Best Summer Ice Cream Businesses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I've been to Woody's in Fairfax City--but much rather go to what used to be called Sweet Life Cafe and is now Choices by Sean, also in Fairfax City. Not soft serve, but delicious!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is very far but Carl's in Fredricksburg, VA.

I was just going to second this rec. Soft serveicecream, hand dipped, one 3 flavors. On Virginia Nat'l historic registry. Creatures on the Food network.

Worth the drive.

[Anonymous]

I live in Burke and we like Woody's Ice Cream in Fairfax City and the one that we adore is Peterson's Ice Cream Depot on Main Street in Clifton, VA (Old Town Clifton). We like the ambiance and the custard. Yummy!!!!

[Anonymous]

Choices in Fairfax City is good, too. Nice outdoor seating in Old Town Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

You'll have to travel out west, but Kline's in Manassas, Peterson's in Clifton, Nathan's Dairy Bar in Manassas. Another vote for Carl's in F'burg but that's even farther.

[Anonymous]

FYI, I just noticed that there is a new ice cream place coming to Clarendon. I'm hoping it's good--it was sad when the Lazy Sundae closed. They have soft-serve at the Carvels on Wilson Blvd near Clarendon, which will do in a pinch.

[Anonymous]

2nd for Jimmy Cone in Damascus. I love that place! Very old-school and fun.

[Anonymous]

I think that there are several of us, but in any case, ice cream is indeed, and in fact, better in New England. It just is. There is also far more variety and availability there than there is here.

Great. The ice cream is better in Buenos Aires than anywhere in the US, including your beloved New Endland. It that at all helpful?

While we're on the topic, Manhattan clam chowder is better that it's New England counterpart.

[Anonymous]

Great. The ice cream is better in Buenos Aires than anywhere in the US, including your beloved New Endland. It that at all helpful?

While we're on the topic, Manhattan clam chowder is better that it's New England counterpart.

Actually, not true. There are many things better in Buenos Aires than New England, but ice cream is not one of them. All the best ice cream is in New England, with some pockets of excellence in the Pacific Northwest.

While we're on the topic, there is no such thing as Manhattan clam chowder. There is some sort of tomato soup with clams that some uneducated foodies refer to as Manhattan clam "chowder", and if you want to prefer that, have at it. But it is nothing near as superior as New England clam chowder.

And, yeah, this is helpful. I wouldn't want any poor unsuspecting ice cream lovers to be taken in by your misguided post.

[Anonymous]

Country Cone in Germantown is open seasonally and reminds me of places I'd see in rural NH and VT. They usually have a good selection of flavors and varieties (ice cream, soft serve, ices) and are pretty inexpensive. It definitely has a kitschy vibe (small play area for the kids; plastic Adirondack chairs set up outside, all facing the street/parking lot) vs. an old fashioned/quaint dairy bar feel like UMD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Great. The ice cream is better in Buenos Aires than anywhere in the US, including your beloved New Endland. It that at all helpful?

While we're on the topic, Manhattan clam chowder is better that it's New England counterpart.

Actually, not true. There are many things better in Buenos Aires than New England, but ice cream is not one of them. All the best ice cream is in New England, with some pockets of excellence in the Pacific Northwest.

While we're on the topic, there is no such thing as Manhattan clam chowder. There is some sort of tomato soup with clams that some uneducated foodies refer to as Manhattan clam "chowder", and if you want to prefer that, have at it. But it is nothing near as superior as New England clam chowder.

And, yeah, this is helpful. I wouldn't want any poor unsuspecting ice cream lovers to be taken in by your misguided post.

As a rule I do not like the "everything is better in New England" poster but I will give her a few things: ice cream (although Emack's is despicable now), clam chowder, lobster rolls and donuts.

[Anonymous]

3 years in Chelmsford, MA ,as a kid, and I still call them jimmie
I spent most of my formative years in Upstate NY and I really miss all the great places to get a soft serve cone. Mostly though, I miss Stewart's ice cream and am always disappointed that you can get their soda here but not their ice cream. I have yet to find a comparable chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream.

Another former upstater here. I miss Stewart's so much too!

[Anonymous]

Honestly, there isn't any really good ice cream in this area. I'm not from New England, but Cincinnati. We have the best ice cream there...Graeter's...it even made Oprah's best list. I just don't waste the calories here...not worth it.

We also call them "jimmies" or "ants" in Cincy...but they're not needed on the great homemade Graeter's...it has huge choc. chunks in it.