The Best Ice Cream Made IS........

[aenea]

Well for me, it's got to be Ben & Jerry's. They have it all. The best texture, the wildest flavors, and chock full of yummy stuff to crunch on.

Long live Ben & Jerry !!!

[Edwardina]

Dryer's Dreamery has recently come out and they have some funky flavors.

[Vestal Blue]

Haagen Daz, Rum Raisin! Yummmmmmmmmmm!

[Duck Duck Goose]

<< peeking out of closet >>

Tofutti.

<< ducking back inside closet and holding door shut from the inside >>

[brachyrhynchos]

Turkey Hill's Chocholate Mint Chip (less chip than shavings)
and Death by Chocolate.

Ben & Jerry's Wavy Gravy. Once drove from New Hampshire's Lake Winnapesaukee to Burlington Vermont to stop at Ben & Jerry's factory. That's the longest I drove for ice cream.

Schwann's Strawberry Ice Cream.

[Czarcasm]

The best ice cream is Godiva.

[Kilgore Trout]

raspberry cheese louise.

[GreenEyes]

Dolly Madison Black Cherry...

[SisterCoyote]

ColdStone cheesecake (or chocolate); add whatever you like.

[London_Calling]

Hey aenea. Being the quiet, sober and reserved sort of chap I am, I didn’t draw any kind of connection with this thread and another one whose name…….i can’t remember.

Wait a minute, it’s here in my head, hang on, tip of my tongue. Damn, what was that…. I’ll remember in a minute, after the anything chocolate ice cream.

Never been able to understand why Cheech and Chong never diversified into ice cream. Well, I probably do.

[aenea]

ROFTL

[Gr8Kat]

Umpqua Ice Cream from Rice Hill, Oregon, is pretty tasty.

[CalMeacham]

Breyer's Vanilla. No question.

They list the ingredients in huge letters on the top of the container -- no artificial flavors, emulsifiers, no carageenan gum or guar gum or anything that sounds remotely like a chemical. And it tastes the way vanilla should.

[Ukulele Ike]

The homemade stuff from roadside stands in Maine.

Especially those odd New England flavors that you can't get down here in NYC, and that Haagen Daz would never think of manufacturing in thousand-ton lots. Maple Walnut. Black Raspberry.

[Omniscient]

I don't like shit floating in my ice cream any more than I like it in my Jello. Plain smooth flavors are the best, ergo the fancy overpriced shit listed here can melt on the store shelves.

The best for my money is the homemade stuff. Specifically the stuff made at a pizza/ice cream shoppe down the road from me, the Banana flavor is to die for.

[divemaster]

Baskin-Robbins Pralines 'n' Cream

I'm biased, since I worked at BR31 off and on for several years during high school, summers, and between college semesters. I've never had a store brand as good as Baskin Robbins.

[TVeblen]

Of widely available brands, Ben & Jerry's and Bryer's Dreamery. Dreamery has a Mad About Malt that is pure sin in a carton.

The carriage-trade and local varieties can be wonderful. But for commonly known names, B&J and Dreamery are great.

(Oh, and London Calling? You are one sly, dry, funny sucker.)

Veb

[SkeptiJess]

My favorite ice cream flavor is Pink Peppermint -- which is only available during the Christmas season. One of the reasons this atheist loves Christmas...

During the rest of the year, I like Hagan Daas Dulce de Leche. Good stuff and it reminds me of my favorite musical.

::singing:: If I were a bell I'd go ding-dong, ding-dong, diiiiing!

Jess

[tshirts]

My favorite is also the cheapest.
Thrifty, which had a drugstore chain here recently bought out by RiteAide.

They were an icecream stand long before, and still sell cones in the drugstore, in lots of flavors, a modern rarity for the drugstore. Takes you back to the old Woolworth lunch counter days.

The very best icecream, and I buy it by the 2-1/2 gallon economy size.

[osiej]

<<in a tiny voice, awaiting the inevitable newbie flame>>

Blue Bell Vanilla. From Brenham, Texas. No contest.

As the advertisements say (paraphrase), "Why does Blue Bell taste so good? Because the cows think Brenham is Heaven."
YUM!

<<crawls back into hole>>

[HomeSlice]

I really like the Food Lion Strawberry Shortcake. Weird eh?

[aenea]

osiej, no flames await you here. Wrong forum!

Here, let me offer you some Ben and Jerry's, any flavor you can think of. I'll change your mind about that Blue Bell, I promise.

tshirts, the only place I have ever seen Thrifty drugstores are in Calif, and yes, I for one was glad they sold ice cream.

[geezer voice] Why, when I was growing up in So. Cal. you could buy one scoop for 15cents, that's right, 15 cents. A double was 30 cents, and by George we scraped up every nickel to get it then too. Dadgum it! Now it's all this fancy schmancy flavors and colors and it costs a small fortune ($3.50) to get a small thingy of ice cream. [/geezer voice]

Haagen Daz vanilla swiss almond........now that's good ice cream!

[osiej]

Not to hijack the thread, or anything ...

Homeslice, I DO understand the Jeep Thing. I'm nervoussly awaiting the verdict on an engine transplant for my Cherokee. (had 189,000+ miles) I miss my Jeep!

I can't speak for Foodlion (we don't have 'em here in these parts) but BLUE BELL strawberry cheesecake is second only to the vanilla.
<<still cringing, waiting for the flame>>

[aenea]

kiddo, you need to lose your flame fear. Sheesh. Whoever warned you like that did you no favors. Most people are not like that, especially if you don't come in and start telling folks what to do and how to do it.

So far you are just fine, so relax.

You are forgiven for the thread hijack, this time anyways. I happen to agree with you. Homeslice, I get the jeep thing too. I have a Grand Cherokee that I will not part with, and my hubby goes Jamboree-ing in his Wrangler.

[HomeSlice]

Ah, I was wrong, its strawberry cheesecake ice cream from food lion that i like sooooo much.

[Koffing]

When I was a very small boy, I loved Baskin-Robbins Daquiri Ice. It always gave me a special feeling. I wonder if they still make that flavor....

[osiej]

and may the strawberry cheese cake ice cream (of any brand) flow on, to all those who wish to mainline it. I know I would, if I could just get those little chucks properly liquified ...

Aenea, thanks. I'll take you up on the Ben and Jerry's offer (also really, really great ice cream) but I'm not not too sure you can sway me from the great Texas favorite. I grew up with it, and I'm now, at least, chronologically an adult (just ask my nephews, they'll tell you different!) and I just can't shake the Blue Bell habit.
Another great Ice cream - Amy's. To my knowledge, it's a regional distribution. Started here in my home town, and it is truly wonderful. Super rich, super creamy, and super sinful. For all of you who like crunchy add-ins, rest assured. Amy's invented the "crush-in"- butterfingers, fruit, m&m's, pretty much anything you could wish for. YUM!!
And Aenea (have I spelled that correctly?) thanks for reminding me that flames only happen in the pit!
Long live ice cream addictions!

[DRY]

tshirts, the only place I have ever seen Thrifty drugstores are in Calif, and yes, I for one was glad they sold ice cream.

[geezer voice] Why, when I was growing up in So. Cal. you could buy one scoop for 15cents, that's right, 15 cents. A double was 30 cents, and by George we scraped up every nickel to get it then too. Dadgum it! Now it's all this fancy schmancy flavors and colors and it costs a small fortune ($3.50) to get a small thingy of ice cream. [/geezer voice]

I used to work at a Toys 'R Us after my freshman year in college. (After that, I'd built up enough seniority at my student job to work there, and be spared the horrors of $3.45 an hour)

Besides getting paid once a week, and the fact that it was close enough to work to be able to walk home, the ONLY good thing about working in that damned place was that there was a Thrifty's right next door. I'd go there after work on Sundays (other days, the Thrifty's would be closed before we closed Toys R' Us), and get a triple scoop of ice cream, and eat it on the walk home. Usually two scoops of chocolate malted crunch and one of pralines and cream. I wish I were as easily satisfied nowadays.

My friends and I would also go to Thrifty's and indulge after a hard fought game of "strikeout" (aka "fast pitch").

[Narile]

Back in Dayton, or more accurately outside of Dayton, was Young's Dairy. They used to make ice cream to die for. I think they've gone to commercial in the last few years since I've gone there last though.

Personally, vanilla is the best flavor....but Peanut Butter Fudge Milkshakes are also great; one of the few things that will make me risk the punishments of eating milk and/or icecream. Is like sucking a Reeses through a straw, YUM!!

[aenea]

sigh.....

[divemaster]

When I was a very small boy, I loved Baskin-Robbins Daquiri Ice. It always gave me a special feeling. I wonder if they still make that flavor....

Yes

[osiej]

Oh Yes.... Young's Dairy .... YUM!!!
I can't speak for "SELLING OUT" I have not been to Youngs in 3 -4 years. However, if it is still the same, then, bravo Youngs. YUM YUM YUM YUM!!! Young's Dairy, Ohio, is, unquestionably, the best. I was born not far from Youngs. I have sinced roamed far and wide, however, I look forward to any excuse to take me back to Southern Ohio to partake of the wonders of Youngs Dairy, Yellow Springs Ohio. (the king kong banannna split).

[Ann Onimous]

Right now, it would be Ben and Jerry's Everything But The... It is pretty awesome! But back home, there was a place called White Mountain Creamery. They had a Bourbon Ball ice cream that was out of this world!

[lswote]

Haagen Daaz Chocolate, Chocolate Chip. Very hard and with a big spoon.

[flodnak]

Hennig Olsen, a Norwegian brand which isn't exported anyplace because we're too selfish to share. (Nyaaah.)

This is real Scandinavian ice cream, as opposed to Haagen Dazs. You know where that name comes from, right? It's Danish for "Made in New Jersey". Hennig Olsen is what Haagen Dazs dreams it might someday grow up to be.

The only problem is, choosing which flavor to declare the best. That's like asking me which of my kids I like best. So I'll cheat and pick Tricolori - the world's best vanilla, strawberry and chocolate ice creams in one package.

[Annie-Xmas]

BEN & JERRY'S no question. New flavors all
the time, and just damn good. Southern
Pecan Pie is my all time favorite FOOD.

When they first opened, we use to drive
up from Massachusetts to get it. One of
the happiest days in my life was when
I found them in the grocery.

As a sideline, Hagen-Daas strawberry frozen
yogurt combined with their strawberry sorbet
is great!

[elbows]

President's Choice
Crackle Ice Cream,


I could go for some right now!

[Ukulele Ike]

Omni's post about smooth flavors got me to thinking...whatever happened to Haagen Daz's Honey Vanilla?

I really loved that stuff. It was nice and subtle, and seemed much creamier than their regular vanilla.

[teela brown]

I thought American I.C. kicked butt until I got my lips around French hazelnut ice cream. Anyone ever been to Berthillon's on the Isle St. Louis in Paris? Then there is Italian gelato, which I tried for the first time a few months ago. The name had been putting me off -- it sounded like some kind of jello. WRONG! Smooth, luscious ice cream in adult flavors like pistachio, hazelnut, and milk chocolate. Once you've had European ice cream, you'll never go back.

[matt_mcl]

Yes! Yes! Yes! Berthillon!

I read about it in my Grade 9 French textbook, and only had the opportunity to try it last spring when my momma and I went to Paris... we ran into my fave English teacher from college (Big Gay Brian) and we all went to Ile St-Louis.

Anyway... can you imagine pear and blackcurrant sherbet!??!

At any rate, the best ice cream in Montreal is Ripples, on St. Laurent Street across from Schwartz'; that or Ben & Jerry's.

[Jenbo]

Kimball's cookies and cream, westford MA
not only is it great but the normal serving is the size of a tub you'd buy at the store

[JavaMaven1]

I loooove Starbuck's Mocha Almond Fudge Swirl--a bowl of that leaves me in an ecstatic swoon for hours.

Other than that, I have an ice-cream maker of my own, so I've been playing with flavors, and seeing what works best. The best ones I've had so far:
Strawberry-Port ice cream
Mojito Sorbet (Rum, lime, and mint--after a popular Cuban drink)
Citrus-Triple Sec Sorbet (lemon, lime, orange & triple sec)

[aenea]

Hennig Olsen, a Norwegian brand which isn't exported anyplace because we're too selfish to share. (Nyaaah.)

This is real Scandinavian ice cream, as opposed to Haagen Dazs. You know where that name comes from, right? It's Danish for "Made in New Jersey". Hennig Olsen is what Haagen Dazs dreams it might someday grow up to be.

The only problem is, choosing which flavor to declare the best. That's like asking me which of my kids I like best. So I'll cheat and pick Tricolori - the world's best vanilla, strawberry and chocolate ice creams in one package.

So I guess this means you aren't sending me any samples.

[Eo Echo]

Ben & Jerry's Peanut Butter Cup. It kicks my ass.

[Kyla]

The ice cream at the Ile de St. Louis is excellent stuff, the best I had ever had until...

...I went to Italy. Oooof. Mmm. Gelato.

I've also heard that the ice cream in St. Petersburg (Russia, not Florida) is excellent, but I have never been there. Until I have that opportunity, the gelateria my friends and I popped into on the way to the Spanish Steps in Rome will always hold a special place in my heart.

[ricepad]

The absolute best ice cream is the real homemade stuff, that is, made at home. Use a real vanilla bean (split, scraped, and every little bit thrown into the cream 'n' sugar mix overnight), and only the best ingredients. Let the mixture mellow for at least 12 hours, then throw it into an ice cream freezer and wait for the magic to happen. Yeah, it melts faster than store-bought ice cream, but that's because it doesn't have gelatin or other stablizers in it to muck up the flavors.

I don't like Breyers...even though the labels say they use only the best stuff, it tastes awful, IMHO. Plus, I don't appreciate the way they dissed Dreyer's, but that's another story.

As for Thrifty ice cream...I 'member when it was a NICKEL a scoop...made myself sick on a quarter there once.

[DRY]

As for Thrifty ice cream...I 'member when it was a NICKEL a scoop...made myself sick on a quarter there once.

All this talk prompted me to go to the local Rite Aid, and I found out that the price of a single scoop is now 89 cents! (I still would have gotten some ice cream if the stand hadn't been temporarily closed).

[dragonlady]

Omni, Ben and Jerrys has some smooth flavors, try the coffee. Well worth a try.
As for me, Ben and Jerrys Coffee Heath Bar Crunch. Has to be the COFFEE Heath Bar, the vanilla just isn't close.
As my Mom used to say "There's no such thing as Yucky ice cream!"

[mangeorge]

I just tried a new (to me) flavor from B&J, called "From Russia With Buzz". Great stuff, as youw ould expect.
So what's up with them? They sold out? To whom?
BTW; Gelato is available here in Berkeley. And it is yummy. Very dense and rich.
Peace,
mangeorge

[rackensack]

I've mentioned before my fondness for Yarnell's Ice Cream, made in Searcy, Arkansas, and distributed only in Arkansas and border areas of the surrounding states. The Homemade Vanilla flavor is, IMHO, the platonic ideal that Blue Bell only approaches distantly (sorry, Texans).

There's a Thai restaurant near my house that makes their own ice creams that are fabulous -- red bean, mango, and my personal favorite, coconut. They're made with only milk, cream, and sugar -- no eggs, which gives them a very different, slightly icy but still creamy, consistency. It's a practice I've adopted in my own homemade ice cream, which usually gets rave reviews from guests.