ice cream

Sweet Scoops Homemade Ice Cream, Sonoma, CA., 11/7/25

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exterior – 408 1st St E, Sonoma, CA 95476

Sweet Scoops was a small shop on the Sonoma Plaza square where they make ice cream daily.   They change their flavors frequently and make their ice cream in small batches.   Owned by a husband and wife team, Joe and Ramie, it opened in July 2015.  It was in pursuit of their dream to “Make the world sweeter, one scoop at a time” and “eat ice cream, be happy” that they moved from Colorado with their children to craft ice cream and build a positive workplace to serve it in.   They now have a second shop called Darling, an Ice Cream Shop that serves the same ice cream.  While I loved their philosophy and flavor options it was not the strongest flavored ice cream ever but it was plenty acceptable.  The scoops came in different sizes and you could mix them in a cup.  They were nicely sized fairly soft ice cream.   It’s hard to go wrong with some well made ice cream on a warm day so if you’re walking the Sonoma Plaza I’d encourage you to give it a try and enjoy it at one of the outdoor tables and people watch. Continue reading →

Jumbo’s Win Win, Philo, CA., 5/9/25

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exterior – 8651 CA-128, Philo, CA 95466

Jumbo’s Win Win was a roadside burger spot that opened in August 2024.   Scott Baird, a James Beard nominated bartender and his wife Molly moved to the Anderson Valley in 2020, escaping the hectic living of San Francisco.  They wanted to offer a limited but well composed menu and interestingly chose the building which is a 120-year old former saloon.  The name Jumbo is for the owner’s son, named by his brother who also suggested the name Jumbo’s Win Win.  The fairly large spot had a long counter where you placed and picked up your order.  Next to that space a large window opened into the kitchen where the food was passed through and your name called out with a microphone.  Tables and chairs filled the rest of the room and there was an outside patio if you wanted.  Multiple windows added to the already bright room with just a few decorations.  Actually, the bathroom had more visuals with custom-made tiles.  Music was in the background and the counter person was very helpful.  They are open every day from 11-8 in the Anderson Valley.   It’s a cute family-run place that serves an okay burger and tasty dessert options.  Stop by when you’re on CA Hwy 128 and need to fortify before visiting another winery. Continue reading →

Courtyard Cafe, Wisconsin Dells, 7/20/24

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street entrance – 434 Broadway Ave, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

The Courtyard Cafe has had the current owners for 3 months.   The Lohr’s bring with them 30 years of  local restaurant experience and you’ll find their parents, kids and sibling all there helping. They serve breakfast and lunch in a large high ceiling room next to the Wizard Quest courtyard.  At one entrance they also have an ice cream counter and advertise specialty coffee drinks.  Beer and wine are available as were a few cocktails.  We sat at the counter but there were numerous tables of many sizes in the dining room.  We were there in a transition time so both the breakfast and lunch menus were in play.  Currently you cannot get served in the patio but you can pick up to go and eat there.  It was refreshing to see a less cluttered interior and anticipate straightforward food.  I would recommend this place, especially the onion strings or anything with the jalapeno popper spread.

Set-Up

courtyard entrance
interior
interior
interior
Frankie pointed out their hours
specials menu
menu
breakfast menu
breakfast menu
lunch menu
lunch menu

 

Food

I had to start with an order of the Mini Donuts that are billed to be “just like at the fair.”   They came out with the cinnamon sugar on them and it was a generous serving.  They were not hot but still plenty soft and tasty.

mini donuts

 

As an appetizer we shared an order of the Haystack Onion Rings which are served wtih housemade ranch dressing on the side.  They were hot and crisp with well cooked onions inside.  The coating adhered nicely to the onion.  They were delicious with or without the dressing.

onion strings

 

The Ultimate Turkey Club contained turkey, bacon, lettuce, cheddar and mayo on white toast.  Some of the toast pieces were overly toasted and the bacon could have been crisper.  Removing the middle piece of bread helped but it’s still a mildly flavored sandwich.  Pickle slices were a mild dill.

Ultimate Turkey Club

 

The Grilled Ham and Cheese was made with cheddar and smoky salty ham.  I made it ‘Gregg’ style by adding their famous jalapeno popper spread for $2.  This was a key to making this one sing.  The server suggested it was his favorite way to eat it and it did add a good amount of spice as well as creaminess to the interior.  It was a generous mound of thin sliced ham and well melted cheese on perfectly toasted bread.  It was very good.

Grilled Ham and Cheese
side view

Dungeness Valley Creamery, Sequim, WA., 7/12/24

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cow – 1915 Towne Road, Sequim, WAS., 98382

Dungeness Valley Creamery is owned by Ryan and Sarah McCarthey.   They produce whole raw milk from about 70 Jersey cows that produce around 350 gallons of milk per day.  Sarah grew up on this farm that was run by her parents. She and her husband took over in 2012.  Now their 2 sons are learning the business and you could see them working around the farm.  There are cows of all ages and the place used to have tours but now it’s walk through as you wish and they are happy to answer questions.  We wanted to try their ice cream which was made by Lopez Island and is sold by the scoop or pints.  Lopez supplies many Northwest area restaurants, etc.  The friendly scooper told us the cows all love petting and invited us to look around which we did.  Each cow had their name on an ear tag and had quite different personalities.  Meanwhile the ice cream was dense and lovely.  I would have preferred simpler flavors but it and the farm are worth a stop during your visit to the Olympic Peninsula. Continue reading →

Welly’s Real Fruit Ice Cream, Port Angeles, 7/9/24

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Frankie rode the cart – 115 E Railroad Ave, Port Angeles, WA 98362

Welly’s Real Fruit Ice Cream was brought to Washington State by Lillie and Jacob from New Zealand, where she learned the art of combining  a scoop of ice cream with real fruit.  Starting with a trailer in July 2021 they have now opened a storefront in the Port Angeles Wharf since June 2022.  Welly comes from Wellington, the capital of New Zealand where she worked for 3 months.  They combine ice cream from Lopez Island Creamery with local fruits from Washington farms.  They had 4 single berry flavors or a mixed berry to blend with Sweet Cream ice cream or many flavors of ice cream if you didn’t want the blend.  They have a machine at the counter where they place the dip of ice cream and the frozen berries of your choice.   A corkscrew like mixer blends it in a funnel container that squeezes the end result out the bottom.  One problem I saw with that was the mixer does not get washed in between so all mixes have a bit of the mixed berry effect.  However some did come out much darker.  We chose strawberry which came out fairly light in color.  It is a smooth lightly flavored product that is fun and worth a try.  There’s a video that tells it all. Continue reading →

Bonta – Natural Artisan Gelato, Bend, OR., 5/3/24

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street entrance – 920 NW Bond St #108, Bend, OR 97703

Bonta Gelato had one of their locations very close to our hotel so we stopped in to try it.  Owners Jeff and Julie Labbhart have traveled to find different flavors to incorporate into their handcrafted gelato.   The small batch gelato is made with techniques they learned working with Italian gelato masters.  They make their gelato with Oregon milk, desert lavender and mountain hazelnuts or whatever local ingredients they can source.  They scoop into cups or a variety of cones as well as have pints and quarts to go.  They also offer non-dairy sorbets and have seasonal flavors.  The gelato had marvelous texture and well developed flavor.  If you see their product I encourage you to indulge. Continue reading →

Charcoal Pit, Wilmington, DE., 4/3/24

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exterior – 2600 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803

Charcoal Pit has been serving burgers and ice cream creations since 1956.  It has long been a favorite of President Joe Biden, according to Food and Wine magazine and was listed in a Road Food book by Michael Stern as a place to find mid-century Americana.  Opening with just 4 tables it was so successful the founder had to expand to a space with room for 115 customers.  Now there is also a second location but we went to the original “Big Pit” which was being re-modeled inside.  According to our server, the remodeling has been going on for some time but they have not shut down one day for it. Booths are small and slightly larger varieties and hug the walls while tables fill in the rest.  On one end were openings into the kitchen and on one side of it was the round to-go waiting area.  Another portion of the interior was the ice cream counter which looked to usually have seating but today the counter was being resurfaced.  Large squares of linoleum are on the floor and the booth seats are bright red.  Small individual jukeboxes are at each table with free choices but all choices are added to the queue played on the overhead speakers.  The menu offered lots of choices and specials for seniors which seemed very popular.  Our server didn’t flinch at any customizations of the burger order. Continue reading →

Crooked Lake Ice Cream Company, Hammondsport, NY, 9/23 &24/22

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exterior – 35 Shether St., Hammondsport, NY, 14840

Crooked Lake Ice Cream Company is a restaurant that pays tribute to Glenn Curtiss, a bicycle racer and aircraft developer.  A number of their dishes are named for him, striving to evoke the same creativity as his inventions,  and the walls are filled with mementos of his fame and success.  The restaurant has been in Hammondsport over 30 years and is open every day except Tuesday.  They have a long counter with stools as well as tables in two rooms, separated by a low wall and a few stools facing the windows to the street.  They had a makeover about 5 years ago but at least they kept lots of their older decorations however, the place feels new and fresh.  Service was very friendly and helpful and once your order is placed it came out quickly.  They do get a crowd and you pay at the front where people are also getting coffee/muffins to go, so there can be some wait there.  The food was fresh, with quality ingredients and good flavors.  Next trip, though, I’ll have to try their ice cream. Continue reading →

Clementine’s Homemade Ice Cream, Middletown, RI. 5/27/22

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exterior – 62 Wave Ave., Middletown, RI., 02842

Clementine’s Homemade Ice Cream opened in 2017 and served delicious ice cream with high quality ingredients.  They offer an array of flavors and some dog-friendly ice cream also.  The name of their shop is a tribute to a dog.  They make their own waffle cones and the aroma when you enter the shop is sweet and mouth watering.  The cones are also available stuffed into a dish in which you can put your chosen scoops.  It’s a small shop with a couple tables inside as well as counters to lean on.  Outside there were also some tables and 3 designated parking spots.  We chose 2 flavors – Coffee Heath Bar and Butter Brickle – and got them in one of the cones in a cup.  It made it much easier to share but the cone did stick to the cup a bit.  The ice cream was thick, sweet and well flavored.  It really hit the spot for a terrific sweet snack.  Strong recommendation here. Continue reading →

McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, Santa Barbara, 6/27/22

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exterior –728 State St., Santa Barbara, CA., 93101

McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams has been in business for 70 years, founded in 1949 by a husband and wife couple after running a health food store.  They were put off by the artificial ingredients and filler in ice creams and wanted to use seasonal ingredients as well as local milk and cream, fruit, nuts and produce.  The couple opted to not use any fillers, stabilizers or preservatives and use the European French Pot process.  In December of 1950 they opened their first shop.  They sold the shop to another Santa Barbara native in 1962 who expanded the locations and then it sold again in 1975 and lastly in 2012 when it underwent a major renovation of the systems, freezers and equipment.   Now in addition to 2 locations in Santa Barbara, they are in 4 other California cities and offer to ship anywhere.   Their State St. location felt pretty sterile considering all the ‘love’ this place has.  They had cone bowls but they were stale and not sweet enough.  The scoops seemed small but it turned out the server thought we wanted two flavors in one scoop, so that made sense.  Nevertheless, the ice cream was uninspired with a less than satisfying texture.  I do not recommend it. Continue reading →

Tricycle Ice Cream, Providence, 5/26/22

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building – 70 Battey St., Providence, RI., 02903

Tricycle Ice Cream opened in 2014 selling ice cream out of a 3 wheeled     vehicle at markets and such.  The storefront opened in Jan. 2019.  They were inspired by childhood memories and wanted to craft amazing ice cream sandwiched between excellent cookies.  They have regularly changing flavors and combinations ready made at the storefront.  There is a patio next to the building with picnic tables where you can enjoy your treats.  As you enter the small place there are counters you could eat at also.  At the counter you order and pick up your treats and then you just have to wait a few minutes for them to thaw enough to eat.  They now also offer fruit push pops made of sorbet and ice cream filled ‘tacos’ that are made with cone shells.  It is worth a stop if you are in the area. Continue reading →

Coneflower Creamery, Omaha, 5/8/22

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exterior – 3921 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68131

Coneflower Creamery is the inspiration of Founder/Chef Brian Langbehn and Katie Arant Chef/Co-Owner.  They had both worked as pastry chefs in various kitchens and dreamed of opening a farm to table ice cream shop featuring small batch artisan ice cream.  Their website even lists the local farms where they get the flavoring ingredients for their ice cream.  Their flavors have the Classics that are always on the menu as well as Signatures which highlight seasonal ingredients and plays on favorite foods and drinks. They also have sauces, toppings, floats, sundaes and the ice cream can be in a cone or a cup.  Their waffle cones were especially great.  One thing that impressed me was the way the end was folded over so no leaking while you’re eating occured.  The rich, thick and smooth ice cream is perfect in one of these cones.   The end of March they announced that a second location is pending in the Ashton Building.  If you can, try this place. Continue reading →

Graeter’s Ice Cream, Cincinnati, 4/22/22

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building – 332 Ludlow Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220

Graeter’s Ice Cream began with Louis Charles Graeter selling ice cream on the street in 1870.  By 1900 he and his wife, Regina, sold it out of a storefront while making it in back.  After 20 years Regina was widowed with a couple young sons and despite the stigma of women running a business she made the business thrive under her direction.  She began to expand in 1922, now competing with mass market options that didn’t use her small-batch French pots system.  Her sons eventually took over the business with one adding a bakery to the store and the other developing a unique way to blend chocolate into a batch.  The business continues to be in the family’s hands and now they have numerous locations here and in surrounding states and grocery stores.   The store we went in had the bakery and then the ice cream as well as lots of packaged products for sale.  By the front door was a freezer with pints of ice cream if you wanted to take some home.  I hope you’ll try it if you have the opportunity. Continue reading →

Cruze Farm Ice Cream, Knoxville, 4/13/22

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exterior – 445 S Gay St #3, Knoxville, TN 37902

Cruze Farm Ice Cream is made with milk and churned buttermilk from Earl and Cheri Cruze’s farm’s hormone-free Jersey cows.  The farm was established in 1980 and their not-homogenized milk is sold at some local markets.  In 1992 the family branched out to open a scoop shop  selling hand dipped ice cream churned from their products at a Target.   It closed after 8 years and the family concentrated on their milk business.  When their daughter Colleen joined her goal was to sell all the surplus milk and an ice cream store was the best way to do that.  In 2016 Colleen and her husband opened a store on Union and one on Gay Street in 2017 with plans for more.  They serve only soft-serve ice cream and mix it with multiple other ingredients and flavors.  We tried a Sassy Cow which contained sweet cream dipped in chocolate and drizzled with caramel and then sprinkled with salt.  A half order if called a ‘calf’ and a whole one is a ‘cow.’  It came in a cup and the chocolate sauce froze into a crisp layer.  Underneath the ice cream was smooth but tasteless.  It was all about the texture and not the taste.  I’d stick with their milk products – they sound fun. Continue reading →

Kilwins Knoxville, Knoxville, 4/12/22

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exterior – 408 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902

Kilwins has been in operation since 1947 and is now open in downtown Knoxville.  They sell 32 flavors of ice cream made from original recipes.  Waffle cones are available and also waffle bowls.  When you enter the long shop the front is filled with candies, caramel apples, fudges and other packaged sweets.  The ice cream is further in the back along with some stools and counters where you can sit inside and enjoy your treats.  The first time we visited they were making the waffles for the cones and cups as well as dipping Granny Smith apples in caramel.  The smell was heavenly and made you want to induldge.  We tried the Tennessee River Mud which is vanilla ice cream  mixed with chocolate chips and caramel and a praline pecan ice cream.  The praline pecan won the flavor contest, hands down, but both had excellent density and smoothness to the ice cream.  We tried the waffle bowl and it was a totally ingenious way to combine an often problematic yet very tasty cone.  The bowl was inside a plastic one so you could crack it up and eat with the tasty ice cream.  Get in there and try it.  I did try one of the caramel pecan candies but the pecans were on their way to rancid so be cautioned on the candies. Continue reading →

Leopold’s Ice Cream, Savannah, 3/1/22

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building

Leopold’s Ice Cream was founded in 1919 by three brothers from Greece, with one of their sons taking over after his father’s passing.  He later went on to pursue his dream of working in Hollywood and memorabilia of his 50 years in the industry decorate the shop today.  Other members of the family continued the business and the flagship store re-opened in 2004.  You can find their product being served at restaurants around the city and at the airport.  All of their super-premium ice cream is hand crafted  using the original, secret recipes handed down by the 3 brothers.  Walking by the store there was always a line to get in.  Once inside there were movie posters and old family photos covering the walls.  Several ‘scoopers’ were waiting to take your order.   The ice cream was very smooth and dense.  They served  ice cream in sundae, cup or cone form along with a variety of drinks. Continue reading →

Moomers Homemade Ice Cream, Traverse City, 9/30/21

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exterior

Moomers Homemade Ice Cream is a family owned business with that overlooks the family dairy farm.  They make more than 160 flavors of ice cream, with 20 available daily and also serve ice cream treats.  The milk from the cows next door is put into making the cones.  The ice cream has won numerous award and most recently was a part of President Joe Biden’s trip to get support of his infrastructure package in July 2021.  A tour bus pulled up as we were exiting, so there can be a wait, but it’s worth it.  The ice cream is thick, really smooth and the freezer containers store it at the perfect eating temperature/consistency.  We tried 2 double scoop cups and both were very good.  Not intensely flavored but the texture easily wins you over. Continue reading →

Wild Scoops, Anchorage, 8/2/18

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entrance
entrance

Wild Scoops is a local ice cream maker (all made in Anchorage) and wildly popular, if the line was any indication.  Their ice cream is made in small batches and tries to feature local flavors.  They offered enough flavors to choose from but not so many that it got confusing.  The hand dipped creamy flavors came in a cup or cone, some of which were made on site.  The waffle cone is made with cinnamon and their baked Alaska cone is topped with marshmallow fluff that is torched.  The place smells divine while you wait for your turn.   They also had lots of products for sale as well as souvenirs.  We tried the Sitka Swirl which was sweet cream with homemade salted caramel made with sea salt.  It was a lovely sweet, smooth ice cream that was nicely swirled with rich flavorful caramel.  The Alaska Birch almond was sweet cream and toasted almonds with Bridge Creek Birch Syrup.  Also, perfectly creamy and wonderfully flavored with the almonds which also added a little texture.   Stop by if you’re in the area. Continue reading →