Ice cream is the solution to all of life’s problems
November 25, 2014 4:07 PM Subscribe
San Francisco Ice Cream Wars: What Your Allegiance Says About You from KQED Pop.
Meanwhile, Fenton's Ice Creamery, which is in the Piedmont neighborhood of Oakland, California, and was featured in Pixar's animated movie, Up, doesn't get mentioned, since it's outside the scope of the article. However, Fenton's does appear on The History Channel (warning: autoplaying video; also, their famous "Black-and-Tan" sundae at the very end).
Berkeley cannot be left out. Here are several ice cream options in Berkeley and the surrounding areas, from 510 families blog.
Previously: We all scream
Meanwhile, Fenton's Ice Creamery, which is in the Piedmont neighborhood of Oakland, California, and was featured in Pixar's animated movie, Up, doesn't get mentioned, since it's outside the scope of the article. However, Fenton's does appear on The History Channel (warning: autoplaying video; also, their famous "Black-and-Tan" sundae at the very end).
Berkeley cannot be left out. Here are several ice cream options in Berkeley and the surrounding areas, from 510 families blog.
Previously: We all scream
The only good flavor I've had at Humphrey Slocomb is vanilla. That place is a mess.
Mitchell's has exotic flavors that actually make for good ice cream, and it's dense and creamy and the servings are enormous and the wait is never that long and there is no night cold and dreary enough that Mitchell's sounds like a bad idea.
Bi-rite is so completely and utterly generic and that line is a joke that is being played on everyone at Dolores Park.
Never had Stenson's. Never even heard of it. Who?
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 4:14 PM on November 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
Mitchell's has exotic flavors that actually make for good ice cream, and it's dense and creamy and the servings are enormous and the wait is never that long and there is no night cold and dreary enough that Mitchell's sounds like a bad idea.
Bi-rite is so completely and utterly generic and that line is a joke that is being played on everyone at Dolores Park.
Never had Stenson's. Never even heard of it. Who?
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 4:14 PM on November 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
Oh, and no mention of Polly Ann's in the Sunset? Not good by any standard but I don't know where else you're gonna get durian-flavored ice cream.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 4:16 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 4:16 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Does not mention the best of the schmancy new style places: Smitten, where they freeze the ingredients in front of you with the magic of liquid nitrogen. Probably the ice-cream for pure taste in the bunch, but of course you have to deal with crazy long lines and eat it right there, there's no taking home a pint.
And while it does list the northeastern trad option (Swensen's) and the southeastern trad option (Mitchell's) it failes to include the western trad option Pollyann's. Their ice cream is not quite as nice as the other options listed, it is still pretty good, and their claim to fame is the giant "Wheel of Fortune" approach to flavor picking.
posted by feckless at 4:18 PM on November 25, 2014 [6 favorites]
And while it does list the northeastern trad option (Swensen's) and the southeastern trad option (Mitchell's) it failes to include the western trad option Pollyann's. Their ice cream is not quite as nice as the other options listed, it is still pretty good, and their claim to fame is the giant "Wheel of Fortune" approach to flavor picking.
posted by feckless at 4:18 PM on November 25, 2014 [6 favorites]
Ctrl-F "It's It" - no hits.
Bet this guy didn't grow up around here.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 4:18 PM on November 25, 2014 [22 favorites]
Bet this guy didn't grow up around here.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 4:18 PM on November 25, 2014 [22 favorites]
Polly Ann's gets two shoutouts in the first four comments! MeFi, you have not disappointed me.
I do like Mitchell's--it's objectively better than Polly Ann's and has those Asian flavors I love (lychee, avocado). I've lived within a few blocks of each, but I had a lot more time to wander around and eat ice cream when I was by Polly Ann's. I also enjoy a Secret Breakfast from Humphry Slocombe from time to time. Still haven't been to Bi-Rite, probably will never bother.
posted by sunset in snow country at 4:29 PM on November 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
I do like Mitchell's--it's objectively better than Polly Ann's and has those Asian flavors I love (lychee, avocado). I've lived within a few blocks of each, but I had a lot more time to wander around and eat ice cream when I was by Polly Ann's. I also enjoy a Secret Breakfast from Humphry Slocombe from time to time. Still haven't been to Bi-Rite, probably will never bother.
posted by sunset in snow country at 4:29 PM on November 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
Smitten's is amazing. They just opened one near me, thankfully.
And nearby in Walnut Creek there are like 10 specialty ice cream places in a square mile.
posted by bashos_frog at 4:30 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
And nearby in Walnut Creek there are like 10 specialty ice cream places in a square mile.
posted by bashos_frog at 4:30 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Never heard of Swenson's? OMG, their Swiss Orange Chip is the Platonic ideal of ice cream.
I also want to put in a plug for Polly Ann's, both for their spinning wheel (for those occasions when you can't decide) and for their *free* doggie cones.
posted by jasper411 at 4:34 PM on November 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
I also want to put in a plug for Polly Ann's, both for their spinning wheel (for those occasions when you can't decide) and for their *free* doggie cones.
posted by jasper411 at 4:34 PM on November 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
Came here to post what Joey Buttafoucault said.
posted by entropicamericana at 4:36 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by entropicamericana at 4:36 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
All of this waiting in line for ice cream seems at odds with my typical ice cream goal of sitting on the sofa in my pajamas and eating it out of a mug.
posted by JauntyFedora at 4:39 PM on November 25, 2014 [6 favorites]
posted by JauntyFedora at 4:39 PM on November 25, 2014 [6 favorites]
Nobody for Marianne's? Really?
I know it's technically Santa Cruz but you can pick it up at the Mollie Stone's on Portola.
Or if you're like me and live in South Bay you just drive down the 17 when you feel like a snack at the beach.
posted by Talez at 4:42 PM on November 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
I know it's technically Santa Cruz but you can pick it up at the Mollie Stone's on Portola.
Or if you're like me and live in South Bay you just drive down the 17 when you feel like a snack at the beach.
posted by Talez at 4:42 PM on November 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
To me Swensen's is the chain joint that took over my beloved Hamburger Choo-Choo in Huntington, NY, and for that it can never be forgiven.
posted by grumpybear69 at 4:46 PM on November 25, 2014
posted by grumpybear69 at 4:46 PM on November 25, 2014
Fenton’s is a purgatory of ugg boots and children. I've never once walked by and thought to enter.
Oh but you must.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 4:52 PM on November 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
Oh but you must.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 4:52 PM on November 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
RIP Bud's. I'm a Mitchell's enthusiast, mostly because it's on the way between me and Taqueria Can-cun.
There's no need to mention It's It. This is an article about neighborhood ice cream joints. Everyone near San Francisco understands It's It transcends local loyalties.
Also thank FSM that the gelato fad hasn't hit SF. Now that New Yorkers are tired of cupcakes it's all about gelato. We get it, it's a fancy word for fancy ice cream at fancy prices. Sometimes you want ice cream, you know?
posted by Nelson at 4:54 PM on November 25, 2014
There's no need to mention It's It. This is an article about neighborhood ice cream joints. Everyone near San Francisco understands It's It transcends local loyalties.
Also thank FSM that the gelato fad hasn't hit SF. Now that New Yorkers are tired of cupcakes it's all about gelato. We get it, it's a fancy word for fancy ice cream at fancy prices. Sometimes you want ice cream, you know?
posted by Nelson at 4:54 PM on November 25, 2014
Never heard of Swensen's? For the love of God, I grew up in Indianapolis and not only heard of Swensen's but was likely their greatest fan east of the Mississippi mid-1980s. I was a regular customer of their expansion location in the Glendale Shopping Center on the northeast side of Indianapolis that opened in the early 1980s. Those obscene sundaes with the little wafer were life changing. The employees also were more than willing to give helium balloons to teenagers while clearly knew what we were going to do with them. Yet it was also a place I could go with my mom for lunch. So, yeah; Swensen's.
posted by JimInLoganSquare at 4:54 PM on November 25, 2014
posted by JimInLoganSquare at 4:54 PM on November 25, 2014
I love Fenton's for the vibe of the place (although honestly I preferred it before the fire and the remodel), but the ice cream itself is really not that great. Luckily, that's what the hot fudge is for...
And dear god, never under any circumstances should you order actual food there. *shudder*.
posted by asterix at 4:59 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
And dear god, never under any circumstances should you order actual food there. *shudder*.
posted by asterix at 4:59 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Oh, and this:
"The only good flavor I've had at Humphrey Slocomb is vanilla. That place is a mess."
is crazy talk. Secret Breakfast, yo.
posted by asterix at 5:00 PM on November 25, 2014 [8 favorites]
"The only good flavor I've had at Humphrey Slocomb is vanilla. That place is a mess."
is crazy talk. Secret Breakfast, yo.
posted by asterix at 5:00 PM on November 25, 2014 [8 favorites]
Pssh. The best ice cream in SF is Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous in Dogpatch.
posted by prambutan at 5:01 PM on November 25, 2014 [5 favorites]
posted by prambutan at 5:01 PM on November 25, 2014 [5 favorites]
Tara's Organic in the East Bay is also a good option, especially when you don't want to deal with the ridiculous lines at Ici or Smitten. They also have lots of unique flavors that aren't complex concoctions (curry! corn! avocado!).
posted by Bizarro Jerry at 5:02 PM on November 25, 2014
posted by Bizarro Jerry at 5:02 PM on November 25, 2014
Secret Breakfast, yo.
TRUTH
Pssh. The best ice cream in SF is Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous in Dogpatch.
Well, if you don't mind that it's only open for 15 minutes every other Tuesday.
posted by en forme de poire at 5:04 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
TRUTH
Pssh. The best ice cream in SF is Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous in Dogpatch.
Well, if you don't mind that it's only open for 15 minutes every other Tuesday.
posted by en forme de poire at 5:04 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
(On checking, ironically, Tuesday is one of the days it's closed! My joke is ruined.)
posted by en forme de poire at 5:06 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by en forme de poire at 5:06 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
But seriously what's the point of an ice cream place that is never open after dinner?
posted by en forme de poire at 5:07 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by en forme de poire at 5:07 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Nobody for Marianne's? Really?
I'M FOR IT. Always stop there on the way home from the Boardwalk.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 5:15 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'M FOR IT. Always stop there on the way home from the Boardwalk.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 5:15 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
And nearby in Walnut Creek there are like 10 specialty ice cream places in a square mile.
Although that article omits Guanatos, maybe because it's too far outside downtown. (Lucuma! Nassberry!)
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 5:19 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Although that article omits Guanatos, maybe because it's too far outside downtown. (Lucuma! Nassberry!)
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 5:19 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Yes! Why is Mr and Mrs Miscellaneous never open when I want to go there!?
Secret Breakfast is a fine ice cream and just clever enough.
The best way to appreciate the Smitten liquid-nitrogen magic is by getting a flavor with cookies in it. The fact that they don't get soggy is a game-changer.
posted by purpleclover at 5:22 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Secret Breakfast is a fine ice cream and just clever enough.
The best way to appreciate the Smitten liquid-nitrogen magic is by getting a flavor with cookies in it. The fact that they don't get soggy is a game-changer.
posted by purpleclover at 5:22 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Also thank FSM that the gelato fad hasn't hit SF.
So there's this neighborhood called North Beach
posted by prize bull octorok at 5:24 PM on November 25, 2014 [8 favorites]
So there's this neighborhood called North Beach
posted by prize bull octorok at 5:24 PM on November 25, 2014 [8 favorites]
I'm surprised to learn that even though I don't live in San Francisco and never have that I have spent enough accumulated time there to have opinions on this.
To the extent that I fall into any of the categories, I guess I'd identify as Bi-Rite, but mostly because of geography; I've got a friend who lives around the block from it and it's decent (actually fairly good, though not by any means life-changing) ice cream. I'd certainly be happy to have something like it in my neighborhood (but that's not gonna happen.)
Humphry Slocombe on the other hand is awful stuff. Over-reliant on gimmick, unbalance verging on harsh with some flavors, and it's a mystery to me how they manage to attract the line that can be found in front of their Ferry Building location. The idea that it could be one of the four best ice cream offerings in a city like San Francisco is ludicrous. I'd rather have post-Unilever Edy's or Dreyer's (and that's a very, very low bar to get over.)
Also: I, too, was puzzled by the absence of even a hat tip to Its It.
Meanwhile, bookmarking this so I can try some of the more obscure suggestions the next time I'm in the area.
posted by Nerd of the North at 5:28 PM on November 25, 2014
To the extent that I fall into any of the categories, I guess I'd identify as Bi-Rite, but mostly because of geography; I've got a friend who lives around the block from it and it's decent (actually fairly good, though not by any means life-changing) ice cream. I'd certainly be happy to have something like it in my neighborhood (but that's not gonna happen.)
Humphry Slocombe on the other hand is awful stuff. Over-reliant on gimmick, unbalance verging on harsh with some flavors, and it's a mystery to me how they manage to attract the line that can be found in front of their Ferry Building location. The idea that it could be one of the four best ice cream offerings in a city like San Francisco is ludicrous. I'd rather have post-Unilever Edy's or Dreyer's (and that's a very, very low bar to get over.)
Also: I, too, was puzzled by the absence of even a hat tip to Its It.
Meanwhile, bookmarking this so I can try some of the more obscure suggestions the next time I'm in the area.
posted by Nerd of the North at 5:28 PM on November 25, 2014
They're talking about scoopable ice cream, so the absence of the hallowed Its-It is appropriate.
But what, no love for Xanath?
posted by Lexica at 5:45 PM on November 25, 2014 [4 favorites]
But what, no love for Xanath?
posted by Lexica at 5:45 PM on November 25, 2014 [4 favorites]
Living south of Orange County -- an ice cream desert because (dear god why why why) people around here are obsessed with fake-flavored self-serve nonfat frozen yogurt -- the best I can get is a Rita's frozen custard franchise near my house.
I went to SF two years ago, and you betcha I went to Bi-Rite. And I loooooved it.
You people sneering at and poo-pooing your abundance of handcrafted ice cream options, I don't. I. I. I --
Frozen nonfat yogurt.
That's all I have to say.
posted by offalark at 5:49 PM on November 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
I went to SF two years ago, and you betcha I went to Bi-Rite. And I loooooved it.
You people sneering at and poo-pooing your abundance of handcrafted ice cream options, I don't. I. I. I --
Frozen nonfat yogurt.
That's all I have to say.
posted by offalark at 5:49 PM on November 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
I remember when Fenton's fired all the old servers because they were union -- boo!
There's a Fenton's in Vacaville now.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 5:55 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
There's a Fenton's in Vacaville now.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 5:55 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
and here's the story behind the fire.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 5:58 PM on November 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 5:58 PM on November 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
Not listed: Polly Ann, which features a giant wheel that you can spin to choose when you can't decide on any one of their fifty flavors. (Thankfully, they keep Durian off the wheel.)
posted by eschatfische at 6:02 PM on November 25, 2014
posted by eschatfische at 6:02 PM on November 25, 2014
I'd like to apologize to the good people of this thread for my earlier comments. Secret Breakfast at H.S. is in fact a super delicious fantastic flavor.
Everything else there is still garbage though.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 6:11 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Everything else there is still garbage though.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 6:11 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
I got a new (to me) car today for the first time in 15 (!) years and then I come home to NOT ONE BUT TWO Mefi posts about ice cream so this is pretty much the best day ever.
(now just trying to think of a way to start a Minneapolis Ice Cream War)
posted by triggerfinger at 6:13 PM on November 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
(now just trying to think of a way to start a Minneapolis Ice Cream War)
posted by triggerfinger at 6:13 PM on November 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
offalark: are you south of OC or in South OC? Because if you're in OC, I've got a nice list of great ice cream places for you, but they're mostly in mid and north county.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 6:23 PM on November 25, 2014
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 6:23 PM on November 25, 2014
I used to live around the corner from Fenton's, and.....I just never got the appeal. It's always way over-crowded, and the ice cream seemed like typical ice cream: good, but nothing amazing.
However, maybe I'm just an ice cream traitor, because where I previously lived, the Pioneer Valley of MA, I also hated the lauded Herrell's, which was supposed to be the 'bestest ice cream on earth evar', and to me it was oddly gooey and gross.
posted by missmary6 at 6:26 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
However, maybe I'm just an ice cream traitor, because where I previously lived, the Pioneer Valley of MA, I also hated the lauded Herrell's, which was supposed to be the 'bestest ice cream on earth evar', and to me it was oddly gooey and gross.
posted by missmary6 at 6:26 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Fenton's is not great ice cream but the portions make it worth it! The food is truly terrible: I once watched them empty a bag of Kraft Mac and Cheese into a dish, microwave it, and then charge me $7 for it. I do have a friend who swears by their liverwurst sandwich but come on, anyone can slap some liverwurst on white bread.
The best thing about Fenton's is that they paid someone to burn the place down, collected the insurance money, and came back stronger than ever, scoring that spot in Up and the new Vacaville location. Now that is a true Oakland success story.
Meanwhile, I adore the fancy ice cream as much as any twee Bay Area Caucasian (my personal favorite is Tara's - sweet corn ice cream in the house!) but to lay them side by side with Fenton's is just wrong. Or maybe it's right: the proliferation of fancy ice cream places is as good a marker as any of the massive cultural and economic shift that is happening right now, actively displacing vast swaths of long-time residents, generally people of color and poor people. And the Fenton's owner was an early vanguardist in the yuppie movement, breaking the Fenton's union and generally serving the interests of gentrifying rich people.
On preview, potsmokinghippieoverloard beat me to it, but I can't delete my rant now that I've invested this much energy.
posted by latkes at 6:28 PM on November 25, 2014 [6 favorites]
The best thing about Fenton's is that they paid someone to burn the place down, collected the insurance money, and came back stronger than ever, scoring that spot in Up and the new Vacaville location. Now that is a true Oakland success story.
Meanwhile, I adore the fancy ice cream as much as any twee Bay Area Caucasian (my personal favorite is Tara's - sweet corn ice cream in the house!) but to lay them side by side with Fenton's is just wrong. Or maybe it's right: the proliferation of fancy ice cream places is as good a marker as any of the massive cultural and economic shift that is happening right now, actively displacing vast swaths of long-time residents, generally people of color and poor people. And the Fenton's owner was an early vanguardist in the yuppie movement, breaking the Fenton's union and generally serving the interests of gentrifying rich people.
On preview, potsmokinghippieoverloard beat me to it, but I can't delete my rant now that I've invested this much energy.
posted by latkes at 6:28 PM on November 25, 2014 [6 favorites]
Yes! Rant away! Your post is the TL;dr of my link!
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 6:30 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 6:30 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
latkes: pithy
psho: blah blah blah
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 6:33 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
psho: blah blah blah
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 6:33 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Quite the opposite! And I wonder how much of this thread we can take up!
posted by latkes at 6:34 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by latkes at 6:34 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
I live about 6 blocks from the original Swensen's location. I have to avoid dairy so I rarely stop by, but a few times a year I give in to my desperate cravings that can only be satisfied by pink peppermint ice cream, which has gone out of fashion on this bitch of an earth but thankfully can still be found at Swensen's for $6.25 a pint.
posted by janey47 at 6:36 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by janey47 at 6:36 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
I love Humphry Slocombe, and I think what this says most about me is that it is close to my house. I do love their Secret Breakfast and their coffee ice cream; my favorite Bay Area ice cream remains Mitchell's Mexican chocolate.
posted by rtha at 6:37 PM on November 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by rtha at 6:37 PM on November 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
I'm surprised to learn that even though I don't live in San Francisco and never have that I have spent enough accumulated time there to have opinions on this.
I just moved here and am so excited there's yet another food-related topic for people to self-righteously argue about. So excited.
posted by psoas at 7:10 PM on November 25, 2014 [7 favorites]
I just moved here and am so excited there's yet another food-related topic for people to self-righteously argue about. So excited.
posted by psoas at 7:10 PM on November 25, 2014 [7 favorites]
Seconding Xanath, especially if you're a fan of vanilla. It's run by the same people who run the vanilla bean and saffron import company across the street and they'll have like three different vanilla ice creams at a time, though their Saffron Ginger is my favorite.
Honestly, I have favorite flavors at all of the places in the article. It's a great time to be an ice cream fan in SF.
posted by cali at 7:20 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Honestly, I have favorite flavors at all of the places in the article. It's a great time to be an ice cream fan in SF.
posted by cali at 7:20 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
I'm really disappointed by this article. No Xanath, no Smitten, that alone sinks it.
I like to take visitors to the city on an ice cream hike: Smitten -> Birite -> Xanath -> Humphry Slocombe -> Mitchells.
Mitchell's clearly has the best ice cream, Smitten is the best show, but Humphy Slocombe has the most interesting flavors. In my opinion, Birite is popular mainly because they're next to Dolores Park, and Xanath, I don't know. It's good, but you really have to love your vanilla.
Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous is a bit too far out of the way for me, and as others have said, they're never open when you're there.
posted by dlg at 7:31 PM on November 25, 2014
I like to take visitors to the city on an ice cream hike: Smitten -> Birite -> Xanath -> Humphry Slocombe -> Mitchells.
Mitchell's clearly has the best ice cream, Smitten is the best show, but Humphy Slocombe has the most interesting flavors. In my opinion, Birite is popular mainly because they're next to Dolores Park, and Xanath, I don't know. It's good, but you really have to love your vanilla.
Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous is a bit too far out of the way for me, and as others have said, they're never open when you're there.
posted by dlg at 7:31 PM on November 25, 2014
COLDSTONE CREAMERY!
I don't mention it because it's good. I mention it because the only one I've been to is at Northstar at Lake Tahoe and it's an excuse to reveal the nearby Dick Fountain
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 7:39 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
I don't mention it because it's good. I mention it because the only one I've been to is at Northstar at Lake Tahoe and it's an excuse to reveal the nearby Dick Fountain
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 7:39 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Dick Fountain: Exactly as described.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 7:48 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 7:48 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Ice Cream Walk of the Damned (pre-Smitten, but mentions La Copa Loca and Xanath).
posted by benzenedream at 7:56 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by benzenedream at 7:56 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
My experience with Fentons really isn't jibbing with others' - for instance, they used to make a crab-meat sandwich that was killer. Also, the ice cream *is* spectacular and if you turn your nose up at a Black and Tan you are definitely not on my Christmas list!
However I have not had the crab meat sandwich there in a while because I usually just do the BnT thing, which is more than I can handle, really.
TL;dr: Your favorite ice cream parlor sucks.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 7:59 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
However I have not had the crab meat sandwich there in a while because I usually just do the BnT thing, which is more than I can handle, really.
TL;dr: Your favorite ice cream parlor sucks.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 7:59 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Well goddamn I don't really eat ice cream but how have I never heard that story about Fenton's? Just when I thought nothing could top the Your Black Muslim Bakery thing. I love you Oakland.
posted by bradbane at 8:13 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by bradbane at 8:13 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
John's Dollar Scoop in Berkeley!!
(JK... I like Tara's)
posted by extramundane at 8:29 PM on November 25, 2014
(JK... I like Tara's)
posted by extramundane at 8:29 PM on November 25, 2014
Ctrl-F Joe's
Phrase not found
DAFUQ?!!?
Go to Joe's! 19th and Geary! Get the Butterscotch Marble! YUM!
posted by Trinity-Gehenna at 8:47 PM on November 25, 2014
Phrase not found
DAFUQ?!!?
Go to Joe's! 19th and Geary! Get the Butterscotch Marble! YUM!
posted by Trinity-Gehenna at 8:47 PM on November 25, 2014
McConnell's Swiss Chocolate is one of my favorites.
Steve Herrell has made a comeback selling pints in upscale grocers.
posted by brujita at 8:55 PM on November 25, 2014
Steve Herrell has made a comeback selling pints in upscale grocers.
posted by brujita at 8:55 PM on November 25, 2014
I just moved here and am so excited there's yet another food-related topic for people to self-righteously argue about. So excited.
A while back I was hanging out with some friends, who are basically the burpiest, fartiest, video-game-playingest group of macho man-children you can possibly imagine, and who had all gathered to hang out with a friend who was back in town after moving away for med school. I don't remember how we got on the topic, but at one point everyone starts arguing passionately about burgers, and the manliest man of them all is holding forth on how lamb burgers with arugula are THE best and you MUST try them, and the guy who had moved just looks at me and says "God, I miss San Francisco."
Also, how the fuck have I not only not heard of Joe's, but (judging from the picture on the website) never even seen it? It's practically across the street from my old local, which maybe explains it. Butterscotch Marble here I come.
posted by sunset in snow country at 9:11 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
A while back I was hanging out with some friends, who are basically the burpiest, fartiest, video-game-playingest group of macho man-children you can possibly imagine, and who had all gathered to hang out with a friend who was back in town after moving away for med school. I don't remember how we got on the topic, but at one point everyone starts arguing passionately about burgers, and the manliest man of them all is holding forth on how lamb burgers with arugula are THE best and you MUST try them, and the guy who had moved just looks at me and says "God, I miss San Francisco."
Also, how the fuck have I not only not heard of Joe's, but (judging from the picture on the website) never even seen it? It's practically across the street from my old local, which maybe explains it. Butterscotch Marble here I come.
posted by sunset in snow country at 9:11 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
The secret to Bi-Rite for me is to skip the crazy line for the counter and hit the soft serve window. If there is a line it will be pretty short, and they only have two flavors which are always coordinated so you get a swirl and it is fabulous.
Otherwise my current fave is Smitten, and after that Mitchell's.
Had not heard of Xanath before now, and I love vanilla, so I will be trying that next time I am up in the city!
posted by inparticularity at 9:14 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Otherwise my current fave is Smitten, and after that Mitchell's.
Had not heard of Xanath before now, and I love vanilla, so I will be trying that next time I am up in the city!
posted by inparticularity at 9:14 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Nth'ing Xanath, cheaper and better, without the heinous line that bi-rite has.
Plus: Huckleberry ice cream.
posted by lkc at 9:18 PM on November 25, 2014
Plus: Huckleberry ice cream.
posted by lkc at 9:18 PM on November 25, 2014
BuddhaInABucket: I live in North San Diego county. To my knowledge, there is no good ice cream here. Just endless strip malls full of Yogurtlands, as far as the eye can see....
I was in Costa Mesa a month or so ago and did stop by Han's Homemade. They had orange chocolate chip. It's no honey lavender, but it was still good enough to make me want to move to Costa Mesa.
I work in Irvine, and we used to live in San Juan Cap. There was nothing south of Mission Viejo that I would call original and delicious ice cream. I don't consider Coldstone or Baskin Robbins to be contenders; their ice cream tastes fake. Strickland's frozen custard in Irvine is well loved by my husband and I. And the chocolate sundae at Nick's in San Clemente. Oh, and Front Porch Pops -- not ice cream, still awesome.
What I'm trying to say is: it's not a coincidence that two years ago we were at a Bi-Rite on my birthday 400 miles from home.
posted by offalark at 9:50 PM on November 25, 2014
I was in Costa Mesa a month or so ago and did stop by Han's Homemade. They had orange chocolate chip. It's no honey lavender, but it was still good enough to make me want to move to Costa Mesa.
I work in Irvine, and we used to live in San Juan Cap. There was nothing south of Mission Viejo that I would call original and delicious ice cream. I don't consider Coldstone or Baskin Robbins to be contenders; their ice cream tastes fake. Strickland's frozen custard in Irvine is well loved by my husband and I. And the chocolate sundae at Nick's in San Clemente. Oh, and Front Porch Pops -- not ice cream, still awesome.
What I'm trying to say is: it's not a coincidence that two years ago we were at a Bi-Rite on my birthday 400 miles from home.
posted by offalark at 9:50 PM on November 25, 2014
Did I say Northstar? I meant Heavenly! ATTENTION: DICK FOUNTAIN IS AT HEAVENLY LAKE TAHOE NEAR THE GONDALA
(In case anyone goes in search for it. It's near that pizza place with all the bros in it.)
The ice cream sundaes at Fenton's are as big as your head.
The Cream ice cream place in Walnut Creek (and other places) has yummy snickerdoodles. So there you have a couple of scoops of ice cream, some sauce (chocolate for me) on top of a snickerdoodle. Yum.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 9:55 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
(In case anyone goes in search for it. It's near that pizza place with all the bros in it.)
The ice cream sundaes at Fenton's are as big as your head.
The Cream ice cream place in Walnut Creek (and other places) has yummy snickerdoodles. So there you have a couple of scoops of ice cream, some sauce (chocolate for me) on top of a snickerdoodle. Yum.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 9:55 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Just not understanding the hate for Humphrey Slocombe.
They made me fall in love with ice cream again (or at least strike up a friendly conversation with it). Usually I find ice cream too sickly-sweet and I feel like there's nothing new to discover in terms of the good flavors. Humphrey Slocombe is also a bit sweet for my taste, but the flavors of theirs I like tend to like balance ice cream's inherent sweetness with something salty, spicy, or even savory. I'd never encountered that in ice cream before, and I think it often works beautifully.
I would take their salt & pepper or smoked sea salt chocolate over just about any other ice cream I've ever had. Maybe it's ice cream for people who don't generally like ice cream, I dunno, but it's the first ice cream that's honestly delighted me since I was a kid.
posted by treepour at 10:00 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
They made me fall in love with ice cream again (or at least strike up a friendly conversation with it). Usually I find ice cream too sickly-sweet and I feel like there's nothing new to discover in terms of the good flavors. Humphrey Slocombe is also a bit sweet for my taste, but the flavors of theirs I like tend to like balance ice cream's inherent sweetness with something salty, spicy, or even savory. I'd never encountered that in ice cream before, and I think it often works beautifully.
I would take their salt & pepper or smoked sea salt chocolate over just about any other ice cream I've ever had. Maybe it's ice cream for people who don't generally like ice cream, I dunno, but it's the first ice cream that's honestly delighted me since I was a kid.
posted by treepour at 10:00 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
As a more-geographically-adventurous-than-most Berkeley student, I was always upset that my friends didn't want to make the trek out to College and Ashby for Ici. I had a saffron-almond scoop there that was positively divine. Bi-Rite and Humphrey Slocombe are both great but I had Ici first and therefore it wins in my heart.
But if I must have an opinion about ice cream from the foggy side of the Bay, here it is: go find yourself a Blue Bottle location that has Humphrey Slocombe's Secret Breakfast on hand for the affogato. Combine with a liege waffle, if you want, though it's not necessary. Enjoy, slowly, on a sunny weekday on your afternoon coffee break and rejoice in the knowledge that, for those 10 minutes, all is right with the world.
posted by spitefulcrow at 10:01 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
But if I must have an opinion about ice cream from the foggy side of the Bay, here it is: go find yourself a Blue Bottle location that has Humphrey Slocombe's Secret Breakfast on hand for the affogato. Combine with a liege waffle, if you want, though it's not necessary. Enjoy, slowly, on a sunny weekday on your afternoon coffee break and rejoice in the knowledge that, for those 10 minutes, all is right with the world.
posted by spitefulcrow at 10:01 PM on November 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Its Its are terrible. Look at the ingredients! They resemble nothing like the old from 25 years ago - it's all corn syrup and fillers. Ignore their "product remains the same as 1928." How can they even say that?! Bleh. Gummy and overly sweet.
EDIT: Okay, the website says no corn syrup. But the ingredients are still gross. Maybe I just liked grosser things when I was a kid. (okay, I did, for sure.) They just don't hold up to modern ice cream, imo.
posted by small_ruminant at 10:53 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
EDIT: Okay, the website says no corn syrup. But the ingredients are still gross. Maybe I just liked grosser things when I was a kid. (okay, I did, for sure.) They just don't hold up to modern ice cream, imo.
posted by small_ruminant at 10:53 PM on November 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Wow, I had NO idea on the crookedness of Fenton's owner. DAMN.
I've been to the (new) Oakland parlor a few times--it's crowded with long lines, but yes, ice cream as big as your head. Mostly I go to the Vacaville one, which has more space, is less crowded (even if they're pretty full you can somehow always get a seat), and I've never had anything bad there, even the regular food.
*boggle*
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:13 PM on November 25, 2014
I've been to the (new) Oakland parlor a few times--it's crowded with long lines, but yes, ice cream as big as your head. Mostly I go to the Vacaville one, which has more space, is less crowded (even if they're pretty full you can somehow always get a seat), and I've never had anything bad there, even the regular food.
*boggle*
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:13 PM on November 25, 2014
Being from the East Bay, somehow I've never gone to any of the places on the list. My mental association was Ghiradelli Square -- 4th of July at Fisherman's Wharf.
Although one time after catching a movie at the film fest, me and my friends went to a tiny ice cream parlor across Fillmore from the Kabuki. Perry's Place or something like that. There was a trio playing fusion-ish jazz in the angled display window, I remember 'Red Clay' in particular. I had blueberry cheesecake ice cream, in a cup.
Of course, that place is gone now.
posted by Standard Orange at 11:49 PM on November 25, 2014
Although one time after catching a movie at the film fest, me and my friends went to a tiny ice cream parlor across Fillmore from the Kabuki. Perry's Place or something like that. There was a trio playing fusion-ish jazz in the angled display window, I remember 'Red Clay' in particular. I had blueberry cheesecake ice cream, in a cup.
Of course, that place is gone now.
posted by Standard Orange at 11:49 PM on November 25, 2014
Anyone remember Farrell's? The Zoo (or the Kitchen Sink) where they'd bang the kettledrum and run around the joint making a lot of noise before they delivered the order to the table?
Referenced in an old "Bob Newhart Show" episode where Bob reluctantly goes to a similar ice cream parlor, sees the folderol over the more elaborate orders, and insists on a single scoop of ice cream.
Whereupon the wait staff (including a young John Ritter!) bring him his order, surround him and chant "Single scooper! Single scooper! This man is a party pooper!"
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 11:56 PM on November 25, 2014
Referenced in an old "Bob Newhart Show" episode where Bob reluctantly goes to a similar ice cream parlor, sees the folderol over the more elaborate orders, and insists on a single scoop of ice cream.
Whereupon the wait staff (including a young John Ritter!) bring him his order, surround him and chant "Single scooper! Single scooper! This man is a party pooper!"
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 11:56 PM on November 25, 2014
Came in for the Polly Ann's and It's It shout outs. Was not disappointed.
The thing about Polly Ann's for me is the nostalgia factor. They have this sort of window ledge, right by their door, and for a 7-10 year old it's the perfect perch to get up on the counter and see the ice cream and The Wheel. I never ever actually used the wheel but it was so fun to watch others go for it and hear the clackity clack as it spun around. The other thing I loved about Polly Ann's was the free cones for dogs. Delightful. There used to be a Korean market right next door (Kuk Je Market (?) that moved to Daly City) where we would go for our weekly shopping and it was a special treat when that trip ended with some ice cream (my fave was green tea).
It's Its hold a different memory for me. My high school had school lunches provided by a cafeteria (where you got your chicken a la kings and tater tots), but during different days of the week there would also be a place right opposite the caf where they would sell pizza and fried chicken from Pizza Hut and KFC, along with It's Its... for dessert I guess. I ate that trash like, twice a week and I was as lean as a greyhound. I would be shocked to hear that was still going on, but while I was living in it, yeah that was pretty awesome.
posted by like_neon at 1:34 AM on November 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
The thing about Polly Ann's for me is the nostalgia factor. They have this sort of window ledge, right by their door, and for a 7-10 year old it's the perfect perch to get up on the counter and see the ice cream and The Wheel. I never ever actually used the wheel but it was so fun to watch others go for it and hear the clackity clack as it spun around. The other thing I loved about Polly Ann's was the free cones for dogs. Delightful. There used to be a Korean market right next door (Kuk Je Market (?) that moved to Daly City) where we would go for our weekly shopping and it was a special treat when that trip ended with some ice cream (my fave was green tea).
It's Its hold a different memory for me. My high school had school lunches provided by a cafeteria (where you got your chicken a la kings and tater tots), but during different days of the week there would also be a place right opposite the caf where they would sell pizza and fried chicken from Pizza Hut and KFC, along with It's Its... for dessert I guess. I ate that trash like, twice a week and I was as lean as a greyhound. I would be shocked to hear that was still going on, but while I was living in it, yeah that was pretty awesome.
posted by like_neon at 1:34 AM on November 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
Anyone remember Farrell's?
Oh god, Farrell's! You just completely knocked me back to another memory. I had a birthday there, I think turning 10. I have these pictures of me and my friends posing behind wooden clowns with holes cut out where we could stick our faces. And I remember their birthday sundaes were absolutely ginormous.
posted by like_neon at 1:36 AM on November 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
Oh god, Farrell's! You just completely knocked me back to another memory. I had a birthday there, I think turning 10. I have these pictures of me and my friends posing behind wooden clowns with holes cut out where we could stick our faces. And I remember their birthday sundaes were absolutely ginormous.
posted by like_neon at 1:36 AM on November 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
Yes, that cool childhood treat is the true issue that keeps people up at night in San Francisco and causes passionate debate into the small hours. In some homes, it may even end marriages.
Its a cute article but San Francisco is definitely not a great ice cream town. Even the best ones (probably Mitchell's) are not up to the standards of most other cities.
posted by vacapinta at 1:55 AM on November 26, 2014
Its a cute article but San Francisco is definitely not a great ice cream town. Even the best ones (probably Mitchell's) are not up to the standards of most other cities.
posted by vacapinta at 1:55 AM on November 26, 2014
You can't just drop that in the thread like a McDonald's cone and leave. Out with it, what are the Serious Ice Cream Cities?
posted by benzenedream at 7:18 AM on November 26, 2014
posted by benzenedream at 7:18 AM on November 26, 2014
As a more-geographically-adventurous-than-most Berkeley student, I was always upset that my friends didn't want to make the trek out to College and Ashby for Ici.
I... what? Ici's half a mile from the Units!
Undergrads confuse me.
posted by asterix at 8:01 AM on November 26, 2014
I... what? Ici's half a mile from the Units!
Undergrads confuse me.
posted by asterix at 8:01 AM on November 26, 2014
I... what? Ici's half a mile from the Units!
In my undergrad days at Cal, we sometimes referred to the International Dwight Line (as a boundary demarking How Far Is Far). It's an age full of myopia, yes.
posted by psoas at 8:19 AM on November 26, 2014 [3 favorites]
In my undergrad days at Cal, we sometimes referred to the International Dwight Line (as a boundary demarking How Far Is Far). It's an age full of myopia, yes.
posted by psoas at 8:19 AM on November 26, 2014 [3 favorites]
If you're anywhere near the Fruitvale BART station, definitely check out Nieves Cinco de Mayo. (Ooh, might have to try the tejuino the next time I'm near there…)
posted by Lexica at 8:42 AM on November 26, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Lexica at 8:42 AM on November 26, 2014 [2 favorites]
LA had Farrells too.
posted by brujita at 9:27 AM on November 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by brujita at 9:27 AM on November 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
OMG Farrell's! PSHO, you're freaking me out here. When I was in high school (circa 1975-78), the whole theatre crowd went to Farrell's ironically.
How about Betsy Ross? They had a kind of blue-ish ice cream that I remember loving with my whole heart but I can remember neither the name nor the taste.
posted by janey47 at 9:43 AM on November 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
How about Betsy Ross? They had a kind of blue-ish ice cream that I remember loving with my whole heart but I can remember neither the name nor the taste.
posted by janey47 at 9:43 AM on November 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'm rather partial to my neighborhood joint, The Ice Cream Bar, because: adult fountain drinks. I give you The Dublin Honey: Guinness stout, caramelized honey ice cream, Valrhona chocolate syrup, a float of Graham’s 10 year tawny port. It really is that good.
posted by hapax_legomenon at 2:30 PM on November 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by hapax_legomenon at 2:30 PM on November 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
Also, how the fuck have I not only not heard of Joe's... It's practically across the street from my old local...
Sure it's not your old local? They used to be practically across the street, right on the corner of 18th.
posted by Trinity-Gehenna at 5:26 PM on November 26, 2014
Sure it's not your old local? They used to be practically across the street, right on the corner of 18th.
posted by Trinity-Gehenna at 5:26 PM on November 26, 2014
Can't get behind the Boston boosting, sorry. It's a great place for hot chocolate though.
posted by en forme de poire at 7:56 PM on November 26, 2014
posted by en forme de poire at 7:56 PM on November 26, 2014
Man, all you fuckers are lucky. The artisanal ice cream fad hit seattle along with the cupcake/dessert/pie wave.
Almost every place is completely fucking forgettable and mediocre, even the line down the black "famous" places like molly moons. Overpriced, bland, meh garbage. Some places make pretty good stuff in interesting flavors like full tilt, but most places like blue bird/molly moons/cupcake royale/etc just make mediocre bland crap that they sling for outrageous more-than-a-good-sandwich prices unless you get a kids cone.
I miss Dankens. That shit was actually good. Hell, there were other good places too. They're all dead and gone, and we get this hipster 31 flavors crap.
Everything being described here sounds pretty damn good too. Interesting flavors, at least. All we get here is "omg it's mint ice cream made with girl scout cookies!".
posted by emptythought at 9:08 PM on November 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
Almost every place is completely fucking forgettable and mediocre, even the line down the black "famous" places like molly moons. Overpriced, bland, meh garbage. Some places make pretty good stuff in interesting flavors like full tilt, but most places like blue bird/molly moons/cupcake royale/etc just make mediocre bland crap that they sling for outrageous more-than-a-good-sandwich prices unless you get a kids cone.
I miss Dankens. That shit was actually good. Hell, there were other good places too. They're all dead and gone, and we get this hipster 31 flavors crap.
Everything being described here sounds pretty damn good too. Interesting flavors, at least. All we get here is "omg it's mint ice cream made with girl scout cookies!".
posted by emptythought at 9:08 PM on November 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
The Farrell's I went to in my misspent youth was in Fullerton, CA.
When I was even littler, we used to go to the Big T supermarket and I'd get rainbow sherbet with the voucher I'd get from the dentist for not crying.
Did you catch that? MY DENTIST GAVE COUPONS FOR FREE ICE CREAM TO KIDS.
It was a simpler time.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 1:34 PM on November 27, 2014
When I was even littler, we used to go to the Big T supermarket and I'd get rainbow sherbet with the voucher I'd get from the dentist for not crying.
Did you catch that? MY DENTIST GAVE COUPONS FOR FREE ICE CREAM TO KIDS.
It was a simpler time.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 1:34 PM on November 27, 2014
Some people (i.e., San Franciscans reading this thread) might also like to know that The Ice Cream Bar (previously mentioned by moi above) also offers its own take on the legendary It's It ice cream sandwich: coffee stout ice cream on an oatmeal cookie. Pretty darn tasty.
posted by hapax_legomenon at 4:03 PM on December 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by hapax_legomenon at 4:03 PM on December 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
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