<BR>The best Cookies & Cream I've ever had (and I've tried that flavor MANY places) is made by Blue Bell here in Texas (out of a carton, no less!!) The BEST vanilla I've ever had is actually called Mexican Vanilla and made by Amy's Ice Cream Shops. There are Amy's in Houston, Austin and San Antonio, TX. Cass, I'm not a big fan of peppermint ice cream, but I actually found one I REALLY like here in Galveston, TX!!! There is an old-fashioned ice cream shop in "downtown" Galveston that makes their own ice cream and candy. They make the peppermint candy and mix it in their own ice cream, and the result is one big YUM!!! I tasted it kind of by accident when a store worker suggested I sample it because it was his favorite flavor. Wow! Good stuff! Of the ice creams I've mentioned though, I'd have to say that Amy's is the clear winner with their Mexican Vanilla. Everyone I take to Amy's for the first time usually says, "Oh, I don't want to taste that; I'm not a big vanilla fan." Then I force(!) them to taste it and they end up getting it! I wish I knew what they mix in the ice cream to get that flavor!!!

<BR>Oops, I guess it would help Cass (if she should make it over to Galveston sometime) to state the name of the place that makes the peppermint ice cream. It's called LaKings. It's located downtown in the Strand District. If you come to the Galveston port for a Carnival cruise, stop in at LaKing's first (and, no, I don't work there!) :-)

I must put in my recomendation for Dave and Andy's Homemade Ice Cream located near the University of Pittsburgh main campus---I wouldn't have gotten through college without it!!! :)

<BR>I already posted, but thought I'd bring this to the top so others can reply. It's a fun thread.

I grew up in New England, which I consider to be an excellent training ground for discerning the finer qualities of ice cream. I've tasted better, but still think fondly of those Brigham's cones of my childhood. Steve's Ice Cream ? Great stuff! And does anyone remember Emack & Bolio's in Cambridge? Think they don't exist anymore. And those happy cows in Stowe, CT that help churn out Ben & Jerry's ---- mmmmmmm! <BR> <BR>ANYHOW, back to real time. I've lived in Texas for a few years now. And Amy's Ice Cream (Mexican Vanilla) is a MEMORABLE taste sensation! I'd have to disagree with several of the Blue Bell fans. I'm not overly impressed with the 'little creamery in Brenham' --- it's okay, but no great shakes in my book. <BR> <BR>What I'm truly excited to report is that DALLAS, TEXAS now has a gelateria. And we are talking a GENUINE, REAL, ALMOST TASTES LIKE VIVOLI's in Florence taste sensation. <BR>I may not be spelling it correctly; "Pachuga's" (?) is located on Lover's Lane in Dallas (north side of the street, across from the Inwood Theatre, & right next door to Sonny Bryan's). <BR> <BR>If you're ever in Dallas & are in need of a gelato fix, get thee to this place. It is FABULOUS!

Tina, Right across the street from some of my favorite shopping--Turtletique, The Market. I'm headed there next month and that'll be lunch. :&gt; Thanks!

OliveOyl --- you'll be in for a treat! Get a 'grande' cuppa & try several of their flavors --- mmmmmmm, I might have to dash out for a fix now. I logged into the Dallas Morning News website (their GuideLive directory has restaurants listed online) and here's the correct spelling & address for the gelateria. <BR> --------------- <BR>Paciugo Gelato <BR>5509 W. Lovers Lane <BR>at Inwood Road <BR>Dallas, TX 75209 <BR>214-956-7979 <BR> <BR>Hours <BR>Mon-Thu 12:00pm-10:00pm <BR>Fri-Sat 12:00pm-11:00pm <BR>Fri-Sat 12:00pm-11:00pm <BR> <BR>

In San Antonio, TX, try Mango ice cream in the Menger Hotel. The Menger Hotel is located just off the Riverwalk, next to the Alamo.

Just want to keep this going - I'M STARVING for ice cream!!!!!!!!

Fond memories of Duffy's in San Leandro, CA. A little mom and pop shop that made the richest, creamiest, most delicious strawberry frappe ice cream imaginable. No seating inside the shop; you took your cone over to the little park across the street and had your treat on the lawn on a warm summer evening. Many yrs. ago I brought a gallon of Duffy's to the firehouse when I was preparing for an interview. Best choice of firehouse desserts that I ever made.... Duffy's has passed on but I'm still here!

This thread has been running for 2 years! I think I am going to have ice cream for breakfast - must run to the store....now!

1. Beal's in Portland and Scarborough, ME - Apple Pie with pieces of crust, Banana Cream Pie with chunks of fruit and crust, German Chocolate Cake with real fudge... <BR>2. Univ. of Conn. Dairy Bar in Storrs, CT <BR>3. Shady Glen in Manchester, CT - Awesome seasonal specials like Easter (cherries, coconut, almonds)and Christmas (three kinds of cherries). Have one of their unique cheeseburgers first - the cheese is crispy! Hmmm...I think I'll have to run over there for lunch!

Wow - what a trip down memory lane!! All the references to Boston ice cream parlors bring back very happy memories. <BR> <BR>Bailey's - going shopping with my mom at Filene's Basement and getting a sundae at Baileys as a treat afterwards. <BR> <BR>Brighems - remember the old joke - "did you hear that Brighems and Friendlys were going to merge. They're going to call the new store Frig 'ems". (that was so funny was I was 10. I love their ice cream and its the only stuff we buy at the supermarket. Favorite right now is the "Big Dig". <BR> <BR>Carters - Had my first date with my husband there. 8 years later went there as our last date a couple of nights before we got married. Had mocha frappes both times. <BR> <BR>Does anyone remember Big Alice's in Providence? I loved their "wet cherry" topping.

I'm an ice cream connoseur/addict. In the Boston area, Richardson's in Middlesex is the best, especially pistachio. Others have said Kimball's was the best in this area, I haven't been there, but will make a point of trying it. Thanks!

This is a flavor not a place but when I was a kid Mandarin Orange from Baskin Robbins was it for me, it was made w/ that rich dark chocloate - yum! Anyone ever sample this flavor? Haven't been to BR in years, do they still sell it?

St. Louis is the place to go for frozen custard. Ted Drews is great, and has a great history, but there are debates about whether it is better than some of the newer places. <BR> <BR>For ice cream, Crown Candy Kitchen in downtown St. Louis is great. They make thier own candy and ice cream and also have sandwiches. Sort of a dream lunch for me - have a huge sundae for dessert, then buy some candy for later. They also have the best chocolate bunnies at Easter.

As an American living overseas, I really miss ice cream from home. My favorite place is Goodberry's in Garner NC and they have a branch in Myrtle Beach ,SC at Broadway at the Beach. I always get vanilla with wet walnuts mixed in.....yummy! <BR>I've had Graeter's too in Cincinatti- mmmm mmmmm good. <BR>The closest I've had to a fave since living abroad is in Winter at Baskin Robbins - Winter White Chocolate.. white choc ice cream with chunks of choc covered cherries. AND since the weather here now is 120+degrees F , ice cream is a regular treat!

Sue, <BR> <BR>The next time you are in NC head over to Maple View Farms outside of Chapel Hill on Dairyland Rd. It's probably the best place to have ice cream in the USA. The ice cream is made at the farm and you can sit in a rocking chair or at a picnic table outside and enjoy the day. I love watching the sunset there while enjoying a treat. <BR> <BR>Mmmmmm. . . ice cream. <BR> <BR>The best ice cream I've ever had was at Tillimook. I ordered a scoop of wild mountain (something)berry that's not available on the east coast. <BR> <BR>Best available at the grocery store is Edy's Girl Scout Thim Mint when available or Moosetracks. <BR> <BR>Dan, I've seen apple pie ice cream at Kroger's at Southpoint shopping center.

One of my favorite topics! My first taste of really spectacular ice cream was at Steve's in Cambridge in the late 70's. My first taste was an experience. Since then I haven't had any to compare, except the Juice Bar in Nantucket which has gone downhill in recent years, until I went to the Island Creamery in Chincoteaque. There's a reason the line went out the door and down the street. Yummy. <BR>From the freezer I still say Haagen Daz chocolate and vanilla can't be beat. It's the only kind I buy. IMO, beats Ben and Jerry's hands down.

The Louvre, Paris, France. YUM!