Best Summer Ice Cream Businesses?

[Anonymous]

Where do you go out for ice cream in the summer here? Share your hidden jems!

Back home, we had a great classic summer ice cream stand that served good old soft serve with rainbow jimmies, with outdoor seating. I haven't been able to find anything similar in the area. Every place I know of is a strip mall store front with a couple chairs on the sidewalk or in a mall.

Any suggestions of places with personality? Doesn't matter if it's fro-yo, soft serve, regular ice cream. I'm in Northern Virginia, but would be interested (and others might be too) of hearing other options as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where do you go out for ice cream in the summer here? Share your hidden jems!

Back home, we had a great classic summer ice cream stand that served good old soft serve with rainbow jimmies, with outdoor seating. I haven't been able to find anything similar in the area. Every place I know of is a strip mall store front with a couple chairs on the sidewalk or in a mall.

Any suggestions of places with personality? Doesn't matter if it's fro-yo, soft serve, regular ice cream. I'm in Northern Virginia, but would be interested (and others might be too) of hearing other options as well.

Your use of the term "jimmies" tells me that you hail from New England, Land of Great Ice Cream Readily Available at Small Independents With Personality. I too grew up there, and didn't know that this Ice Cream Presence was not the norm, until I left.

Sorry - you are not in New England any more. People in this area don't know, or produce, good ice cream. As you say, the ice cream shops are largely strip mall store front with a couple chairs on the sidewalk or in a mall.

[Anonymous]

They don't do soft-serve, and it's not a "hidden" gem, but we love the Dairy Godmother in Del Ray. It's Wisconsin-style frozen custard, and I'd say the place has personality. There are a few picnic tables across the street where we like to hang out and enjoy our custard and people-watch.

[Anonymous]

Definitely the Dairy Godmother in Del Ray! Love that place. Sometimes the line is out the door though, and I don't think they are open on Sundays.

To the pp who commented about jimmies -- I grew up calling them jimmies too. Always thought it was a Philadelphia thing...

[Anonymous]

Maryland has a dairy store on campus that makes the best ice cream around this area. Gifford's was great as an original place but it was sold and the new owner decided to sell some cheap ice cream as gifford's and got caughtt and now you know why they are gone....

try the one at maryland

[Anonymous]

Neilsens Frozen Custard in Vienna - IMO better than Dairy Godmother. Best frozen treat ever!

http://www.thecustardstore.com/Site/Welcome.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where do you go out for ice cream in the summer here? Share your hidden gems!

Back home, we had a great classic summer ice cream stand that served good old soft serve with rainbow jimmies, with outdoor seating. I haven't been able to find anything similar in the area. Every place I know of is a strip mall store front with a couple chairs on the sidewalk or in a mall.

Any suggestions of places with personality? Doesn't matter if it's fro-yo, soft serve, regular ice cream. I'm in Northern Virginia, but would be interested (and others might be too) of hearing other options as well.

Your use of the term "jimmies" tells me that you hail from New England, Land of Great Ice Cream Readily Available at Small Independents With Personality. I too grew up there, and didn't know that this Ice Cream Presence was not the norm, until I left.

Sorry - you are not in New England any more. People in this area don't know, or produce, good ice cream. As you say, the ice cream shops are largely strip mall store front with a couple chairs on the sidewalk or in a mall.

OP here. Hilarious, glad you get it! Yes, I'm from New England and thought maybe it just takes a few years to find these local places... Thanks for the suggestions so far!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely the Dairy Godmother in Del Ray! Love that place. Sometimes the line is out the door though, and I don't think they are open on Sundays.

To the pp who commented about jimmies -- I grew up calling them jimmies too. Always thought it was a Philadelphia thing...

They're open on Sundays. Closed on Tuesdays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where do you go out for ice cream in the summer here? Share your hidden gems!

Back home, we had a great classic summer ice cream stand that served good old soft serve with rainbow jimmies, with outdoor seating. I haven't been able to find anything similar in the area. Every place I know of is a strip mall store front with a couple chairs on the sidewalk or in a mall.

Any suggestions of places with personality? Doesn't matter if it's fro-yo, soft serve, regular ice cream. I'm in Northern Virginia, but would be interested (and others might be too) of hearing other options as well.

Your use of the term "jimmies" tells me that you hail from New England, Land of Great Ice Cream Readily Available at Small Independents With Personality. I too grew up there, and didn't know that this Ice Cream Presence was not the norm, until I left.

Sorry - you are not in New England any more. People in this area don't know, or produce, good ice cream. As you say, the ice cream shops are largely strip mall store front with a couple chairs on the sidewalk or in a mall.

OP here. Hilarious, glad you get it! Yes, I'm from New England and thought maybe it just takes a few years to find these local places... Thanks for the suggestions so far!

I am also from New England and have yet to find something comparable to the ice cream stands that are set up in small towns and are only open in the summer (I am from NH). We usually go to Tobys in the Westover area of Arlington - not soft serve, but still good ice cream. There is also the Frozen Dairy Bar in Falls Church on Rte. 50 - yes, it is in a strip mall with only a little outdoor seating, but it is still good. I think you have to drive out further to get the sort of thing you are looking for, OP.

[Anonymous]

Nutter's in Sharpsburg Maryland. It's just Green's Ice cream so it's not store made but they have a great variety and it's very inexpensive. You can get to kids (single scoop) and two mediums (three scoops) for under $7.50. And I dare someone to eat one of their bananna splits ($6) by themselves

[Anonymous]

OP, even the Dairy Queens are few and far between here. The shore is your best best.

[Anonymous]

geez louise, it is the "everything is better in New England" poster. you have nothing of substance to contribute.

The Dairy Godmother is a great suggestion. It has personality, though it is a modern interpretation of the classic ice cream shop- think dulce de leche custard and strawberry balsamic sorbet. Still, it maintains a funky, neighborhood vibe.

This may be to far afield for you but Woody's in Fairfax City is the real deal. Old family business, been around for years (though now in a new location- the old location was more along the lines of what you are thinking of, a roadside stand with all outdoor seating), soft serve, jimmies, the works. Tastes like summer. BTW, I grew up in NY saying jimmies, it is not strictly a New England thing.

[Anonymous]

My favorite is bacatto (or is it bocatto?) in clarendon across from the whole foods. its gelatto and thats why I love it, with lots of interesting flavors. but I am biased because it used to be walking distance to my home

[Anonymous]

Giffords is coming back. There is one open in Chevy Chase. Not sure if the Bethesda one has reopened yet.

There is Yogiberry in Bethesda that let's you serve your own frozen yogurt and toppings. It is priced by the ounce though and can be expensive if you load up with goodies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maryland has a dairy store on campus that makes the best ice cream around this area. Gifford's was great as an original place but it was sold and the new owner decided to sell some cheap ice cream as gifford's and got caughtt and now you know why they are gone....

try the one at maryland

I was going to say the University of Maryland too.