So where's the REALLY GOOD ice cream?
 

Okay -- it's the 4th of July; it's 87 and reeeeelly humid where I am, and thoughts just naturally turn to that all-American treat. What's your favorite place? Who really knows how to "dish"? In Chicago, there's a neat place on the north side - rather deco-ish - called Zephyr. They know how to build a sundae! There are authentic, old-fashioned ice cream parlors in Columbus, Ind, and Manitowoc, WIS, but neither one has very good ice cream. Door County, Wis, prides itself on "single-scoop" cones that practically take two hands to hold. There's an ice cream parlor in Ludington, MI (a few steps from the ferry dock) that serves EXCELLENT, made on the premises, ice cream. Let's hear some favorites from across America, eh?

It's been fourteen years since I left Texas, but I still remember the taste of Blue Bell Cookies and Cream. I don't miss the July heat of Texas, but I SURE miss the Blue Bell ice cream!!

If your supermarket carries Kemp's "Chocolate Monster" ice cream, you are in for a monster treat. Chocolate with caramel and chocolate bits and peanuts all blended together into one smooth treat. Almost makes summer in Arizona bearable...almost.

The best is Deitch's in Findlay Ohio. All homemade. All intoxicating. Out of the way, but worth the trip.

Two places come to mind: <BR>1) King's Ice Cream in Lewes, DE <BR>2) The Creamery on the University Park campus of Penn State

Good question! <BR> Nothing beats homemade, but Mayfield Ice Cream in Athens, Tennessee comes close! Just off of exit 49 on Interstate 75 makes it easy for all to visit the place were it all started. Mayfields distribution area has grown from East Tennessee to the tri-state area. Taste a scoop and see! Enjoy..

The world stops with Breyers Butter Almond here in Pennsylvania !!!!!!!

Mmmmmmmmmm-mmmmmmm! These sound great! <BR>Jess: Is Athens anywhere near Johnson City or Jonesborough? I've got family down that way I can send on a scouting mission. <BR> <BR>One thing, though: Ice cream from the supermarket that comes out of your freezer just isn't the same kind of treat (at least to my mind) as some decadent thing that is hand-scooped for you. For one thing, ice cream consumed at home has calories -- whereas that which is acquired outside is curiously exempt. Another one of life's little mysteries.

I grew up in New England, where ice cream is eaten year round...and it's a safe bet that any ice cream from a super market can always be bested by the right homemade shop. (even Ben & Jerrys) <BR>

In my former hangout of Ithaca NY the best is Purity Ice Cream, a local concern right on Meadow Street. Here in the current environs of Syracuse NY it would have to be Gannon's in the valley area but the best I've EVER had anywhere was last summer in Toronto. On the main drag in Toronto's little Italy (can't remember the street but it runs east - west)is an Italian dessert joint/gelato parlor. They're on a northwest corner and sell only desserts and do have some outdoor seating. We had tiramisu gelato and it was incredible! It made Ben & Jerry's (which I like) taste like ordinary supermarket ice cream... this was the real thign and I can't wait to go back.

Was just discussing this last night with my husband. The two best ice creams in Portland oregon are: Tillamook Ice Cream made from the dairy in Tillamook and...Cold Stone. Cold Stone is an ice cream shop that makes their own ice cream fresh daily in a variety of basic flavors (chocolate, vanilla, amaretto, cheesecake, etc). Then you order whatever mix ins you want from fresh fruit to candy. They scoop the ice cream out onto a cold marble slab and mix in your choices. YUMMMY

If you can't have gelato at Vivoli's in Florence, Italy; then it has to be Blue Bell's Vanilla Bean--all natural ingredients from Brenham, Texas, but sold in most grocery stores. <BR>

Our votes go to: <BR> <BR>1. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard on Route 66 in St. Louis -- the Vanilla Concrete is the thickest, richest ice cream I've ever tasted. <BR> <BR>2. Merlino's Orange Freeze in my hometown of Sacramento. I really miss those during the summer months. The ice is so finely crushed it melts in your mouth and the juice tastes fresh squeezed. Yum.

Durham, NH <BR> <BR>The Dairy Barn...part of UNH's agriculture dept. <BR>Cheap, homemade and wonderful! <BR> <BR>Steve's in Boston area <BR> <BR>Roberto's in Portland, Oregon...the folks here copied Steve's in Boston. Mix - ins and home made. <BR> <BR> <BR>The Univ. of Wisconsin Dairy Bar was incredible back in 1972...is it still as decadent and cheap?

Ruth....Re the UW/Dairy Bay...I 'sume yer talkin' Madison, and I'm a ways from there. But will dispatch some friends to check it out... <BR> <BR>

Babcock Hall ice cream which is made right in the dairy state at the University of Wisconsin. Maybe this is the ice cream Ruth was referring to. I left Madison three years ago after being there for over 7 years. I don't remember the prices, but it sure was good. Also, to go outside the country, Berthillon in Paris is tres magnifique.

In Minneapolis, Sebastian Joe's can't be beat. I remember it well.

Not to be a contrarian, Dan, but I found Berthillon a disappointment. But I'm sure looking forward to copying this and visiting as many places as I can.

The best ice cream has always been in New England in general, Boston in particular beginning with Bailey's and Brigham's (more milk fat according to the owner). Herrell's and Steve's (same guy) are mostly gone, but really, Ben & Jerry's just can't be beat, especially right out of the container (with a paper towel wrapped around it) in one's pajamas in front of TV--or better yet, go to their factory in Vermont. All those cows have done their job... <BR>

Choco-tacos from the supermarket. <BR>

Giffords in Bethesda MD has wonderful Swiss Chocolate, and their Pistachio is also mmmm. At the beach, it is the Island Creamery on Beach Road in Chincoteague Island, VA. Fresh Peach, or Black Raspberry ice cream.

Anderson's custard... Buffalo,N.Y. <BR>smoothest, creamiest...THE BEST...end of discussion

Now really, what sort of threads would we have if we bowed to those who announce "end of discussion"? tsk. <BR>OK, if we're limited to ice cream (as opposed to gelato), my vote goes to Lazy Sundae in Arlington, Virginia. And I used to love Hillary's in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, but I don't know if that's even there any longer.

Graeters in Cincinnati has the most unbelievable ice-cream. I believe you can even have it sent to you! <BR>

Ok, I have a question for everyone. A few years ago, when I lived in Wisconsin, I used to buy an apple pie ice cream in the carton. It had real crust in with the apples. Delicious. I have been looking for it since. Does anyone know if this still exists and who makes it. Edy's maybe?

I'm with Raeona on Berthillon's ice cream in Paris. Their "large" was tres petit!!!!! The ice cream was ok, but CERTAINLY nothing special, especially after having walked around looking for the place. <BR>

Dear Raeona, <BR> To answer your question- Athens is about 140 miles south of Johnson City. However, Mayfield products are available from the market in Johnson City (I am a former resident of Johnson City). It is good from the market but better in scoops from the source. <BR> Also, Mayfield Ice Cream was named the "World's Best Ice Cream" by Time Mag. in 1981. Time has not named a new champion since! Come on down and try the world's best ice cream, next to homemade. Regards,

The best I've ever had in the U.S. was at Adriana's Gelateria in the Five Points section of Columbia, SC. You can't beat their Italian-style ice creams (plain old chocolate is my personal recommendation)! Enjoy :)

NORWAY !

Lychee mochi at Bubbie's in Honolulu, otherwise, I'd second Scandinavia. Try Finnish. <BR>

Choco-tacos! I forgot about those, yummy. <BR> <BR>Thrifty Ice Cream - best bang for the the buck.

Being in Freeport Maine, walking out of LL Bean and finding out the the Ben & Jerry booth in front is giving away free ice cream that day and asking for a donation to help kids go to camp. It was late April and apparently no set day that this happens! Now THAT is great Ice cream!

The "gold standard" of ice cream in the Boston area: Kimball Farm either in Littleton or Carlisle.

JoAnn, every April, Ben and Jerry's has a free scoop day when cones are free at all Ben and Jerry's across the country. I once volunteered at a Ben and Jerry's in DC to help out that day. I could barely lift my arm the next day after scooping so much. But, you're right, that is the best kind of ice cream!

Re Kimballs Ice cream in Littleton Mass.When I first went there they served humongus banana splits for 35 cents.Just delicious.We would travel over an hour to get there.Haven't been there in years but I have been told they still serve the largest and best tasting banana split for the money.I am enjoying these posts.Is this amount of posts some kind of a record for replying to a topic? <BR>

<BR>I love Bings in Puerto Vallarta, second only to anything in Europe.

There is a Kimball's in Jaffrey, New Hampshire too, and yes, their servings are the biggest I've ever seen; I'm an ice-cream-aholic, and I have to order a kiddie size which is at least, if not more, the size of a Ben & Jerry's pint. <BR>

My wife and are ice cream enthusiasts. When we were in Australia we discovered some shops that sold flavors 2 differnt ways. Regular hard scooped or the same flavor served just slightly softened (not soft from a machine..but kept at a softer consistency) and scooped....really brings out the flavor. <BR> <BR>Just curious....am I the only one that has microwaved ice cream at a low power to soften it..instead of letting it sit at room temp for proper consistency? <BR>

I'd vote for a tie for first place between Vivoli in Florence and Berthillon in Paris, but if I'm restricted to the US, my vote goes to Gray's Ice Cream in Tiverton, RI. Much better than any of the Boston chains and a lot more character.

I'd vote for a tie for first place between Vivoli in Florence and Berthillon in Paris, but if I'm restricted to the US, my vote goes to Gray's Ice Cream in Tiverton, RI. Much better than any of the Boston chains and a lot more character.