# What's your local Ice Cream Parlor? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 20, 2014, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871 "2014-05-20T22:26:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/21 "2014-05-21T15:34:07Z")
I remember going to Friendly as a child. They changed after the added the “'s”. Teaneck, NJ has Bischoffs, a very old fashion ice cream parlor. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/22 "2014-05-21T15:41:44Z")
I’ve lived in my current house about 7 months now, and I was constantly hearing the jingle of the ice cream truck; I used to think the same ice cream truck was driving around the block 40 times a day, but it turns out it’s 40 _different_ ice cream trucks driving past the house once. I live a few hundred yards from the headquarters and warehouse of the local ice cream wholesaler, who basically supplies the entire DC area with ice cream, including ice cream trucks (I’m pretty sure every ice cream truck in the area is based from their lot). The ice cream trucks all go wherever they’re ultimately headed through our neighborhood, so here, the ice cream comes to us! ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/23 "2014-05-21T15:45:30Z")
[Asher Dairy Bar](http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/200/1034449/restaurant/Asher-Dairy-Bar-Little-Rock) in Little Rock. A mom & pop place thats been around sine the 60’s. Still makes shakes, floats, banana splits and really good chocolate dipped cones. A piece of my childhood anytime I walk up to that window. They even have a small indoor seating area, but I prefer getting it at the window and eating in my car. btw, it was on Asher Ave. for forty years. Then the stupid city planners renamed the road to Colonel Glen Rd. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/24 "2014-05-21T15:47:11Z")
Farrells in San Jose, CA is the one I grew up with. When we moved to the greater Sacramento Area, we had Leatherby’s, but as noted by **Amateur Barbarian** it lacked ambiance. We have a new Farrell’s now. Opened last year, I think. There was much controversy. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/25 "2014-05-21T15:49:27Z")
Growing up in Vancouver, WA, I don’t recall any “local” ice cream parlors. If we had ice cream it was either Dairy Queen or, if we were feeling all fancy and hoity, Baskin-Robbins. When I lived in Oakland, CA, Fenton’s (mentioned above) was the destination place. Those not from around here might know it as the ice cream parlor they visit at the end of the Pixar movie Up (the Pixar campus is only a couple miles away). I currently live in San Leandro and there are two candidates: [Loard’s](http://www.loards.com/), which is a local chain that has been around since the 1950s. There’s one right across the street from me but I must admit I’m not fond of it. Their ice cream reminds me of the generic store-brand half-gallon ice cream we’d eat at home as a kid. It’s fine but nothing I’d recommend. The other one is [Clancy’s Ice Cream parlor](http://www.yelp.com/biz/clancys-ice-cream-parlour-san-leandro) which is a single hole-in-the-wall store. Good ice cream, huge scoops (if quantity is your thing, I’m always trying to get him to cut back to something human sized). Their mango ice cream is apparently really good but I don’t like mango so I’ve never had it. The fruit flavors I’ve had have all been good and there are some Asian-inspired flavors as well (ube, makapuno, the now ubiquitous green tea). The place itself is a bit sketchy but the ice cream is really good. For gourmet ice creams we head into the city for Bi-Rite or Mr and Mrs Miscellaneous. Humphrey Slocumb is popular among my friends but for some reason doesn’t really click for me. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/26 "2014-05-21T15:57:34Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > [Margie’s](http://www.margiesfinecandies.com/) is the only one I’ve found near me. Absolutely delicious. But I hope \*\*pulykamell \*\*pops in to tell me that there are others around, because parking near Margie’s is…adventuresome. > [@jnglmassiv](#): > > If you find yourself in Niles on a hot day, try [Village Creamery](http://www.villagecreamery.com/index.html). The website is kinda sucky but they have lots of unique flavors. See [LTH’s take on it](http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=26554). > And it is across from [Super HMart](http://www.yelp.com/biz/super-h-mart-niles). Or my favorite, which is [Homer’s](http://www.homersicecream.com/)up in Kenilworth, which isn’t too far from the Metra stop up there. They sell their ice cream at some different retail spots around town too, like at Macy’s at Water Tower and at Lou Malnati’s. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/27 "2014-05-21T15:59:17Z")
Where I grew up in Connecticut, we had a hole-in-the-wall ice cream shop. There was no inside seating and really no outside seating either. You ordered ice cream at the window and typically ate it standing up or in the car in the parking lot. (Or you could rush home quickly before it melted.) It was only open in the summer. And we’d often go there without even putting on shoes. Their big specialty was soft serve ice cream, especially dipped into chocolate to make a shell. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/28 "2014-05-21T16:09:02Z")
Here in the Greater Cleveland area Dairy Queen in ubiquitous. There are however plenty of other alternatives, such as [East Coast Original Custard](http://www.eastcoastcustard.com/), [Handel’s](http://www.handelsicecream.com/),[Mitchell’s](http://mitchellshomemade.com/), and [Honey Hut](http://www.honeyhut.com/). There are tons of small single shops all over as well, that list is just the big local/regional chains. And of course, Malley’s as Chronos mentioned (although I wouldn’t consider them the gold standard). There is no shortage of places to get ice cream around here! ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/29 "2014-05-21T16:25:13Z")
Within walking distance it’s [Christina’s](http://christinasicecream.com/). They have a spice shop next door so some of the flavors are amazing. Check out their flavor list. Further away I go to [Kimball’s](http://www.kimballfarm.com/), the original location in Westford. I used to love to get a Kimball’s Special but that’s just too much ice cream for me these days. But a cone is great in the middle of a long bike ride. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/30 "2014-05-21T16:59:55Z")
> [@Missy2U](#): > > [The Plush Horse.](http://www.theplushhorse.com/) We would stop every Sunday after church in the summer. Wow, total childhood flashback. Do they still have that awesome New York cherry? ---
**Author:** ![Grrlbrarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrlbrarian/32/4048_2.png) [@Grrlbrarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrlbrarian)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/31 "2014-05-21T17:00:42Z")
Ahhh, Farrell’s! I had birthday parties there as a child. What a sad day it was when that closed. ☹ In the Bloomington-Normal, IL area, the specialty is [Carl’s Ice Cream](http://www.carlsicecream.com/). Although it wasn’t here when I was a child, my new favorite in the Peoria, IL area is [Las Delicias Helados y Paletas](http://www.yelp.com/biz/las-delicias-helados-y-paletas-peoria). Eye-closing bliss upon the first bite, and the flavors… fresh mango, eggnog, cajeta, and many more. Haven’t tasted a bad one yet. In the St. Louis area, the venerable tradition was always [Ted Drewe’s Frozen Custard](http://www.teddrewes.com/home/default.aspx) at the Chippewa location. Love the Cardinal Sin concrete with hot fudge and sour cherries. My ex-husband’s family has apparently switched to [Fritz’s Frozen Custard](http://www.fritzsfrozencustard.com/) and claim it’s better. I have a tough time believing that one! 😛 And personally, if I’m visiting St. Louis, I’m always tempted to visit the [Crown Candy Kitchen](http://crowncandykitchen.net/) as well for a butterscotch malted. Dang, now I want to run up the street for an ice cream lunch. No wonder I’m not skinny! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/32 "2014-05-21T18:48:43Z")
We’ve got Massey’s Frozen Custard within walking distance. Fresh, store-made ice cream and custard. It used to be open from March through September, but the new owners decided to keep it open year-round. We’ve also got Leo’s (same general concept) a block or two from Massey’s. Neither has any seating to speak of, but the ice cream is phenomenal. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/33 "2014-05-21T18:53:45Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Wow, total childhood flashback. Do they still have that awesome New York cherry? Not according to their website - it’s not one of the flavors listed. But I haven’t been there in - oh good lord - over 30 years? I wish we had something around here like that - I would have loved to have taken my kid when he was young. DAYUM - I’m OLD!! ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Righteous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Dr.Righteous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Righteous)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/34 "2014-05-21T19:27:56Z")
[Applegate Farm](http://www.applegatefarm.com/). Just had their Graham Central Station over the weekend… ---
**Author:** ![Gus\_Gusterson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85f322/32.png) [@Gus\_Gusterson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gus_Gusterson)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/35 "2014-05-21T19:44:25Z")
We have a local premium ice cream place but we don’t go there much anymore. A kid’s cup or cone costs $4.25 now. For the cost of 3 of them (two kids and my wife) we can get 2 half gallons of really good ice cream from the super market. I also found out that they don’t even really make their own ice cream. They buy the base from an ice cream shop a few miles away and mix in the flavorings. It’s working for them - the owner bought a million-dollar house in our neighborhood - but I don’t think it’s worth the money. ---
**Author:** ![dublos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f08c70/32.png) [@dublos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dublos)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/36 "2014-05-21T20:05:34Z")
Local Favorites… [Izzy’s Ice Cream](http://izzysicecream.com/) was featured on the Throwdown with Bobby Flay[cooking challenge](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6zA6BFPR54). They started in St. Paul and opened up a Minneapolis Location that’s about a 1 mile walk from my apartment. [Grand Ole Creamery](http://grandolecreamery.com/web/) which has apparently expanded to also serve Pizza since I was there last. On the reminiscing side… Growing up, in Rochester, Minnesota, the ice cream parlor that was local was [Bridgeman’s](http://www.bridgemans.com/). I also remember [Farrell’s](http://www.farrellsusa.com/) as much for the candy shop as the ice cream. It used to be a frequent stop on family trips, I’d always buy some rock candy. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/37 "2014-05-21T20:23:58Z")
There was a Cold Stone Creamery about 1/4 mile from where I now live, but it closed a few years ago; now the nearest one is Baskin-Robbins, about 1/2 mile away. There’s also a Double Rainbow a little farther away, but I’m not sure if it’s an “ice cream parlor” or a cafe that just happens to sell Double Rainbow. ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/38 "2014-05-21T23:48:05Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > We have a new Farrell’s now. Opened last year, I think. There was much controversy. Controversy? The pin-striped waiters drop another Zoo in a customer’s lap? What happened? –G? ---
**Author:** ![Nayna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ebca7d/32.png) [@Nayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nayna)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/39 "2014-05-22T00:04:42Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Teaneck, NJ has Bischoffs, a very old fashion ice cream parlor. BISCHOFF’S! I went there all the time growing up - my grandmother lived on Cedar Lane in Teaneck. If it’s still there, I’ll have to swing by the next time I’m in NJ. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871/40 "2014-05-22T00:27:22Z")
> [@Grestarian](#): > > Controversy? > The pin-striped waiters drop another Zoo in a customer’s lap? > > What happened? > > –G? [There was a horrible accident.](http://www.sacbee.com/farrell/) Some people objected to Farrell’s coming back to town because of the memories. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-local-ice-cream-parlor/688871.md?page=3)