Ice cream fans rejoice in search for area’s best
I scream, you scream, we all scream, (fill in the blank) has the best ice cream.
In a city filled with debates and controversy, perhaps it’s not surprising Washington-area residents disagree about which store sells the best ice cream. Taste, location and history are all factors people consider before casting their votes.
“The place that I go is the Baskin-Robbins inside Dunkin Donuts on Capitol Hill,” said D.C. resident Amy Rogers Nazarov, mother of 2-year old Jake. “The people there are really nice and the door is big enough to fit the stroller through with no hassle. Sometimes it just comes down to that.”
With hundreds of choices and locations, rating the area’s ice cream has become something of a hobby for various news media and travel writers. And of course individuals have their own personal favorites.
attractionsbook.comJimmie Cone» 2640 Ridge Road» Damascus, Md. » Two locations» 301-253-2003» jimmieconemd.com
Milwaukee Frozen Custard» 8411 Sudley Road, Manassas, Va.» 703-393-9990» Five locations» milwaukeefrozencustard.com
Jim Slattery, of Washington D.C., a lifelong area resident, prefers the Cold Stone Creamery chain, specifically for the no-sugar-added cake batter flavor.
“[It] has a great flavor and reminds me instantly of licking the beaters from the cake mixer,” he said.
Mandy Ficco, of Bowie, a former employee of Cold Stone Creamery and a self-described ice cream fanatic whose family often makes their own ice cream, agrees that is one not-to-be-missed taste.
“I am a true ice cream person,” she said. “When you’re hungry, have ice cream. It’s not a snack; it’s a meal.”
For sheer D.C. history and many exotic flavors, many choose Gifford’s Ice Cream & Candy Co., which has eight area locations, including one in Nationals Park. Gifford’s has been in business 70 years and employs a full-time chef who watches quality control and concocts such treats as Banana Bailey’s & Cream flavor.
“It is very rich and creamy,” said chef Andrew Rucker, a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, of Gifford’s all-natural ice cream. “That is about as high as you can possibly get … Gifford’s does classic flavors and also very contemporary ones.”
Dan Leiter, owner of Jimmie Cone, which has stores in Damascus and Mount Airy, said customers sought out the business, which opened in 1962, as part of their personal histories.
“We haven’t changed a thing, and people like that,” he said. “It has been here for so long, there aren’t many places around that his where people who were customers when they were kids can bring their kids.”
Although the newer stores might not have that history, they make up for it in creating special treats that they hope will prompt modern parents to make visits traditional for their families.
“I am fanatical that we have the best ice cream, the best service and the friendliest staff,” said Dave Hutton, owner of Nathan’s Dairy Bar in Manassas. “We create our own atmosphere. I want this to be the place everyone stands in line with their families chitchatting.”
What will bring them there, said Hutton, is the “best available” ice cream in the area. Hutton also said he was fanatical about taste testing and quality control, making sure that he selects the best ingredients and flavors available.
“Really it doesn’t have to be my opinion,” he said. “We are big on taste testing with employees … I want to serve what the customers want.”
He’s not alone. Al Casey, the owner of Milwaukee Frozen Custard, which has five area locations, traveled all over the U.S. sampling custards before he chose one to serve in his stores. He’s still diligent about quality control.
“I may not have the very, very, very best custard in the country,” he said. “But I have the very, very best … and the very best in this area.”
