- Not the greatest in the world, but in the category of supermarket ice cream, Breyers vanilla tastes and melts a lot like homemade ice cream. The ingredients list is extremely short, always a good sign.
- Another good supermarket ice cream is Safeway Signature Java Chip - I live up in Roseville, a desert for good ice cream and bakeries, and I can't bear to pay for the overpriced boutique brands that are actually owned by conglomerates.
- Growing up in the Thousand Oaks region of Berkeley, McCallums and Ortmans were the go-to spots, but McCallums was better - their "orange ice" would now be called sorbet. No dairy at all and it almost crumbled in the cone. It was bright orange, so almost certainly had food coloring in it
- Fentons sundaes are great, but the ice cream is just OK. Hard to believe the banana specials were around $1.60 when I was at Cal. I remember putting my jacket on halfway through eating one.
- Honestly, the best ice cream is what you make at home!
OT. What are the best Ice Cream places in the Bay Area?
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Last: 5 yr ago by smh
In between the practice presser and the hoops game, went to Arinell for a couple slices of pepperoni and to John's for a double scoop for $3. Good value but not much flavor or texture, especially the cookie dough.
Tillamook -- the Rocky Road and the Oregon Dark Cherry are highly recommended.Big C said:That was "Ici", right there: Idiots in front of me in line: "I'd like to taste the organic cardamom flavor!"dimitrig said:
Love what 510bear wrote re: idiots sampling ice cream and gelato who just slow everything down but other than Fenton's isn't the Bay Area standby Double Rainbow? Neither are gourmet but that's ok!
Also want to say I saw Humphrey Slocombe sold here in LA and it was crazy expensive even by gourmet ice cream standards and the flavors seemed blah.
Not trying to hijack the thread, but I'm SUPER disappointed in the ice cream selection at Safeway and other supermarkets these days: 10+ different BRANDS of ice cream (perhaps 10+++), all offering similar, limited flavor selections. Do we really need Vanilla, French Vanilla, Vanilla Bean, Creamy Vanilla, etc? And who needs the cross-marketing, ice cream with with Oreos, Reese's Pieces, Butterfingers, Cheez-Its, etc?
I YEARN for a good coconut-pineapple and a good peach ice cream (Breyers used to have a good peach, but I don't see it anymore).
Lastly, many will surely disagree, but I've never seen a Ben and Jerry's flavor that appealed to me.
In Santa Cruz, the Penny Ice Creamery is very special.
"Those who say don't know, and those who know don't say." - LT
I tried Ici years ago. Was really intrigued by their flavors. Tried a bunch of samples (no line behind me, okay, guys!) Ice cream was creamy but the flavors were gutless. Never went back. Spent years judging everyone in line whenever I'd drive by.Unit2Sucks said:
I have a bit of a SF bias so I won't speak to the bay area at large but I really like Smitten - the process is like nothing else (they use liquid nitrogen to make individual batches). There is one in berkeley now too.
I like Humphrey Slocombe and Bi-Rite but I won't wait in line so those are pretty much out. Mitchell's is a hidden gem and when I lived closer I used to go more frequently but haven't been in a number of years.
Finally - Ice Cream Bar is a really great little shop with really phenomenal soda drinks (and floats) that is unlike anything I've seen anywhere else.
Smitten has really bright flavors. The fresh mint is very good.
Of course some times you are in the mood for a tiny cup of ice cream for $6 and sometimes you want a hot fudge sundae as big as your head for $10.
OaktownBear said:I tried Ici years ago. Was really intrigued by their flavors. Tried a bunch of samples (no line behind me, okay, guys!) Ice cream was creamy but the flavors were gutless. Never went back. Spent years judging everyone in line whenever I'd drive by.Unit2Sucks said:
I have a bit of a SF bias so I won't speak to the bay area at large but I really like Smitten - the process is like nothing else (they use liquid nitrogen to make individual batches). There is one in berkeley now too.
I like Humphrey Slocombe and Bi-Rite but I won't wait in line so those are pretty much out. Mitchell's is a hidden gem and when I lived closer I used to go more frequently but haven't been in a number of years.
Finally - Ice Cream Bar is a really great little shop with really phenomenal soda drinks (and floats) that is unlike anything I've seen anywhere else.
Smitten has really bright flavors. The fresh mint is very good.
Of course some times you are in the mood for a tiny cup of ice cream for $6 and sometimes you want a hot fudge sundae as big as your head for $10.
This. 100%.
You young'uns. I haven't wanted a hot fudge sundae as big as my head since I was in my 20s...OaktownBear said:I tried Ici years ago. Was really intrigued by their flavors. Tried a bunch of samples (no line behind me, okay, guys!) Ice cream was creamy but the flavors were gutless. Never went back. Spent years judging everyone in line whenever I'd drive by.Unit2Sucks said:
I have a bit of a SF bias so I won't speak to the bay area at large but I really like Smitten - the process is like nothing else (they use liquid nitrogen to make individual batches). There is one in berkeley now too.
I like Humphrey Slocombe and Bi-Rite but I won't wait in line so those are pretty much out. Mitchell's is a hidden gem and when I lived closer I used to go more frequently but haven't been in a number of years.
Finally - Ice Cream Bar is a really great little shop with really phenomenal soda drinks (and floats) that is unlike anything I've seen anywhere else.
Smitten has really bright flavors. The fresh mint is very good.
Of course some times you are in the mood for a tiny cup of ice cream for $6 and sometimes you want a hot fudge sundae as big as your head for $10.
So I have no use for Fenton's. Overpriced and overrated, especially if you're an adult. I go out of my way to let OTHER relatives take my kids there.
I am, however, interested in trying some of the recommendations on this thread.
MoragaBear said:
In between the practice presser and the hoops game, went to Arinell for a couple slices of pepperoni and to John's for a double scoop for $3. Good value but not much flavor or texture, especially the cookie dough.
It has been awhile but, yeah John's can be hit or miss. Definitely worth having sample spoons of several flavors to find one you like. Can't beat the value.
Value effects my enjoyment of the product. A good $1.25 taco truck taco beats any fancy taco. Top Dog is AMAZING but I wouldn't think so if I paid $10 bucks for it. No coffee will be as good as the 80 cent cappuccinos I had in Berkeley as a freshman, or the $1.50 pizza slices in New York when I was in grad school....
Fenton's is in the neighborhood for me. My kids have outgrown it for the most part, but it was not possible to avoid. 2 ways to do Fenton's that bring down the price. 1. Rather than everyone getting a small or medium sundae, get something large and share it. They generally don't care if you substitute, especially on the special, so you can get multiple flavors and make everyone happy. 2. Prepacked half gallons are easily cheaper and better than Ben and Jerry's or anything similar at the supermarket. Even handpacked are a good deal compared to supermarket. (they only have a few flavors pre-packed.Big C said:You young'uns. I haven't wanted a hot fudge sundae as big as my head since I was in my 20s...OaktownBear said:I tried Ici years ago. Was really intrigued by their flavors. Tried a bunch of samples (no line behind me, okay, guys!) Ice cream was creamy but the flavors were gutless. Never went back. Spent years judging everyone in line whenever I'd drive by.Unit2Sucks said:
I have a bit of a SF bias so I won't speak to the bay area at large but I really like Smitten - the process is like nothing else (they use liquid nitrogen to make individual batches). There is one in berkeley now too.
I like Humphrey Slocombe and Bi-Rite but I won't wait in line so those are pretty much out. Mitchell's is a hidden gem and when I lived closer I used to go more frequently but haven't been in a number of years.
Finally - Ice Cream Bar is a really great little shop with really phenomenal soda drinks (and floats) that is unlike anything I've seen anywhere else.
Smitten has really bright flavors. The fresh mint is very good.
Of course some times you are in the mood for a tiny cup of ice cream for $6 and sometimes you want a hot fudge sundae as big as your head for $10.
So I have no use for Fenton's. Overpriced and overrated, especially if you're an adult. I go out of my way to let OTHER relatives take my kids there.
I am, however, interested in trying some of the recommendations on this thread.
Personally, once you've had good gelato at a place that makes it on site, any ice cream is second best.
Farrell's. . . . almond mocha hot fudge sundae !
"Those who say don't know, and those who know don't say." - LT
Strong seconding the rec for Cookie Bar Creamery. They also do the Ice Cream Sandwich thing (a la CREAM) but I'm addicted to their Fruity Pebbles and Macapuno flavors in a waffle cone. A block from Swan's Market in Old Oakland.
Also if you want no frills ice cream, can't really beat Loard's for the price. Still go to the one at Coolidge & MacArthur in the Oakland Dimond/Laurel neighborhood.
Also if you want no frills ice cream, can't really beat Loard's for the price. Still go to the one at Coolidge & MacArthur in the Oakland Dimond/Laurel neighborhood.
Here's an open question: Do you like a lot of stuff (candy, cookie dough, etc) in your ice cream?
Personally, I like straight ice cream with maybe nuts or fresh fruit in it. No Fruit Loops, no preserved plums, no pseudo apple pie chunks, no gum drops, etc
Personally, I like straight ice cream with maybe nuts or fresh fruit in it. No Fruit Loops, no preserved plums, no pseudo apple pie chunks, no gum drops, etc
Tillamook is good quality for the price. The cherry os excellent. I stopped buying hagen dazs as the quality is bad since they were sold. Dont know how they sell anything. First they reduced the pint to 14 oz then the took
Out cream so it now tastes like Big Dip ice milk from the 60's. Ben and Jerrys is far superior and you get a pint.
Out cream so it now tastes like Big Dip ice milk from the 60's. Ben and Jerrys is far superior and you get a pint.
Bring back It’s It’s to Haas Pavillion!
Good question: NO! I hate a bunch of junk in my ice cream! If it's blended in so well that it's all one texture, that's okay (like some cookies n cream). Chocolate chip ice cream can be good, but the chips had better not be too big!HearstMining said:
Here's an open question: Do you like a lot of stuff (candy, cookie dough, etc) in your ice cream?
Personally, I like straight ice cream with maybe nuts or fresh fruit in it. No Fruit Loops, no preserved plums, no pseudo apple pie chunks, no gum drops, etc
Not to denigrate sundaes, pie a la mode or fresh fruit and ice cream... they can all be great. In fact, perfectly in-season cantaloupe and vanilla ice cream is awesome. But for a flavor of ice cream, just the ice cream, please.
That's fine.....that leaves more chunky ice cream for me!Big C said:Good question: NO! I hate a bunch of junk in my ice cream! If it's blended in so well that it's all one texture, that's okay (like some cookies n cream). Chocolate chip ice cream can be good, but the chips had better not be too big!HearstMining said:
Here's an open question: Do you like a lot of stuff (candy, cookie dough, etc) in your ice cream?
Personally, I like straight ice cream with maybe nuts or fresh fruit in it. No Fruit Loops, no preserved plums, no pseudo apple pie chunks, no gum drops, etc
Not to denigrate sundaes, pie a la mode or fresh fruit and ice cream... they can all be great. In fact, perfectly in-season cantaloupe and vanilla ice cream is awesome. But for a flavor of ice cream, just the ice cream, please.
You all are making me feel so old.
The best Rocky Road was the first, scooped at Dreyers on Grand in Oakland.
In San Francisco, Shaw's Frozen strawberry, not really ice cream but memorable.
And on a hot summer night in the San Joaquin Valley. Superior Dairy in Hanford.
Going in was like stepping back in time 50 years. I got a coconut pineapple triple cone,
ten inches of ice cream on a four inch cone I quickly asked for a cup and spent the next hour
eating ice cream, listening to jazz in the courthouse square across the street. The next visit I
had the banana split.
Sometimes the ice cream was just part of the experience; going to SFO in the fifties, having a delicious ice cream sundae while watching the planes land. And when Ghirardelli's opened in the old Chocolate building, amidst the smell of ground and fresh molten chocolate, best place in the world for ice cream.
all these memories are over 35 years old. Ice cream does not seem as special, even if I still have it three, four
times a week. What I really miss are well made fruit pies. After Marie got booted out of Chula vista I have to drive 30 miles for a rhubarb pie, 80 miles for an apricot pie and to Sebastopol for a Gravenstein apple pie, ice cream optional.
The best Rocky Road was the first, scooped at Dreyers on Grand in Oakland.
In San Francisco, Shaw's Frozen strawberry, not really ice cream but memorable.
And on a hot summer night in the San Joaquin Valley. Superior Dairy in Hanford.
Going in was like stepping back in time 50 years. I got a coconut pineapple triple cone,
ten inches of ice cream on a four inch cone I quickly asked for a cup and spent the next hour
eating ice cream, listening to jazz in the courthouse square across the street. The next visit I
had the banana split.
Sometimes the ice cream was just part of the experience; going to SFO in the fifties, having a delicious ice cream sundae while watching the planes land. And when Ghirardelli's opened in the old Chocolate building, amidst the smell of ground and fresh molten chocolate, best place in the world for ice cream.
all these memories are over 35 years old. Ice cream does not seem as special, even if I still have it three, four
times a week. What I really miss are well made fruit pies. After Marie got booted out of Chula vista I have to drive 30 miles for a rhubarb pie, 80 miles for an apricot pie and to Sebastopol for a Gravenstein apple pie, ice cream optional.
+1. Definitely recommend a visit to the TIllamook Creamery (and many other places on the Oregon coast).joe amos yaks said:
McCallums has been gone for 30+ years. Fenton's is a very good tradition.
Tara's on College is most excellent.
Pick up a half gallon of Tillamook at your grocery market. . . or when in Tillamook (or Boardman), OR visit Tillamook Creamery.
BearSD said:+1. Definitely recommend a visit to the TIllamook Creamery (and many other places on the Oregon coast).joe amos yaks said:
McCallums has been gone for 30+ years. Fenton's is a very good tradition.
Tara's on College is most excellent.
Pick up a half gallon of Tillamook at your grocery market. . . or when in Tillamook (or Boardman), OR visit Tillamook Creamery.
Went to the Tillamook Creamery based on a recommendation from a friend when I took a one week drive up the entire length of the coast from Crescent City, CA to Astoria, OR. I thought it was a waste of time given how beautiful the coast is. Missed spending time at Cannon Beach as a result, because I could only do one or the other in the time I had. I am to this day annoyed at my friend which is why I am writing this now. The Oregon Coast is beautiful. If you only have a limited time along the Oregon Coast do not waste any of it in Tillamook.
Anyone trying to find quality vanilla at the grocery store should give Trader Joe's French Vanilla a go. It's the best vanilla I've had of late. There's nothing at Safeway that even comes close. Haagen-Dazs pales by comparison (their quality must have dropped recently because it's nothing like what I remember).
For the one-off shops, LOTS of good recommendations here. Thanks!
For the one-off shops, LOTS of good recommendations here. Thanks!
Yes. Trader Joes is actually made by double rainbow. It is the best. Their fudge sauce is also top notch. Hagen Daz tastes like ice milk since they were bought. I would never buy any of their products. Ben and Jerrys is good. I agree that there is too much stuff in ice cream. Must be cheaper than making plain. I hate cookies and cream or cookie dough and thats what Cal concessions carries.TandemBear said:
Anyone trying to find quality vanilla at the grocery store should give Trader Joe's French Vanilla a go. It's the best vanilla I've had of late. There's nothing at Safeway that even comes close. Haagen-Dazs pales by comparison (their quality must have dropped recently because it's nothing like what I remember).
For the one-off shops, LOTS of good recommendations here. Thanks!
Its its is sold at The Albany theater. Cal had them a few seasons ago but told me its not on Cal Dining available lists. Also no minute maid frozen lemonade because that is a coke product. I dont know how pepsi stays in business with all their crappy products and huge incentives they pay to colleges to be the exclusive product. Coke need to get more aggressive. .
Bring back It’s It’s to Haas Pavillion!
Mitchell's was the go-to spot in San Francisco when I lived in the city.
And Joe's on Geary Blvd if you were in the western districts.
And Joe's on Geary Blvd if you were in the western districts.
Since this is about ice cream, I'll pass this along to da yutes, or anyone who can use it. If the topic of ice cream arises and you're interested in someone, ask them their favor ice cream flavor/brand...but wait for a natural opening. No guarantees but be careful because I don't know anyone who won't talk about ice cream. You might get a 5 minute monologue.
I heard this in the 90s among the boho set, trying to pick up women as the most harmless yet cynical pickup question. However reading this here thread, apply it to anyone. Heck, I've seen this applied to a CHP motor cop at Farley's in SF.
I heard this in the 90s among the boho set, trying to pick up women as the most harmless yet cynical pickup question. However reading this here thread, apply it to anyone. Heck, I've seen this applied to a CHP motor cop at Farley's in SF.
We made the trip in the opposite direction the third week in OCT with stopovers in Portland, Astoria, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Tillamook, Nye Beach and Corvallis before flying home from Portland.dimitrig said:BearSD said:+1. Definitely recommend a visit to the TIllamook Creamery (and many other places on the Oregon coast).joe amos yaks said:
McCallums has been gone for 30+ years. Fenton's is a very good tradition.
Tara's on College is most excellent.
Pick up a half gallon of Tillamook at your grocery market. . . or when in Tillamook . . . OR vis
Went to the Tillamook Creamery based on a recommendation from a friend when I took a one week drive up the entire length of the coast from Crescent City, CA to Astoria, OR. I thought it was a waste of time given how beautiful the coast is. Missed spending time at Cannon Beach as a result, because I could only do one or the other in the time I had. I am to this day annoyed at my friend which is why I am writing this now. The Oregon Coast is beautiful. If you only have a limited time along the Oregon Coast do not waste any of it in Tillamook.
We made a fantastic breakfast stop in beautiful Cannon Beach and spent the night in Manzanita.
Moving on, then made a stop at the Tillamook Creamery where we lunched on a most excellent grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup with cheese curds followed by a single scoop Oregon dark cherry ice cream cone.
Don't overlook the Bay City Fish Peddler at the Pacific Oyster Company in Bay City just a short distance up the coast from Tillamook. It is easy to miss in the rainy weather.
http://places.singleplatform.com/the-fish-peddler-at-pacific-oyster/menu
The excellent Oregon Fall weather -- raining the entire way down the coast. It was a pleasant treat after leaving six months of drought in the Bay Area. When we turned east at Newport toward Corvallis it became sunny for the rest of the week and back to Portland, and the foliage color was spectacular.
So don't miss out on Cannon Beach and Bay City or Tillamook, but the hidden gem is Nye Beach near Newport, and not too for north from Cape Perpetua.
If you are adventurous, when in Astoria cross the bridge into Washington and turn west and visit the WA Park Service Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment and the Lighthouse #2 if you are a photographer looking for beautiful coastal shots of the Columbia Bar, the treacherous place where the river meets the Pacific.
"Those who say don't know, and those who know don't say." - LT
If you can spare an extra day(s) for more Oregon coastline excursions, do it! Tillamook is worth it if you like cheese, ice cream, and history. Did an Oregon coastal drive from the Bay this spring and Nye Beach (newport) was fantastic. Our #1 hidden gem though early in our trip was the Tu Tu Tun Lodge a few miles up the Rogue River from Gold Beach, not far from the CA border. The most peaceful and beautifully appointed river lodge you can find. It's not on any booking aggregator sites you need to book direct. So worth it.joe amos yaks said:We made the trip in the opposite direction the third week in OCT with stopovers in Portland, Astoria, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Tillamook, Nye Beach and Corvallis before flying home from Portland.dimitrig said:BearSD said:+1. Definitely recommend a visit to the TIllamook Creamery (and many other places on the Oregon coast).joe amos yaks said:
McCallums has been gone for 30+ years. Fenton's is a very good tradition.
Tara's on College is most excellent.
Pick up a half gallon of Tillamook at your grocery market. . . or when in Tillamook . . . OR vis
Went to the Tillamook Creamery based on a recommendation from a friend when I took a one week drive up the entire length of the coast from Crescent City, CA to Astoria, OR. I thought it was a waste of time given how beautiful the coast is. Missed spending time at Cannon Beach as a result, because I could only do one or the other in the time I had. I am to this day annoyed at my friend which is why I am writing this now. The Oregon Coast is beautiful. If you only have a limited time along the Oregon Coast do not waste any of it in Tillamook.
We made a fantastic breakfast stop in beautiful Cannon Beach and spent the night in Manzanita.
Moving on, then made a stop at the Tillamook Creamery where we lunched on a most excellent grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup with cheese curds followed by a single scoop Oregon dark cherry ice cream cone.
Don't overlook the Bay City Fish Peddler at the Pacific Oyster Company in Bay City just a short distance up the coast from Tillamook. It is easy to miss in the rainy weather.
http://places.singleplatform.com/the-fish-peddler-at-pacific-oyster/menu
The excellent Oregon Fall weather -- raining the entire way down the coast. It was a pleasant treat after leaving six months of drought in the Bay Area. When we turned east at Newport toward Corvallis it became sunny for the rest of the week and back to Portland, and the foliage color was spectacular.
So don't miss out on Cannon Beach and Bay City or Tillamook, but the hidden gem is Nye Beach near Newport, and not too for north from Cape Perpetua.
If you are adventurous, when in Astoria cross the bridge into Washington and turn west and visit the WA Park Service Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment and the Lighthouse #2 if you are a photographer looking for beautiful coastal shots of the Columbia Bar, the treacherous place where the river meets the Pacific.
grew up in Alameda and knew old man Tucker. He even personally delivered five gallons of strawberry to our house when I had a major accident and jaw was wired. (Strawberry was my fave as a kid.)Sonofafurd said:A hidden gem in the bay areaChabbear said:
Try Tuckers Ice Cream on Park Street in Alameda
agree with a post back aways recommending Tillamook. but for a special treat look for the half-gallon plastic nearly indestructible tubs of locally made..
> Treat Ice Cream Company (walk-ins welcome)
> 11 S 19th St, San Jose, CA 95116
~wayback review, w/pictures..
https://freshforthought.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/food-artisan-treat-ice-cream-company-in-san-jose-ca
> Treat Ice Cream Company (walk-ins welcome)
> 11 S 19th St, San Jose, CA 95116
~wayback review, w/pictures..
https://freshforthought.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/food-artisan-treat-ice-cream-company-in-san-jose-ca
muting more than 300 handles, turnaround is fair play
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