Ice cream parlors with sweet, sweet nostalgia
There’s nothing quite like the first ice cream scoop of the summer, especially when it’s homemade with fresh ingredients, as most historic parlors still offer. Some authentic ice cream shops, soda fountains and confectioneries of the early to mid-1900s have stuck around through family generations, passing along traditions and maintaining a focus on quality and taste. Aside from the nostalgic parlor feel, original machinery and early-drugstore vibes, visitors can expect unique flavors, handmade cones and toppings, and old-time hospitality.
CROWN CANDY KITCHEN
Founded in 1913, this shop is St. Louis’ oldest soda fountain and has spanned four family generations. If the vintage jukebox or soda fountain doesn’t give it away, the more-than-a-century-old parlor sticks to its early traditions with homemade chocolate candies and such toppings as hot fudge, butterscotch and chocolate. The menu includes malts, shakes, floats, ice cream sodas and an extensive list of unique sundaes. The famous Crown Candy BLT is a must-try. crown candykitchen.net
FOUR SEAS
This parlor in Centerville, Mass., has been serving homemade ice cream since 1934 and is a favorite spot for Cape Cod locals and vacationers. The early 1900s blacksmith shop turned ice cream parlor serves such classics as sundaes, sodas and frappes (New England’s milkshake) in flavors including black raspberry, peanut butter chocolate chip, and penuche pecan, a New England recipe. fourseasicecream.com
MCCONNELL’S
FINE ICE CREAMS
This sweet institution was established in 1949 in Santa Barbara, Calif. McConnell’s has been using locally sourced and organic ingredients since Day One, such as grass-grazed Central Coast milk and cream, organic fruits and nuts, and homemade jams, caramels and chocolates. Stop in for such flavors as Cardamom, Eureka Lemon and Marionberries, Sea Salt Cream and Cookies, and Toasted Coconut Almond Chip. The scoop shops have spread to four California locations. mcconnells.com/
LEOPOLD’S ICE CREAM
This shop in Savannah, Ga., was founded in 1919 by three immigrant brothers from Greece. Leopold’s, now owned by the son of one of the original brothers, still serves handmade, smallbatch ice cream from its 96-yearold recipes, including the famous Leopold’s Tutti-Frutti. Old-time fountain creations include banana splits, hot fudge sundaes, shakes, fruit sundaes, malts and ice cream sodas. Leopold also offers cafe specials frozen hot chocolate, the Leopold Steamer and the Caffe Leopold with an ice cream scoop and a shot of espresso. leopoldicecream.com
THE ORIGINAL
RAINBOW CONE
This Chicago favorite was established in 1926 and has been passed down within the family ever since. The original rainbow cone contains five layers of ice cream: chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House, pistachio and orange sherbet. The creamery now has a Rainbow Cake too. Also available are sundaes, splits and shakes in flavors such as black walnut, chocolate peanut butter and New York vanilla. rainbowcone.com
GRAETER’S ICE CREAM
Graeter’s oldest location, in Cincinnati’s Hyde Park, opened in 1922, but the history of Greater’s dates back to 1868. Now in its fourth generation of ownership, Graeter’s sticks to its old-world French Pot freezing process and reputation for giant chocolate chips. Though Graeter’s is now nationwide and commercially sold, pop into its historic location for handcrafted classic, seasonal and signature chip flavors, gelato and sorbet. graeters.com
SWENSEN’S
Swensen’s first ice cream shop in San Francisco was opened in 1948 by founder Earle Swensen. Since then, Swensen’s has produced more than 180 ice cream flavors and has expanded worldwide as old-fashion parlors, restaurants and kiosks. Visit the original location at the corner of Union and Hyde for outrageous mega- and super-sundaes, shakes, floats, scoops and smoothies. swensensicecream.com
ANGELO BROCATO ICE CREAM
& CONFECTIONERY
Angelo Brocato Original Italian Ice Cream Parlor in New Orleans has been in the Brocato family since 1905. Find flavors like the Torroncino, a vanilla gelato with cinnamon and ground almonds; Zuppa Inglese; rum raisin; Joseph Chocolate Almond; and Tira Mi Su. The spumoni is a traditional Sicilian treat with lemon, pistachio and tutti-frutti gelato. angelobrocatoicecream.com