Soft Stuff Lost The Creepy Motel, But Made A Friendly Corner On Rte 40 For Ice Cream

Soft Stuff ice cream with rainbow sprinkles

I didn't believe that Soft Stuff could recreate the magic on Rte 40, but now I've taken a kid to lick ice cream on a summer night -- and I can see they pulled it off.

Soft Stuff is now a cash-only ice cream takeout in a shopping center on Rte 40 across from the Enchanted Forest shopping center.  Years ago, it was a classic haunt -- a wooden ice cream stand attached to a rundown motel in sight of Rte 40 in Ellicott City.  In 2012, the old site was demolished to make way for the new construction.

Back then, I didn't think the new place would capture the magic.  Soft Stuff had a specific vibe.  Teenagers behind the counter.  Customers basically loitering in a parking lot on hot summer nights.  I loved it then, and I felt the same this summer as Lil' Chow negotiated his way into a waffle cone plus sprinkles, then licked, licked, licked ice cream overlooking the parking lots.

River House Pizza Co. going down the row

The folks who redeveloped the old motel hit some real home runs for food.  They have a Korean restaurant in there, a Korean coffee shop, another Asian restaurant, a kabob place, Glory Days and more.  On my last visit, I surprised to see signs for River House Pizza Co.  That's Nathan Sowers' mobile pizza operation that has run off Main Street for years, and they're expanding to run a restaurant and headquarter his catering business, according to Joshua Gordon in the Baltimore Business Journal.

Definitely hit up Soft Stuff.  It's worth a visit on its own.  You order at the counter, then enjoy one of the few inside seats or the row of outdoor benches.    It's pretty basic soft serve.  But that's perfect for a warm summer night, doubly perfect if you get to watch a kid try to eat the entire cone before everything melts. 

And keep Soft Stuff in mind when I write more about all the great restaurants in the neighborhood.  The Enchanted Forest is headlined by White Oak Tavern.  The Soft Stuff development has its own restaurants.  And across the parking lots is a renovated shopping center with established Honey Pig and a new run of Thai, hot pot and tea.  In many ways, Rte 40 is winning the restaurant competition around here, and I'll post more soon.

Ice Cream On A Summer Night 2011

Summer heat here can be disgusting, so you need to create your own cold wave with ice cream under the stars.

Take advantage of these late sunsets. Check out one of the Howard County joints offering variations on soft serve, frozen yogurt, or even a bowl of ice and a dozen Korean ingredients. From standard to exotic, they're all a chance to escape the heat, hang out with your people, and remember why the hottest night is still better than being trapped in your house by winter's dark and cold.

For bonus points, pair one of these joints with 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 barbecue at Honey Pig or Shin Chon Garden.)
• Seibel's in Burtonsville may have the best ice cream, although I haven't been there recently enough to crown them officially. They are the closest place that I know that makes its own ice cream.  They're creamy and delicious.  (Pair with Cuba de Ayer.)

Ice Cream For A Summer Night 2009

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.)

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.

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