Photo: ashley serra
Not that you ever need an excuse to indulge in a scoop or two, but the third Sunday in July (tomorrow) is National Ice Cream Day in the U.S. Here are some of the country’s top spots for a fix.
Graeter’s – Cincinnati, OH
Since 1870, Graeter’s has churned out ice cream the old-fashioned way using a spinning French pot. Its signature chip flavors, like black raspberry chip and peanut butter chip, are specked with its infamous mammoth chocolate chips.
Toscanini’s – Cambridge, MA
Toscanini’s was declared “Best Ice Cream in the World” by the New York Times and has won over a diverse array of fans, including Yo-Yo Ma and the Dalai Lama.
Those who enjoy sampling inventive flavors will appreciate its extensive selection, which features offerings such as pepper bourbon, black bottom, cardamom pistachio, and saffron.
Photo: ashley serra
Bi-Rite Creamery – San Francisco, CA
The San Francisco Bay Area has no shortage of ice cream shops utilizing organic local ingredients.
Bi-Rite Creamery specializes in whipping up batches of unique flavors with dairy from the nearby Strauss Family Creamery.
Even the mix-ins are made in-house to ensure high quality.
McConnell’s Ice Cream – Santa Barbara, CA
Gordon F. McConnell came up with his ice cream recipes and production techniques while recovering from World War II injuries. After 60 years, the family-run parlor continues to make rich, dense ice cream from the finest ingredients, including cream from local dairies.
Sibby’s Organic Zone Ice Cream Parlor – Viroqua, WI
This list wouldn’t be complete without an entry from “America’s Dairyland.” All ice creams and waffle cones from Sibby’s Organic Zone Ice Cream Parlor are hand-crafted in owner Sue Sebion’s red barn using only organic local ingredients (aside from the vanilla).
Sebion refers to the dessert as “the official planet peace food” because of its ability to overwhelm you with positive memories.
Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory – Brooklyn, NY
When New Yorkers are willing to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and stand line at a shop that sells only six flavors, you know it’s got to be good.
Fans of the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory think so, as its ice cream is made from the “finest, purest, natural ingredients,” and the view of Manhattan from its waterfront location adds a nice touch.
Photo: scaredy_kat
Capogiro Gelato – Philadelphia, PA
Who needs the cheesesteak? Capogiro Gelato brings Italian-style ice cream to the City of Brotherly Love, following tradition by making small, fresh batches of gelato each morning using ingredients from Pennsylvania farms.
In addition to old favorites like stracciatella and pistachio, Capogiro serves up innovative flavors that change daily, such as lemon opal basil and green mango with chili.
Margie’s Candies – Chicago, IL
Don’t be fooled by the name. This old-fashioned candy store/ice cream parlor with two locations is widely regarded for its homemade ice creams as well as its confectioneries.
Offering more than 50 varieties of sundaes, banana splits, ice cream sodas, and milkshakes, Margie’s has been a Chicago landmark since it opened in the 1920s, over the years attracting the likes of Al Capone and the Beatles.
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What’s your favorite ice cream, and where do you go for a scoop? Get in the spirit of National Ice Cream Day by telling us in the comments!
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20 Comments... join the discussion!
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No kidding! I can’t really see him going for the pepper bourbon, but…
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I’m happy to see Bi-Rite on here. I don’t even have a sweet tooth but I’ll still pop in whenever I’m nearby (as long as it doesn’t have the ridiculously long line around the corner which it almost always does on a late afternoon on weekends!).
That Capogiro gelato does look tempting.↵ -
I’m pleased to see the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory on here as I’ve been planning to go for quite some time. Now I’m even more excited to take that trek across the bridge!!
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My very favorite place? Home. I LOVE to make ice cream! But second, for sure, is the Van Leeuwen artisanal ice cream truck in NYC! Thanks for this list… going to go eat some of my mom’s peach ice cream right now!
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Try Lik’s in Denver,Co
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Oh man…I might have to celebrate this despite being out of the U.S…
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In Austin it’s Amy’s — yummy ice cream, fun service, community spirit — another Austin original. (No affiliation, etc., just a fan!)
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I love Amy’s! Well, I know it through the San Antonio branch, but yeah–Amy’s definitely deserves an honorable mention here. Enjoy a scoop (hopefully tossed 5 feet in the air first) for me tomorrow.
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Amys for sure!!! Awesome atmosphere, amazing flavors.
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Graeter’s black rasberry chocolate chip is just about the most divine experience you can find in Cincinnati, Ohio. Just thinking about it brings back the smell of those ice cream shops and the thrill of finding a chocolate chip in my cone, and then digging, and digging, and digging, to see how big it was. They really are these huge hunks of glorious dark chocolate.
Another great place for those of you who randomly end up in Ohio is Jeni’s ice cream in Columbus. It’s all organic, seasonal ingredients, and the flavors ROCK. There’s spicy thai chili, sweet basil, salty caramel, triple berry with wine, dark chocolate truffle….oh, yum.
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You haven’t had ice cream till you had Molly Moons in Seattle, it will change your life.
speaking of Gelato…i have never come across any gelato place in the states that holds a candle to Italy (more specifically in Menaggio on Lago Di Como)…
has anybody found gelato in the states???↵ -
I’ll testify to the gelato in Italy (obviously) – the best I had was in Mantova and San Gimingano.
However, considering this is to celebrate National Ice Cream day in the US, I’m willing to concede there are some damn good places to get the cold stuff in America too!
I’m very interested in the green mango and chili one…
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@Marissa: Yea Bi-rite! I always try to stop by whenever I’m in the Mission. It was hard for me to choose between that and Ici in Berkeley. When they have it, the rose ice cream is unbeatable!
@Liv: I’m looking forward to trekking over to the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory next month!
@Julie: Homemade peach ice cream sounds delicious! And thanks for the tip on Van Lewuwen, I’ll make sure to check it out when I’m in NY!
@Eurobubba, @Hal: I tried Amy’s in Houston earlier this year, it was great!
@Sarah: Your descriptions of Graeter’s black raspberry chocolate chip made me want to get on a plane to Cincinnati!
@Carlo: The former Milano Gelato in Berkeley was good, and even the Italian students from Berkeley liked it. It’s since changed owners, but still decent (but I don’t think it’s as good as before).
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I guess only coasters get on this site
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What’s a coaster?
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@Sarah: Thanks for the kind words. The latest flavor Jeni dreamed up is perhaps her best yet: Cucumber Honeydew with Cayenne — sooooo good. And the seasonal Sweet Corn with Black Raspberry tastes just like summer…
Couple things: we ship all over the US, so you don’t have to be in Columbus to get a scoop; and you can now pick up pints at Foragers in Brooklyn and Joppa in Newburyport (MA) — plus a bunch of fine restaurants that serve up the good stuff.
Cheers.
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Also be sure to check out Denise’s Ice Cream while in columbus ohio.
(In the clinotville area on High street).Similar to Jeni’s in that there are lots of cool flavours, sweet corn, Guinness, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Mint Hot Chocolate, Killer Chocolate, and White Coffee.
The scales tip back and forth for me between Denise’s and Jeni’s. Jeni’s flavours tend to
be slightly more exotic, but Denise’s menu is a bout three times Jeni’s and has some
more pedestrian flavours that may be more appealing to the less adventurous ice cream lover.Both of them make Greater’s look like grocery store brand ice cream. If you’re ever in columbus you need to check them both out.
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I’m so glad Graeters ended up on this list. I’m from near Cincy, but go to school elsewhere and every I go home Graeters is an essential stop. There is nothing like it.
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The Cow- in Reisterstown, Maryland. Homemade creamy frozen custard which comes in vanilla, chocolate, or twist, to be paired with one (or two!) of the 70 some flavors of italian ice make the perfect gelati! You can sample any flavor- but I recommend the peanut butter ice with the chocolate custard. If you are ever in the greater Baltimore area- its definently worth a stop!
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