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Yelp Names 4 North Carolina Spots As Top U.S. Ice Cream Shops

Author Kayla Morgan

Yelp has released its second annual Top 100 U.S. Ice Cream Shops list in anticipation of National Ice Cream Day. They’ve rounded up the absolute best ice cream places in the country, based on customer reviews and ratings. These places are all about pushing the boundaries with unique flavors, crazy toppings, and fun ways to enjoy your favorite frozen treats, whether it’s in cones, cups, sandwiches, or even wacky containers.

Regarding the top ice cream spots, North Carolina takes the crown with four sweet treat shops making it to the list. And sitting in the number 15 spot is  Surfin’ Spoon in Nags Head. According to Yelp, you can DIY a special soft-serve treat at this beachy hangout owned by a former pro surfer Jessie Hines.  This shop offers self-serve froyo, gelato, sorbet, and vegan and gluten-free flavors.

“What really stands out are their ice cream sandwiches,” said Yelp reviewer Eileen J. “It’s the perfect ratio of ice cream to cookies, and the cookie is just the right softness that it doesn’t fall apart after the first bite.”

North Carolina has quite a few spots that made it onto the list.  Sugar Koi in Cary is in the number 17 spot. Greensboro’s Ozzie’s Ice Cream takes the 11th spot, offering a range of treats. Meanwhile, Cary’s Andia’s Homemade Ice Cream landed at spot number 24.

This year’s ice cream trends.

The popular review platform has discovered some ice cream trends for this year. Their latest list reveals that the flavors inspired by Southeast Asia have become incredibly popular. Ice cream shops like Tricycle Ice Cream in Providence, Rhode Island (ranked #7), and Mitchell’s Ice Cream in San Francisco, California (ranked #10), have jumped on board the trend by introducing unique flavors such as ube (purple yam) and other flavors from the Philippines to their menus.

This year’s ice cream shops are getting super creative with their offerings, catering to various dietary preferences. They’re not just serving up regular ice cream but also whipping up vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options. Here are some of the hotspots that made Yelp’s list. Topping the charts at #1 is Coneflower Creamery in Omaha, Nebraska. According to the site, the pastry-chef owners there are crafting artisanal vegan flavors with an option of gluten-free waffle cones.

Meanwhile, there’s a Mexican trend taking over the ice cream scene. The Paleta Bar–Shanghai Plaza, an Albuquerque-based chain with a branch at #11 on the list, is serving up Mexican-style “popsicles” known as paletas.

It seems like ice cream is breaking free from the confines of the traditional cone. At Fluffy’s Sno-Balls in Long Beach, California (#5) and Moo Moo Cows in Baltimore, Maryland (#6), you can have your ice cream tucked inside a sno-ball. Also on the list is Confetti Italian Ice & Custard in Costa Mesa, California (#9). They’re taking ice cream to the next level by layering it with Italian ice. Taking a bolder approach is Deep Barrel Roasters & Creamery in Norco, California (#13. Apparently, they’re air-frying their ice cream, resulting in a combination of crispy and creamy.

See who else made the top ice cream list? Take a look at the full list here.

10 Wild Ice Cream Flavors to Try This Season

Summer is officially ice cream season, and July is National Ice Cream Month. Actually, every season is ice cream season, if you ask me. I seriously enjoy scoops of my favorite ice cream whether it’s 90 degrees outside or freezing cold. When it comes to ice cream flavors, it’s hard to beat the classics. Vanilla, chocolate, chocolate-chip and mint chocolate-chip are always favorites. But, why not switch it up and try some really wild ice cream flavors?

As a graduate of Michigan State University, I’ve tried many random ice cream flavors at the MSU Dairy Store. MSU is an agricultural college, so it’s known for the Dairy Store and having delicious ice cream. Honey Lavender and Spartan Swirl come to mind. But, enough about MSU. You don’t have to come to Michigan to get some unique ice cream flavors.

Read on for 10 wild ice cream flavors that you need to try. These flavors are all from major ice cream makers, so they should be fairly easy to find, no matter where you’re located. I’ve also included some non-dairy and gluten-free ice cream options for vegans and those on a gluten-free diet. I’m not vegan, but my favorite ice cream currently is actually non-dairy. Hopefully, there’s enough variety on this list for you to find your new favorite ice cream flavor.

It’s worth noting that some of these ice cream flavors are seasonal and only available in the summer. That said, the majority of the flavors below are currently available year-round.

  • Haagen-Dazs - Summer Berry Cake Pop Ice Cream

    I’ve definitely never heard of “Summer Berry Cake Pop Ice Cream.” What is a summer berry cake pop? Regardless, it sounds great. “We swirl velvety strawberry ice cream with sweet cream ice cream, add perfect, fluffy cake pieces and then finish with a tangy raspberry sauce,” they describe on their website.

    Summer Berry Cake Pop Ice Cream | Häagen-Dazs®

    Häagen-Dazs® Summer Berry Cake Pop Ice Cream is crafted with the finest ingredients to satisfy your taste buds! Learn more about our City Sweets ice cream flavors.

  • Breyers - Layered Dessert Caramel Apple Pie

    Breyers’ “Layered Dessert Caramel Apple Pie” is a special treat, bringing you that feeling of having a piece of apple pie with ice cream on top. “We start with smooth Breyers® and stir in real apples between two layers of caramel with pie crust pieces. The experience of caramel apple pie topped with Breyers, all in one scoop!” Breyers states on their website.

    Layered Dessert Caramel Apple Pie

    Our Breyers® Layered Dessert Caramel Apple Pie is a layer of vanilla with real apples between two layers of caramel with pie crust pieces. The experience of caramel apple pie topped with Breyers, all in one scoop!

  • Halo Top - Blueberry Crumble

    Halo Top ice cream is diet ice cream, with way less calories than regular ice cream. Their flavors are pretty standard, but they do have one, “Blueberry Crumble,” that’s super unique. I don’t eat diet ice cream, but my friend had me try this one, and it was good. “Swirls of sweet blueberry pie filling and chunks of pie crust, our Blueberry Crumble light ice cream delivers the best of spring with a good source of protein,” Halo Top states on their official website.

    Blueberry Crumble Ice Cream

    Sweet blueberry pie filling,chunks of pie crust, our Blueberry Crumble light ice cream delivers the best with a good source of protein. 330 calories per pint.

  • Baskin-Robbins - Cookie Monster

    When I think of “Cookie Monster” ice cream, I definitely picture something blue, just like the real Cookie Monster. Well, Baskin-Robbins has that flavor of ice cream, and it’s blue. They describe it as “sweet cream ice cream stuffed with chocolate sandwich cookie pieces, chocolate-chip cookie pieces and cookie dough batter flavored swirls.” That sounds delish.

    Baskin-Robbins

    Flavors for everyone, every day, for every occasion. Seize the Yay and order online today.

  • Dreyer's - Triple Fudge Brownie Boulevard

    “Triple Fudge Brownie Boulevard” is a wild take on your typical brownie-packed ice cream. Dreyer’s describes it as, “A fan favorite re-imagined: our beloved Double Fudge Brownie now with crispy brownie edges​! ​A delicious pairing of brownie pieces and brownie batter swirls is now complete with extra indulgence for the ultimate brownie lover.”

    Triple Fudge Brownie Boulevard Ice Cream | Dreyer's® Rocky Road

    A fan favorite re-imagined: our beloved Double Fudge Brownie now with crispy brownie edges​! ​A delicious pairing of brownie pieces and brownie batter swirls is now complete with extra indulgence for the ultimate brownie lover

  • Blue Bunny - Cherrific Cheesecake

    Blue Bunny keeps their flavors list pretty classic. That said, they do have a few flavors that stand out. One is “Cherrific Cheesecake,” which taste like it sounds. “Cheesecake frozen dairy dessert, cherry and graham swirls,” they describe. It’s like cherry cheesecake, but it’s ice cream.

    Cherrific Cheesecake

    Cheesecake frozen dairy dessert, cherry and graham swirls.

  • Ben & Jerry's - Oatmeal Dream Pie

    “Oatmeal Dream Pie” from Ben & Jerry’s is kind of like those Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream cookies. You know, the soft, tasty, cream-packed oatmeal creams. This is a new flavor from Ben & Jerry’s, and this is the non-dairy version. It uses sunflower milk. It’s also gluten-free. “Our friends at Partake have provided the oh-my-goodness-this-is-gluten-free!? oatmeal cookie you’ll find in this snacktime favorite of a flavor,” they state.

    Oatmeal Dream Pie™ Non-Dairy

    Our friends at Partake have provided the oh-my-goodness-this-is-gluten-free!? oatmeal cookie you'll find in this snacktime favorite of a flavor. Learn their story at partakefoods.com

  • Cold Stone Creamery - Oreo Overload

    Everyone has heard of cookies and cream ice cream. But, Cold Stone Creamery goes one step further and packs its cookies and cream ice cream with a ton of real Oreo cookies, making it stand out. “It’s just like dipping an Oreo in milk. Except, you know, with chocolate chips. And fudge,” they describe. I’m in.

    Oreo® Overload

    It's just like dipping an OREO® in milk. Except, you know, with chocolate chips. And fudge. Whatever - it's amazing!

  • Haagen-Dazs - Black & White Cookie Ice Cream

    Here’s another unique flavor. I’ve definitely had cookies and cream ice cream. But what about “Black & White Cookie Ice Cream?” I’ve never heard of such a thing! Haagen-Dazs describes it as, “Inspired by New York’s classic Black & White cookie, we mixed vanilla bean ice cream with soft cookie pieces and ripples of chocolate frosting. Forget the cookie and grab your spoon.”

    Black & White Cookie Ice Cream | Häagen-Dazs®

    Häagen-Dazs® Black & White Cookie Ice Cream is crafted with the finest ingredients to satisfy your taste buds! Learn more about our City Sweets ice cream flavors.

  • Dairy Queen - Non-Dairy Dilly Bar

    Here’s an option for vegans. Dairy Queen offers a “Non-Dairy Dilly Bar,” which is “gluten free, dairy-free, and plant-based, made with a coconut cream based protein and finished with our delicious crunchy chocolatey coating,” according to their website. So, you can have the fun without the dairy or gluten, which is a good thing for sensitive diets.

    Non-Dairy Dilly® Bar | Dairy Queen® Menu

    Our Non-Dairy Dilly Bar is gluten free, dairy-free, and plant-based, made with a coconut cream based protein and finished with our delicious crunchy chocolatey coating.

Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.

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