With the warm weather, you should definitely go get an ice cream under the stars -- or a snow cone in the midst of your errands.
Howard County has a long list of stands that will sell you ice cream to enjoy outside. It's a fabulous simple treat of the season, and ice cream is just a little more delicious if you're leaning up against your car.
(Update: Most of these places are still around, but I updated this post in 2011.)
(Update: Most of these places are still around, but I updated this post in 2011.)
These are the ones that I know about (paired with a place to grab an easy dinner):
- Soft Stuff on Rte 40 in Ellicott City. This is the gold standard for a summer night out. Soft serve ice cream at a picnic table. Banana splits for a few dollars more. Nostalgia for free. (Pair with Korean at Bethany Seafood Restaurant or Shin Chon Garden.)
- Cindy's on U.S. 1 in Elkridge. This seasonal stand comes recommended by Lanette for soft serve and other frozen treats, and it is on my list to check out this summer. (Pair with pit beef from Smokey & Uncle Grube's.)
- Pepperjacks Deli in Laurel. This family-run joint just south of Rte 216 serves great sandwiches, and it also scoops ice cream and whips shakes. There is a homemade playground that looks great for young kids. (Pair with Pepperjack's own sandwiches.)
- Arties in Clarksville. This is an old standard on Rte 108 recommended by Dzoey for Hershey Ice Cream. (Pair with pizza or kabob from Mimi's Kabob.)
- Rita's in Columbia and Ellicott City. This is one of our favorites, although I know people see them as an invading chain. Black cherry ice layered with vanilla cream. (The absolute perfect pair with pumpkin, kabobs and bread at Maiwand Kabob or with pizza at Trattoria E Pizzeria Da Enrico)
- Snowballs in Clarksville and KyKy's Hawaiian Ice in Elkridge for shaved ice -- along with Pete's Snowball stand at Oakland Mills Road and Old Montgomery Road in Columbia talked up by Columbia Talk and Evan of the Howard County Blog. These are super simple -- shaved ice topped with a flavor shot. They're my treat when I'm doing errands. Confirm that KyKy's is open in 2009. I haven't been there yet this season.
- In a comment below, the Baltimore Beer Guy talks up The Snowball Stand on Rte 99 for great flavors at a local institution. It even has its own blog at http://snowballstand.blogspot.com/
- From the comments below, I learned about Seibel's in Burtonsville. The family restaurant makes its own ice cream, and they're creamy and delicious. (Pair with Cuba de Ayer.)
For a more hipster touch, consider Yogiberry in Olney for the closest taste of the sour yogurt trend. It's a Pinkberry clone with delicious frozen yogurt topped with mochi. (Update in 2010: Actually, Yogiberry is now in the Columbia Mall, and you can enjoy Tutti Frutti in Ellicott City on a summer night. There are few outdoor chairs, but lots of places to lean against you car, enjoy the frozen yogurt, and watch the Burger King drivethrough.)
Can anyone recommend other places for ice cream outside? Anywhere good in downtown Ellicott City? Does anyone in Howard County actually make their own ice cream? The closest that I have heard is the gelato that I want to try at Cafe di Roma in Catonsville.
This is part of the "What I Learned" series of posts. They're organized in rings. See below to continue on the ring of ideas about food in Howard County. Or click to switch to the posts about different cuisines or posts about shopping.
PREVIOUS: Great Takeout in Howard County.
NEXT: Parking Lot Cafe: The Ultimate Howard County Experience
PREVIOUS: Great Takeout in Howard County.
NEXT: Parking Lot Cafe: The Ultimate Howard County Experience
Here here on Soft Serve on Route 40next to the Forest Diner! There is something about the ice cream there....a little more dense, yet still light. About once per summer I get a craving for it and drive from Baltimore just for it :)
ReplyDeleteThere's Coldstone, across the parking lot from Coal Fire (Richard's Valley Rd, off of Rte. 108 in Ellicott City).
ReplyDeleteDon't for get Baskin Robbin's located in many Dunkin Donuts shops.
ReplyDeleteThe Snowball Stand on Rt. 99, its an institution
ReplyDeletehttp://snowballstand.blogspot.com/
West on 70 exit Marriottsville Road, Right on 99, left on Woodstock Road or go 29 N until it ends, left on 99 and right on Woodstock Road, immediately at the corner.
Endless snowball flavors as well as soft serve.
Soft Stuff serves world-class soft serve.
ReplyDeleteI must disagree. Soft Stuff is simply average and survives on nostalgia. The ice cream shop at the intersection on Rt 40 and St John's Lane that just closed had far superior soft serve. Rita's is not really ice cream, but still good. BR's new soft serve is pretty bad, IMO. Like McDonald's. Love, love, love the one and only king of snowball stands in Woodstock. Truly world-class. Don't like their soft serve, though. There is also The Duchess right off 103 (where the Target/B&N/Safeway shopping center is) which has Turkey Hill ice cream and some of the best and most affordable simple milkshakes. The have business hours, though, which aways makes me sad.
ReplyDeleteCafe di Roma is excellent for most flavors. A little expensive, I know, so taste before you buy. They also have very affordable lunch sandwiches. Their baked goods come from a "gourmet bakery" and are just okay, in my opinion. Btw, they are not affiliated with the now defunct gelato shop of the same name in Little Italy. You might want to call Nora's Cafe and ask if their gelato is homemade.
ReplyDeleteIf you visit Cafe di Roma, a hundred yards down the road is Opie's with good soft serve. It's only $1 for a kiddie cone.
Off the top of my head, I can't remember a place in Howard County with their own ice cream. There is a place next to the Ethiopian coffee house in Burtonsville. A family restaurant that also makes their own ice cream.
Way out of Howard County, but when we go to Grace Garden we always pair it with a trip to either Daily Scoop in Pasadena (truly special) or Ann's Dari Creme in Glen Burnie (for very creamy soft serve).
Cool new banner Brent!
ReplyDeleteThere are also snow cone stands at the intersection of Oakland Mills Road and Old Montgomery Road in Columbia and I am told at Kendall's Hardware Store in Clarksville.
ReplyDeleteNo KyKy's yet - went by there yesterday and found no shack.
ReplyDeleteSeibel's Restaurant in Burtonsville is the family place that makes it's own ice cream, I think. - David P
ReplyDeleteThank you for all of these ice cream recommendations! I actually went to the Snowball Stand last night, but for snowballs, not ice cream. They make the best around.
ReplyDeleteA new place just opened close to clarksville on 108 and 216 hidden treasure they have great organic icecream and shakes and smoothies and have outside seating but one of the best things is the cheesecakes and cupcakes awesome
ReplyDeleteArties shaved ice & hand dipped soft serve on Rt. 108 South of Clarksville (barely) should get some love. There's also a place on Old Rt. 29 outside of Burtonsville, Sarem's, that, if it's still open (I haven't been since last year/season), has good shaved ice/soft serve in great flavors - but I forget the name. It's up the street from the shopping center with the Giant in it.
ReplyDeleteopie's on edmondson ave. in catonsville is delicious! they have soft serve, milkshakes, snowballs, snow shakes and sundaes. their prices are super super reasonable (cheap) and on a warm summer night it is really hopping.
ReplyDelete