swensen's in SF. Thu Sep 14 00:19:13 -0700 2006 1868827 10658 Atomica 1 1865449 Margies Candies at 1960 N. Western may make the best ice cream in Chicago--their candies are great, too. It has kept the decor and feel of the 30's. And they have opened a new branch at 1813 W. Montrose. I haven't been to it yet, but by all accounts it's a good as the the one on Western. Sat Sep 09 20:13:18 -0700 2006 1864563 15500 lina14 2 1867780 Next time I'm visiting my cousins in Rogers Park I'll drag them there kicking and screaming! Mon Sep 11 04:06:32 -0700 2006 1865449 10331 heidipie 3 1907045 Margie's is truly amazing. The booths are straight out of decades past and you should not go without sampling the hot fudge. To die for. Thu Sep 28 00:10:25 -0700 2006 1867780 24998 goatcheesey 2 2193835 Yep! I love Margie's. They don't do exotic flavors, but it's great ice cream and the place has a ton of character! And it's been open forever. Tue Jan 16 15:47:03 -0800 2007 1865449 49957 annimal 1 1865527 FOSSELMAN'S in Alhambra, CA. The family owned business has been making its own ice cream from scratch for years. Unique and seasonal to the more traditional flavors include vanilla bean, dark chocolate, pumpkin, and taro. They also offer candy and other sweets to buy and top your ice cream with, which is especially appealing if you decide to take home a gallon (or two). They will also ship orders: http://www.fosselmans.com/ Sat Sep 09 21:12:49 -0700 2006 1864563 11006 chica 2 1872188 Definitely Fosselmann's. It's the best ice cream I've ever eaten. Tue Sep 12 22:04:23 -0700 2006 1865527 17644 raytamsgv 1 1866750 Graeter's in Cincinnati is wonderful. Their Black Raspberry chocolate chip can't be beat. Creamy raspberry ice cream with huge chunks of rich chocolate. I live in New York and have six pints in my fridge right now. www.graeters.com Sun Sep 10 18:56:59 -0700 2006 1864563 14418 David B 2 1868032 A person after my own heart! I too am in love with black raspberry chocolate chunk! But, I tried the Bourbon Ball at Derby in Louisville in May and it was amazing. Graeter's really knows ice cream! Wish we could get it in Texas. Mon Sep 11 12:47:40 -0700 2006 1866750 23535 jlfischer 3 1871642 Just got back from Dayton which now has a Graeters outlet. I am happy to report it is still the best ice cream around....and they ship.... Tue Sep 12 18:53:34 -0700 2006 1868032 12633 rHairing 2 1899324 I grew up in Lexington, where Graeter's has some stores. I loved their ice cream, but the last time I was home, I noticed a change in the texture. I asked and they said they'd switched from hand paddling to a machine they had custome made in Italy. Now, maybe the paddler's are grateful not to have such a tough job, but I missed their handiwork! It really took the ice cream up a whole other notch, from great to fabulous. I'll still always love the black raspberry chip, but I wish they'd go back to hand paddling... Sun Sep 24 23:45:55 -0700 2006 1866750 24126 amyzan 2 2194273 I lived in Cinci for a while. Wasn't too crazy about the town (no offense, Cincinnatians) but I loved Graeters ice cream. My favorite was their cinnamon! Yum! I always think of them when i think of the best ice cream ever. I haven't tasted anything as good since... Tue Jan 16 17:38:46 -0800 2007 1866750 49086 amyvc 1 1867296 Real Ice Cream on El Camino in Santa Clara, CA. It's actually an Indian chaat shop in a strip mall somewhere near Bowers. They make their own ice cream. Many of the flavors are not traditional American, things like honey date, fig, mango, but they usually have an assortment of mainstream flavors like butter pecan, chocolate chip, vanilla. It's not long on atmosphere, but the ice cream is fabulous. Mon Sep 11 00:01:14 -0700 2006 1864563 16828 Judith 1 1867356 Saveur magazine's 2005 Saveur 100 issue recongized The Grand Ole Creamery in St. Paul MN. They are pretty tasty, but the Twin Cities is no stranger to premium ice cream shops. We have Izzy's in St. Paul and Crema Cafe and Sebastian Joe's in Minneapolis. In the past year, many independently owned places have opened up as well, making for lots of delicious outings to taste the goodies. We are a dairy state....we should have outstanding ice cream! Mon Sep 11 00:30:54 -0700 2006 1864563 14083 cooknKate 1 1867361 My two favorites are the Dairy run by Penn State and Jaxson's in Ft. Lauderdale. I feel fortunate indeed when I am near either one. Mon Sep 11 00:32:05 -0700 2006 1864563 10156 Steve 1 1867677 Haven't eaten in all 50 states, but the best contenders from Connecticut are: Sweet Claude's, Cheshire, CT Big Dipper, Prospect, CT Wentworth Homemade Ice Cream, Hamden, CT. An out of state runner up is Austin's Old Fashioned Ice Cream, Tucson, AZ. I would have added Mitchell's Candies and Ice Cream, Homewood IL, if only for their dreamy hot fudge sundaes, but lately it seems they are concentrating more on candy than ice cream. Too bad. Mon Sep 11 03:05:52 -0700 2006 1864563 11791 DonShirer 2 2199619 How about Dr. Mike's in Bethel CT. The Chocolate Lace and Cream is to die for!! Wed Jan 17 23:09:00 -0800 2007 1867677 62812 chickstein 1 1867788 SCOOPS in Los Angeles. Mon Sep 11 04:15:09 -0700 2006 1864563 11583 ipsedixit 1 1867914 Not really an ice cream place but Lee's Sandwiches has some pretty darn good ice cream in some not so common flavors....avacado, lychee, taro, green tea, jackfruit, plus all the usual ones. Seems they probably have about 16 flavors at any given time. Mon Sep 11 06:41:03 -0700 2006 1864563 15764 LisaAZ 1 1867929 Ice cream! My favorite subject. And I have to agree that Toscanini's is great. My other favorite in the Boston area is JP Licks; I was seriously addicted to their coffee oreo ice cream when I was in law school. I also really liked the mocha chocolate lace ice cream at Lizzy's in Waltham, MA and, as much mentioned above, the chocolate pudding ice cream at Herrell's. I live in the SF Bay Area now, and around here Rick's in Palo Alto is pretty good. Mon Sep 11 07:37:33 -0700 2006 1864563 23977 t.c. 1 1868030 applegate farm. various locations in northern new jersey. absolutely yummy toasted almond, black raspberry, coffee chip and maple walnut. http://www.applegatefarm.com Mon Sep 11 12:44:59 -0700 2006 1864563 12568 ericalloyd 1 1868810 All over Minneapolis/St. Paul. We've got it great here when it comes to ice cream. Izzy's in St. Paul, MN is at the top. Pumphouse Creamery, Crema Cafe, and Sebastian Joe's (all in Minneapolis) all have merit in nationwide discussions. Mon Sep 11 18:15:33 -0700 2006 1864563 11110 MSPD 2 1907049 I second that emotion for Sebastian Joe's. The standby flavors are consistent, often inventive, and you get discounts on your purchases during the winter when it's so freaking cold out! Try the raspberry chocolate chip and pavarotti (caramel, banana, chocolate goodness). Thu Sep 28 00:12:35 -0700 2006 1868810 24998 goatcheesey 1 1868859 Mashti Malone's: http://www.mashti.com/ . Mon Sep 11 18:33:21 -0700 2006 1864563 10134 David Kahn 2 1870360 ...but only in Hollywood. They transport the ice cream to Glendale, and it melts and is re-frozen. Tue Sep 12 04:50:05 -0700 2006 1868859 10811 Das Ubergeek 2 1872045 I agree! Mashti Malone's. I've only ever gone to the Hollywood location. Love the saffron/rose. They also make the best black cherry I've ever eaten. Tue Sep 12 21:06:29 -0700 2006 1868859 21696 xica14 1 1868946 Kimball Farms in the suburbs (and further out) of Boston. We frequent the stand in Carlisle. They have the best Peppermint Stick in the world (better than Brigham's, I think, which is tantamount to heresy in my family). It has both red and green candy, and it's to die for with hot fudge. Also in Boston is Christina's and Rancatore's. I'm not crazy about either one, but others seem to love Christina's. Mon Sep 11 19:05:51 -0700 2006 1864563 13574 pamalamb 2 1871705 I'm not an ice cream connoisseur but my husband who has eaten his way through more ice cream than he wants to remember swears Kimballs mocha chip is good enough to bring anyone back from the brink of death. Tue Sep 12 19:15:20 -0700 2006 1868946 12335 cheryl_h 3 2199810 I too have sampled ice cream from around the country and Kimballs has by far the smoothest, creamiest I've found. My favorite is Almond Joy but butter pecan is right up there. It's right off of 495 in Westford and is worth the trip. Try to get some on a Friday night in August.....plan on waiting in line, but again, still worth it. Wed Jan 17 23:53:17 -0800 2007 1871705 40385 othervoice 2 2284244 I love Kimball Farms. I just wish the lines weren't so long during the summer! Mon Feb 12 08:43:38 -0800 2007 1868946 10216 Lucia 1 1869244 if you're ever in hawaii, try bubbies. awesome mochi ice cream and cakes and pies. Mon Sep 11 20:35:53 -0700 2006 1864563 14569 da_seuss 1 1870399 Another San Francisco place is Joe's on Geary at 18th Ave. Some think it's better then Mitchell's. Made on the premise, some unique flavors, old school (clean but hasn't changed since the 60s) and literally a Mom and Pop operation. Don't eat much IC any more but if I'm around I'll stop and get a soda or sandwich because if you don't support these kinds of places, they go under. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/38085?user_name=&query=joe%27s+ice+cream http://www.jatbar.com/detail.asp?num=312 Tue Sep 12 05:09:38 -0700 2006 1864563 27275 ML8000 2 1904071 I love this place! It encapsulates all that's good about San Francisco, that they have old-fashioned flavors like butter brickle and new flavors like adzuki bean. Thanks for reminding me. Tue Sep 26 21:40:31 -0700 2006 1870399 10697 AppleSister 2 3684856 I thought Joe's in SF went out of business but turns out it's still there. I agree that Mitchell's is a little too fatty. It sort of masks the flavor of the ice cream and even has a 'chewy' texture which some like or don't like. But has anyone done a comparison of Polly Ann's vs. Marianne's ice cream? Mitchell's green tea is okay but there's a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in South San Francisco called Yoko's that serves awesome green tea ice cream. I asked where it was from and he either said Marianne's or Polly Ann's. I think both of them do wholesale and I hear Mollie Stone's carries Marianne's ice cream. Tue May 13 20:09:40 -0700 2008 1870399 81995 keyster 1 1870644 Gerenser’s Exotic Ice Cream New Hope PA a landmark ice cream parlor handpacked, overflowing portions skip dinner :) Tue Sep 12 12:30:16 -0700 2006 1864563 36312 HillJ 1 1871667 The best ice cream in America is in Cincinnati, but it isn't Graeter's, it's Aglamesis Brothers . . . http://www.aglamesis.com/ And the 2nd best is in New York City at Ronnybrook Farms in the Chelsea Market, 75 9th Avenue (between 15th and 16th Street.) http://www.ronnybrook.com/site_new/store_locator.html Tue Sep 12 19:02:34 -0700 2006 1864563 24539 livetotravel 1 1872052 Murray's in Westport, in Kansas City. But she closes in the winter to go on vacation. All winter. Tue Sep 12 21:09:15 -0700 2006 1864563 30261 ExpatChef 1 1873093 BROOKLYN ICE CREAM FACTORY on the waterfront in DUMBO has wonderful home made ice cream. Classic flavors only, no artificial anything. Wed Sep 13 07:04:42 -0700 2006 1864563 10838 Fleur 1 1875595 Downtown Bakery & Creamery in Healdsburg, CA totally obliterates Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory and Ronnybrook Farms. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/311550 http://static.flickr.com/48/168080143_8ffa74e3fb_o.jpg Thu Sep 14 05:20:55 -0700 2006 1864563 10039 Melanie Wong 1 1875735 Because of the way it's made, it really isn't possible to make better ice cream than Graeter's. You can do as well, if you use the same process, but anything containing less air would be . . . what? Sweetened frozen butter? Butterfat content is not the only measure of fine ice cream. The natural flavors and the unique chocolate "chips" (more like slabs) are just icing on the cake. Aglamesis is great, they even do the chips right, but their ice cream contains slightly more air due to their machinery. They make 10 gallons at a time, Graeters two. Both are great, but Graeters gets the nod. Thu Sep 14 08:08:03 -0700 2006 1864563 40516 zorro6204 1 1876840 Jeni's, in Columbus, OH. http://www.jenisicecreams.com/index_elements/0101_about.html I tried the Salty Caramel, Chocolate Zin, Thai Chili, and the dark cocoa gelato. I attempted to make salty caramel myself the other day, and ended up with a burnt sugar flavor, just past caramel. I really liked it, but my darling husband convinced me to add a shot of whiskey instead of the salt, so it ended up tasting like frozen Bailey's Irish Cream. I used the caramel ice cream recipe from the blog posted by someone on Home Cooking: http://haverchuk.blogspot.com/2005/10/ice-cream-project-caramel-ice-cream.html I stopped the caramelization at a nice brown, but I was already past the caramel stage. I plan to try it again soon. Thu Sep 14 18:28:05 -0700 2006 1864563 10559 JGrey 1 1886269 Remember When Ice Cream in Pittsburgh has the best ice cream I have ever tasted. They sell Pittsburgh's largest cone. It is so big they have to raise the window and tilt the cone to get it to the customer. Simply a wonderful place to eat ice cream and bring the family Tue Sep 19 13:24:39 -0700 2006 1864563 41660 westindan 1 1886646 I can't BELIEVE no one's mentioned Cones in the West Village (NYC) on Bleecker and Morton. I could stay there all day with the free tastings. (I guess that's why they charged $1 a taste for the millenium Dom Perignon sherbet.) Tue Sep 19 16:14:01 -0700 2006 1864563 12858 Covert Ops 2 2199841 Is Mother Buckas still in business in the Village? Thu Jan 18 00:00:29 -0800 2007 1886646 11562 Hue 1 1897287 Mine would be a toss up between Young's dairy farm near Dayton Ohio,Graeter's, and Hartzlers organic dairy in Wooster. http://www.hartzlerfamilydairy.com/ Sat Sep 23 18:47:27 -0700 2006 1864563 22220 Kelli2006 2 1899313 I'll second the vote for Young's...their cinnamon ice cream is out of this world! Sun Sep 24 23:40:30 -0700 2006 1897287 11434 FlyerFan 1 1899474 I'll nominate Sundae School on Cape Cod, Mass. in particular in Dennis. Mon Sep 25 01:20:50 -0700 2006 1864563 11290 jfood 2 1908270 YES! For the atmostphere as well as the ice cream. Indian Pudding Ice Cream--I don't know how well it translates outside of New England, buy it is my own personal nirvana! Thu Sep 28 15:28:45 -0700 2006 1899474 26918 lotus_blossom 1 1904075 Shout out for Ashley's in Connecticut--New Haven, Hamden, and Guilford. They started closing branches a few years ago, and then revived one on York St. in New Haven. I love the sweet cream and grapenut flavors, though coffee oreo is probably the crowd favorite. Helped me survive law school :) Tue Sep 26 21:41:50 -0700 2006 1864563 10697 AppleSister 1 1907330 Chinatown Icecream Factory on Bayard Street, Manhattan. They make a lychee ice cream and a lychee sorbet with lots of pulverized real fruit. Small batches and unique flavors. Their classic flavors like chocolate and strawberry have a rich dense texture, with no adverse gummy qualities. Their other exotics like ginger or green tea, however, are not as exciting. Thu Sep 28 02:10:28 -0700 2006 1864563 14011 vicki_vale 1 1907843 Oh, I do miss Gifford's in Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia! I've never had a better sundae. Thu Sep 28 12:01:39 -0700 2006 1864563 11995 pikawicca 1 1908026 Two that are off the beaten path... Homeland Creamery in Julian NC. It's a dairy that bottles their own milk, churns butter, and makes great ice cream. For those in the mood for a road trip in NC, it's in the southeast corner of Guilford County, off Hwy. 62. I strongly recommend their butter pecan, and I believe the pecans are from the Bowman's farm as well (talk about a locally produced product!) The second is the University of Nebraska Dairy Store in Lincoln, NE. You haven't been to Nebraska unless you've done two things...catch a Husker football game, and eat Dairy Store Bavarian Mint ice cream. Thu Sep 28 13:57:49 -0700 2006 1864563 15132 OrganicGal 1 2192766 Jeni's in Columbus, without a doubt. Do a web search and you'll find that I'm not the only one who think so. The Food Network's been there a few times, and she's been written up in major magazines and newspapers from coast to coast. Jeni's a true artist, a fine chef, and a great supporter of locally grown, locally produced foods. Absolutely worth the cost, even if you include shipping. I grew up, by the way, eating Graeter's. It's not even in the same category as Jeni's. Really. Tue Jan 16 02:48:52 -0800 2007 1864563 67144 johnmccollum 2 2287639 Yes yes YES on Jeni's. I plan my travels between Chicago and the east coast over holidays to hit Columbus so I can fill a cooler with her confections and dry ice. Also on a recent trip to Anchorage, I found the following spot while driving through Girdwood: http://www.theicecreamshop.com/ They had four or five gourmet flavors along with their regular selection, and all were excellent. Tue Feb 13 06:54:26 -0800 2007 2192766 14202 spyturtle008 3 2290532 I also love Jeni's. I grab a scoop every time I go to North Market. Over the Summer they had Basil pine nut and honey ice cream. It was wonderful. I actually served it at a party this year. I also love the Thai Peanut. Tue Feb 13 19:04:20 -0800 2007 2287639 14045 Wintergoblin 1 2192789 Nothing, and I mean nothing beats Babcock hall ice cream in Madison Wisconsin. You must go to the stock pavillion (where the cows are next door). Having it at the student union and around campus severly degrades the ice cream as it is not nearly as fresh. Tue Jan 16 02:56:02 -0800 2007 1864563 50328 tpigeon 1 2193232 I've eaten some excellent ice cream all over the country but my local favorite, hands down, is Murray's Ice Cream & Cookies in the Westport district of Kansas City, Missouri. While I'm personally partial to their lemon sorbet (they call me on the days they make it!), I've never had an ice cream there that I didn't like. Of particular note are the Fudge Raspberry Rhapsody, Cinnameg, One Drunk Monk (bits of chocolate and hazelnuts in Frangelico ice cream), Chocolate Flake Fromage (chocolate flake in cream cheese ice cream -- Fats Goldberg's personal favorite!), Orange Chocolate Fudge, and more. On any given day, 16 flavors are available but they draw upon more than 200 recipes to cycle through. A few, like Chocolate Flake Fromage, are signature items and always available (unless they've sold out for that particular day!). Murray's closes around mid-December and reopens for the season sometime in March. Tue Jan 16 07:38:49 -0800 2007 1864563 11824 KCJ 2 2194282 I've only been to Murray's a few times as they're not convenient for me, but the ice cream is good. I don't get why they are so obsessive about portion control, though? I mean, if you scoop ice cream often, you should be able to judge weight fairly easily. So, why do they use a scale? It's sort of out of kilter with the whole indulgence aspect of eating ice cream, IMO. I also like Sylas and Maddy's, but wouldn't say it's one of the best in the country. It's good ice cream from mix, not overly rich. My fave flavors appear in late summer usually--black walnut and blackberry come to mind. Tue Jan 16 17:41:26 -0800 2007 2193232 24126 amyzan 3 2196577 Murray's weighing the filled cone or cup never bothered me at all. I'd heard at one time that it was to assure that the customer got enough. I've seen them add a bit of ice cream to the serving after weighing but I've never seen them remove ice cream if it weighed a bit too heavy. I suspect there's a misunderstanding about the whole weighing game there. Not to say that Murray doesn't want to assure quantity control of some sort. Wed Jan 17 04:00:04 -0800 2007 2194282 11824 KCJ 1 2193843 In the suburbs of Chicago, I like Oberweiss, great ice cream, and they sell milk in glass bottles.. Tue Jan 16 15:48:39 -0800 2007 1864563 26725 swsidejim 2 2196397 Good, yes, but aka Overprice Wed Jan 17 02:53:32 -0800 2007 2193843 41864 optimal forager 1 2193849 Mitchells in SF NO DOUBT!! Peppermint stick....queso y maize (candy corn!) many many others....mmmmm Tue Jan 16 15:50:19 -0800 2007 1864563 22477 jbyoga 1 2193852 Mark my word. ZOZO's in the Lower East Side. Zozo's Juice & Grille www.zozosnyc.com 172 Orchard St New York, NY 10002 (212) 228-0009 http://nycpocket.com Tue Jan 16 15:50:48 -0800 2007 1864563 67028 nyctravelguide 1 2193853 The Northport Sweetshop on Main Street in Northport, Long Island, makes the best, creamiest, French style ice cream I've ever had. Their coconut, black raspberry, and cookies and cream are to die for. Tue Jan 16 15:51:11 -0800 2007 1864563 67215 williej33 1 2194101 my absolute favorite ice cream is from Four Seas ice cream in Centerville, Ma - just outside of Hyannis on the Cape. I lived there for a summer and I still dream about the coconut ice cream with hot fudge sauce! http://www.fourseasicecream.com/ Tue Jan 16 16:55:30 -0800 2007 1864563 66156 alexia 2 2195478 I agree! Four Seas is the best ice-cream! Tue Jan 16 22:08:59 -0800 2007 2194101 11538 brooklynmasala 1 2195437 PALATERIA FERNANDEZ in Port Chester, NY (in Westchester County near the CT border). It's a Mexican ice cream place specializing in paletas (ice cream pops). They have scoopable too just not in as many flavors. The ice cream is all home made, incredibly fresh and very milkey-creamy with flavors like Dulce de Leche, Rice Pudding and even Avocado (I've never wanted that one). My daughter almost always gets Oreo which is the most oreo-tasting ice cream one can imagine but my favorites are the Chongo which is a cinnamon milk flavor that contains bits of curdled milk (it doesn't taste sour, it is like little bits of cheesecake almost) and the rum raisin. The pistachio is also to die for and there are too many flavors to mention here. If you're anywhere in the area, just go. You'll see. Tue Jan 16 22:00:34 -0800 2007 1864563 48135 laylag 1 2198717 Meyer Dairy in State College, PA will make you forget the PSU Creamery - which is good, but over-rated. For me, the second best ice cream is at a place called Premise Made in Breinigsville, which is between Allentown and Reading PA. http://www.premisemaid.com/cgi-bin/ShopCart.pl?uid=30QM3U_GAA064397&rootdir=/home/httpd/vhosts/premisemaid.com/httpdocs&ice_creamery=1 Wed Jan 17 20:08:27 -0800 2007 1864563 59076 GDSinPA 1 2198920 Barts is good but Seduttos rocks Wed Jan 17 20:48:13 -0800 2007 1864563 55914 marlie202 1 2199628 In Atlanta don't miss Jake's Ice Cream. Chocolate Slap Yo Momma Brown Suga Vanilla Wed Jan 17 23:11:48 -0800 2007 1864563 62812 chickstein 1 2199860 Handel's (the original) in Youngstown, Ohio. They have other locations now, too, but I haven't been to any of them except the one on 224 Boardman-Canfield Rd. (which is also good and always crowded!) Handel's also ships ($$$$) and has shipping info on their website. http://www.handelsicecream.com If you ever get the opportunity to drive just a little out of your way & pick up a Handel's Homemade Ice Cream cone, you won't regret it! Thu Jan 18 00:09:55 -0800 2007 1864563 62843 luv2bake 1 2200302 Mariposa Ice Cream in San Diego. They are family owned and make all of their material in site. They offer dollar cones to kids after school. San Diego magazine rated them the best ice cream in the region. Mariposa Homemade Ice cream 3450 Adams Avenue San Diego, CA 92116 Phone (619) 284-5197 Fax (619) 284-5198 info@mariposaicecream.com Thu Jan 18 02:01:48 -0800 2007 1864563 21396 normalheightsfoodie 1 2283431 I'll have to say Coldstone, but I have never tried Mariposa's. I will go to Mariposa's this week. Does anyone from San Diego on this thread remember Leatherby's? Sun Feb 11 21:55:14 -0800 2007 1864563 70144 Dagney 2 2287545 I would hesitate to call Coldstone ice cream. Tue Feb 13 06:27:36 -0800 2007 2283431 14083 cooknKate 3 2287555 Coldstone? Seriously? Tue Feb 13 06:30:13 -0800 2007 2287545 12099 sivyaleah 1 2283479 Franklin Fountain in Philadelphia. They have some unique flavors (green tea, teaberry gum or something like that...) but so far I've only stuck with their basic flavors. Their vanilla bean ice cream is some of the most delicious ice cream I've EVER tasted - and I'm talking all flavors here (not just the best vanilla I've ever had). And they make a fresh hot waffle ice cream sammich that is to die for. My b/f and I LOVE the place, and were totally heartbroken to discover that it has closed for the season and won't reopen until the first week of March...but believe you me, when that day comes, we will be there. :-D Sun Feb 11 22:19:30 -0800 2007 1864563 58027 Aloo0628 1 2283528 I just love Marianne's Ice Cream in Santa Cruz,Ca. A small shop in a strip mall on Ocean Ave. with so many choices it is hard to have a favorite. Delicious fruit flavors! A perfect scoop of ice cream just makes the day brighter. Sun Feb 11 22:52:15 -0800 2007 1864563 44946 foodseek 2 2360236 Ah.......such fond memories of Marianne's. Excellent selection. Tue Mar 06 20:08:59 -0800 2007 2283528 40385 othervoice 1 2283761 maple view farm http://www.mapleviewfarm.com/ Mon Feb 12 05:40:32 -0800 2007 1864563 71849 batdown 1 2284289 Herrell's, Toscanini's, JP Licks in the Boston area; the Dairy at University of Maryland, College Park. I'll always love Carvel! Mon Feb 12 08:56:42 -0800 2007 1864563 73605 mallomarmom 2 2360102 I'll second Herrell's and Toscanini's and add in Emack & Bolio's to the mix. Tue Mar 06 19:28:39 -0800 2007 2284289 76251 bachslunch 1 2287846 Superior Creamery, in Hanford California. Not only is the ice cream great on those blazing summer days in the San Joaquin Valley, but it has the classic old ice cream shop decor - little stools at the counter, marble-topped tables - that makes it even more fun. Tue Feb 13 07:53:55 -0800 2007 1864563 13564 Snackish 1 2357422 Purity Ice cream, Ithaca NY. All homemade, huge portions, local ingredients (when they can). I try ice cream everywhere, but this is still my all time favorite. I think I have tried every flavor (and there are probably at least 30). AND, I live about 90 minutes away (I have to travel through there for visiting a family member, and occasionally work). The bittersweet chocolate is my favorite. They have started carrying it in some local groceries, TG. Close second is Mackinac Island Creamery ice cream. A small production, high-quality ice cream that is sold in mostly the Michigan UP area, we have a spot close by that sells it at their stand. It's like a meal. Tue Mar 06 08:32:03 -0800 2007 1864563 77683 Lazy Susan 1 2357469 In Asheville North Carolina "ultimate ice cream". Small, independent, made on premise. Great flavors. Also have sorbet, gelato, and rice cream. Yummmm. Tue Mar 06 08:41:51 -0800 2007 1864563 56195 bethd127 1 2357517 Ray's on Coolidge in Royal Oak, MI Tue Mar 06 08:54:52 -0800 2007 1864563 80304 mty917 1 2358333 I haven't been in so many years but growing up my favorite place to get ice cream was at the Tillamook Cheese Factory after doing the tour and munching on some cheese curds. The ice cream was always so yummy and fresh as can be, perfect end to a fun day. Tue Mar 06 11:23:24 -0800 2007 1864563 56307 amopdx 1 2359691 Ben and Bill's Chocolate Emporium in Bar Harbor, Maine!! Homemade Ice Cream the real deal!! Tue Mar 06 17:00:24 -0800 2007 1864563 78837 flipkeat 1 2359776 I can't believe no one mentioned Dave and Andys (pittsburgh). Birthday Cake ice cream...cookie dough...It's so good. I used to live in Amherst, MA...Barts was OK, Herrells was OK (a little soupy for my liking), and I did love toscanini's in Boston. It was very good. Hands down, Dave and Andys. Try it! Tue Mar 06 17:36:20 -0800 2007 1864563 51422 Jeserf 1 2359791 "Ye Olde Fashioned Ice Cream", also for sandwiches (12 strips of bacon on a BLT). Unfortunately, you have to be in South Carolina to experience them. Tue Mar 06 17:39:55 -0800 2007 1864563 18981 Jimmy Buffet 1 2359813 Flamingo Crossing in Key West has great flavors including my favorite one scoop of Cuban Coffee and one scoop of Chocolate Amaretto. They make all their batches in their little shop and have great tropical flavors as well. Perfectly creamy. Tue Mar 06 17:49:17 -0800 2007 1864563 65794 masala maci 1 2360325 The Creamery at Penn State University...hands down Tue Mar 06 20:53:58 -0800 2007 1864563 79603 nyfoodjoe 1 2363100 Bassetts Ice Cream. It was always the highlight of going with my mom when she ordered her meat at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia when we were kids. Wed Mar 07 14:41:44 -0800 2007 1864563 64520 chocolate 2 2536309 This thread is a gem Wed May 02 17:40:04 -0700 2007 2363100 20276 wew 3 2536338 HALO PUB in Princeton, New Jersey (NJ). Had dozens of crazy flavors like chocolate peanut butter cookie dough and maple fudge macademia. their 'creme de menthe' chocolate chip was the best "mint-chocolate chip" i've had in my life. Wed May 02 17:55:21 -0700 2007 2536309 83385 walkercme 1 2536907 In the northwest suburbs of Chicago, you have to try Capannaris in Mt Prospect. It's made on location in four gallon batches and has won numerous awards. My parents live within walking distance, and every summer visit includes an after dinner walk for Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch. http://www.capannaris.com/home.html Wed May 02 22:15:07 -0700 2007 1864563 86221 lulubelle 1 2536916 There's a place in Charlottesville, VA called Chap's Ice Cream. Small shop that makes their own ice creams in about 25 flavors or so. Every fall they make Pumpkin Ice Cream which is sensational. Other than that one (which you have to plot to make sure you get some of) I love their Black Cherry. Wed May 02 22:23:05 -0700 2007 1864563 80141 ccbweb 1 2537001 Kline's Dairy Bar in Harrisonburg, VA. Oh, how I wish I could have some right now!!! They do have some interesting flavors but what I remember the most is their chocolate oreo shake. Soooo delicious. http://www.klinesdairybar.com/ I also second (or third or fourth!) the vote for Fosselman's!! They have Peppermint Stick ice cream year-round which makes me very happy. Wed May 02 23:46:46 -0700 2007 1864563 82634 sarahvagaca 2 2537006 Thank you! My wife, after I mentioned Chap's, was trying to remember the name of the "amazing ice cream shop in Harrisonburg." She reports that Kline's is amazing. Wed May 02 23:50:31 -0700 2007 2537001 80141 ccbweb 3 2537017 You're welcome! Glad I could share the memory. I wish I'd known about Chap's when I was still in the area...or maybe it's good that I didn't! Wed May 02 23:54:01 -0700 2007 2537006 82634 sarahvagaca 1 2631516 Hands down, the best comes from Babcock Hall on the University of Wisconsin campus. This is ce cream thats not driven by the bottom line but by the desire to show students how to make the best possible product. They serve scoops as bid as your head and don't charge a lot for it. They use state-of-the-art equipment and the best ingredients available. Babcock Hall Ice cream is the best thing you will ever put in your mouth. Tue Jun 05 10:27:30 -0700 2007 1864563 103341 dodger53589 1 2833570 Fairfax Scoop in Fairfax, CA is incredible! There is actually a line down the street to get in. If you go in the evening, be prepared to wait at least a half hour (it is well worth it though). They have over 100 flavors that change daily. All of the ice cream is organic and made with the freshest ingredients available. My favorites are cardamom, mud pie (coffee and cinnamon ice cream with fudge and graham crackers), and grasshopper (mint ice cream, newman cookies, and spirulina (for coloring - can't taste it though). Another great place is Bi-Rite Creamery in San Francisco. They are also organic with some really unique flavors like: mint honey lavender, ginger, balsalmic strawberry, and roasted banana. Both places have very light and fluffy ice cream. I guess this is due to the fresh, organic ingredients. I've never had the equivalent. Fri Aug 10 12:12:36 -0700 2007 1864563 118222 blintz69 1 3351519 Definitely Penn State Creamery. Unique flavors and names i.e. WPSU Coffee Break (or something like that), Peachy paterno.. Love Love LOVE! http://www.creamery.psu.edu/ Thu Jan 31 07:45:13 -0800 2008 1864563 162249 JoJo4862 1 3358973 On California's central coast, it's Doc Bernstein's Lab in downtown Arroyo Grande, just 1 block east of 101 at the Grand Ave exit. E-Z off, E-Z on! They make super-premium ice creams, sherbert, and even have a weekly Wednesday create-your-own ice cream program for kids. The Doc's Java has set the mark for coffee ice cream. Other greats are Mexican Chocolate, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Eggnog, Apple Caramel Swirl. http://www.docburnsteins.com/main/locations.html Sat Feb 02 13:02:15 -0800 2008 1864563 11234 toodie jane 1 3369646 Jeni's in Columbus OH. Salty carmel, Black coffee, Sweet Corn and Blackberry......and those are some of the more normal flavours. Unique, natural, and simply stunning. Wed Feb 06 07:29:12 -0800 2008 1864563 160718 uhockey