Scooping up Summer
Fun picks for frozen delights in Chesapeake Country
It’s been a hard year. And now we are thick in the heat of summer. It’s time for all of us to chill out and treat ourselves to a little sweet goodness. Or a massive scoop of goodness. With sprinkles. And a cherry on top. After all, National Ice Cream Day is July 18. It’s time to celebrate!
Below you will find a small sampling of the greatest frozen concoctions on this side of the Chesapeake Bay. We kept our list to small, locally-owned shops in hopes that you will give them a try when you are in need of a cone or a cup, a float or a shake. Our suggestions range from simple soft-serve to over-the-top extreme dessert creations. Let us know what you try this summer!
—Kathy Knotts
ANNE ARUNDEL
Annapolis Ice Cream/Always Ice Cream Company
Downtown Annapolis, 196 Main St.; 443-714-8674
West Annapolis, 116 Annapolis St.; 443-775-5297
Always Ice Cream Truck (follow social media for locations)
Coming soon—Main St. At South River Colony, Edgewater
A lot has been happening with this company, which bought the iconic Annapolis Ice Cream Co. in downtown. They just opened as Always Ice Cream Co. in West Annapolis and are working on a new store in Edgewater.
Try this treat: Take a Carlson’s donut and fill it with ice cream and toppings and now you have Icy Bunz—the ultimate decadence.
Storm Brothers Ice Cream Factory
130 Dock St., Annapolis; 410-263-3376
Another icon of downtown Annapolis, Storm Brothers has been a favorite since 1976.
Try this treat: Cotton Candy, Bourbon Truffle, Blue Panda are intriguing flavors. We think the Dark Chocolate Raspberry Truffle and Caramel Cookies & Cream look amazing, too.
The Daily Scoop
3201 Mountain Rd.#109, Pasadena; 410-437-2667
So many choices, such tiny stomachs. Find every flavor of ice cream, plus Italian ices, ice cream cakes that can also be customized, handmade dipped cones, stuffed cannoli and chocolate-coated Rice Krispies treat ice cream sandwiches.
Try this treat: The one you will be talking about for weeks will be the Apple Fritter Ice Cream sandwiches—two fritters filled with salted caramel ice cream.
Shady Side Soft Serve
6179 Shady Side Rd, Shady Side; 410-867-8610
South County loves this little oasis of creamy sweet dairy goodness. Residents literally wait for the “season” to start so they can line up at this hidden soft-serve stand.
Try this treat: The Peanut Butter Bomb is exactly the peanut butter and ice cream combination you hoped it would be, topped with drizzles of sauce and chunks of chocolate and peanut butter candy; Some folks swear by the layered Upside-Down Banana Split that comes in a cup. You decide. We choose both.
Sweet Satisfaction Ice Cream Truck
Follow them on social media for their locations: facebook.com/IceCreamTruckMD
443-878-2245
Dessert heaven on wheels? Yes, please. This ice cream truck serves up hand-scooped ice cream, old-fashioned soft-serve, sundaes, floats made with pure cane sugar soda in glass bottles, warm desserts with ice cream complements and interesting items like chocolate hand-dipped frozen Key lime cheesecake on a stick.
Try this treat: One of their newest floats that we LOVE is the Peach Nehi Float. This is true refreshment from the South. Peach Nehi originated in 1924, boasts pure cane sugar and is served in a glass bottle. Unlike other peach sodas, Nehi Peach soda tastes like biting into a sweet, juicy fruit. They pop the top and pour it over a generous amount of rich vanilla hand scooped ice cream, add a soda spoon and straw—and they give you the remainder of the soda in the bottle to enjoy!
Ann’s Dari Creme
7918 Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie; 410-761-1231
Facebook.com/annsdaricremeofficial
This unique restaurant is mainly known for their hot dogs, soft-serve, and the fact they’ve been going strong for 71 years. CBM Editorial Director Meg Viviano has been dripping their vanilla soft-serve on her lap for almost half of those years.
Try this treat: Staffers say you must try the hot fudge nut sundae or order up a large soft-serve cone dipped in chocolate and covered with jimmies. A classic summer treat.
The FroYo House
550 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Severna Park; 410-975-5676
1276 Bay Dale Dr., Arnold; 443-949-0248
thefroyohouse.com
A locally-owned frozen yogurt shop is a rarity, which makes this pair of stores important enough to make our list. They serve all the usual suspects in the world of fro-yo, but also include vegan flavors and cookie dough and boba ball toppings.
Try this treat: Cake batter is a popular flavor, but staffer Allison tells us that the almond milk yellow cake is the superior flavor, and it’s vegan.
CALVERT
Mrs. Moo’s Corner at Spider Hall Farm
3915 Hallowing Point Rd., Prince Frederick; 410-610-0094
When we talk about extreme desserts, Mrs. Moo’s is what we mean. One glance at the photos on their social media will explain it better. Just imagine entire slices of cake on top of a shake.
Treat to try: The Red Velvet Extreme Milkshake is all the flavor and richness of cake but in a form you can put a straw in. Ultimate in creamy yumminess.
Jango’s Frozen Treats
9100 Bay Ave., North Beach; 443-964-6076
Facebook.com/jangosfrozentreats
Just steps from North Beach’s boardwalk, Jango’s serves up all lactose-free treats. They are also now selling chili cheese dogs and nachos.
Treat to try: We hear the Dole Key Lime fruit soft serve is the flavor of summer.
The Cold Penguin
9100 Bay Ave., North Beach; 410-257-1387
Just next door to Jango’s, the Penguin serves up Hershey brand ice cream, vegan oat-milk options, lactose-free flavors, Italian ice, yogurt, cones, waffle balls, shakes, smoothies, floats and sundaes. There are also treats for your pup, too.
Treat to try: We recommend scooping up a cup of Rum Raisin ice cream and enjoying it on the beach.
Dairy Freeze
8831 Chesapeake Ave., North Beach; 301-855-0585
People in the Twin Beaches of Chesapeake Beach and North Beach know the Dairy Freeze as a great lunch spot with plenty of delicious frozen treats. Locals gravitate toward dipped soft-serve cones.
Treat to try: You can’t go wrong with a classic—try their banana split.