Manayunk Soft-Serve Showdown: Custard & Cakes vs Dairyland

[JugglerDave]

OK, a lighthearted silly sunny Sunday post. The Bride & I were on our way back from a day in Chestnut Hill and decided to try the two ice cream places on Ridge Ave near Walnut Lane.

The contest: small soft-serve vanilla.

The contenders: Custard & Cakes Creamery, on the north side of Ridge, versus Dairyland on the south side 1 block away. Even though both had an array of hard ice creams we decided to stick to the classic.

The Price: $1.25 at each place.

Custard & Cakes was a little bit on the gummy side, and perhaps a bit too foamy (too much air incorporated?) in texture. Vanilla flavor was good.

Dairyland produced a slightly larger cone for the price. The texture was much closer to what you expect for ice cream, fairly dense and you could taste the cream. The vanilla flavor was more subdued however.

Winner: Dairyland!

[emilym711]

DAIRYLAND all the way!!!!! The staff is so nice, the pumpkin and bday cake ice cream can't be beat. And no matter how many toppings and what size you get, I swear it's always under $2. I can hardly drive up Ridge without stopping :)

[hungry100]

Thanks for doing the legwork!

[SuzyQPA2]

http://philly.everyblock.com/restaurant-inspections/by-date/2008/8/29/422370/
this is why Custard & Cakes is better

http://philly.everyblock.com/restaura...

[LaurCar]

yeap, that's good ol' Roxborough!

Which is the one with the cow spots? Dairyland? I like that one better.

[Laura D.]

Dairyland did have the cow spots on it, and it appeared as if they had a wider variety in their soft serve flavors (meaning they had orange/orange twist in addition to vanilla, chocolate, and twist). I would be hooked for life if someone could confirm whether either of these places ever adds peanut butter soft serve to their flavor rotation!

[Laura D.]

Last night I went to Custard and Cakes Creamery for a lovely twist waffle cone with rainbow sprinkles. There was no real reason I chose Custard and Cakes Creamery over Dairyland, and I fully intend to frequent both locations in the future. Quick question, though...does anyone know the origin of the hard ice cream at either/both of the locations? I'm curious about whether they make it on-site (which seems doubtful given that both places had a wide variety of flavors...perhaps too many to make in-house while also likely making their own custard) and, if they don't, if anyone knows who provides their ice cream to them. Thanks!

[LaurCar]

yes, I would also like to know if they make there ice cream/custard on the premise... I live right down the street, next time I am over there, I will ask!

[GWisz]

I know for a fact that ALL ice creams ARE made on premises @ Custard & Cakes Creamery

[xtian]

Go back in the fall and try Dairyland's pumpkin ice cream-- so creamy but with a gritty touch of nutmeg and cinnamon.

[DanielleM]

oohhh, this sounds great. I am a huge fan of pumpkin ice cream. I know Handel's in Berwyn has it, as does Merrymead. I may have to do a pumpkin ice cream tasting tour this fall.

[Bride of the Juggler]

Funny, they were both advertising pumpkin ice cream. Thank you.

[Meann]

We're a C&C family. Long tradition.

But, please. Neither is in Manayunk. That's ROXBOROUGH.

[Buckethead]

Dairyland also has a few flavors of non-soft serve, hand-dipped ice cream, which as far as I know the Custard Stand doesn't have. And of course, you can get the Blizzard(o) at Dairyland.