It’s been hot out lately. Can we all agree on that? OK. Good. So no more segue is needed to introduce this week’s "5 Great" column, in which I run through some of the region’s top picks for ice cream (and gelato). Some are familiar names; some may not be. But whichever of these you might wind up making your pilgrimage to this summer, you can be assured that you’re in for a cool spell of deliciously creamy goodness.
As always, here they are, in no particular order:
Coolato Gelato
This Gay Street eatery has been around for almost a decade, serving up authentic, Italian-style gelato that’s made fresh onsite. The Grub Spouse and I dropped in for a dinner not long after they opened back in aught-nine, when we happily licked our way through cups of chocolate-peanut butter, Almond Joy and tiramisu. We have returned in the years since to dip our tiny gelato spoons into more flavors like cappuccino crunch, lemon basil, birthday cake and orange cream. By the way, the difference between gelato and ice cream is that the former is made with milk, which makes it lighter on calories without sacrificing richness. It’s also fun to browse the containers of colorful Play-Doh-looking flavors in the display case, plus Coolato Gelato makes other European-style desserts in house daily.
Tic-Toc Ice Cream Parlor
You have to venture out Loudon way to indulge in this small-town creamery’s fare, but The Spouse and I found it to be worth the trip several years back. The shop has been cited as a Southern Living favorite in years past, thanks to its wide selection of homemade ice cream treats — from cones and sundaes to banana splits and shakes. With the younger Grub Sprout in tow, we enjoyed a two-scoop sundae, a three-scoop sampler and a chocolate shake, touching on flavors that ranged from Chattanooga chocolate and George Washington cherry to plantation praline and mint chocolate chip. Guests also enjoy the quaint, old-school parlor atmosphere.
The Phoenix Pharmacy and Fountain
Meanwhile, back in downtown Knoxville, Phoenix Pharmacy is holding down duty as Gay Street’s best option for time travel, as guests are transported to a day when the local pharmacy was one’s best bet for scoring an ice cream treat. The place really looks the part, from its long counter with accompanying stools to the white-clad soda jerks whipping up their sweet concoctions. The menu offers everything from old-fashioned sodas and floats to specialty sundaes. The Spouse and I upped our glucose levels with the Streetcar – a scoop of vanilla topped with hot fudge, fresh whipped cream and nuts – while I slurped my way through a chocolate shake. The prices are relatively steep, but the ice cream is legit, and the atmosphere can’t be beat.
Cruze Farm Ice Cream House
In recent years, this local dairy operation has gained a following for its ice cream. For a while, the treats were being sold in pop-up locations around town, including a seasonal stint on Union Avenue the summer that The Spouse and I first tried it. More recently, we dropped by for dinner at their East Knox County base of operations, where we dined at their Pizza Barn, then walked next door for dessert at the Ice Cream House. It is, in fact, set up in an old farmhouse, with a walk-up counter for ice cream in the rear and seating inside. The flavors vary daily, ultimately finding their way into cones, cups, shakes, floats, Blizzard-style churns and the like. Note, however, that the ice cream is sold in soft-serve form, with flavors including sweet cream chocolate, lavender honey, coffee and strawberry sorbet. You can top your cone or cup with peanut butter cups, cookies, caramel or toffee.
Bruster’s Ice Cream
Typically, I eschew franchise eateries in this column, in deference to purely local and regional endeavors. But I’m making an exception in this case, because I really, really like Bruster’s ice cream. In fact, The Spouse and I make it a regular stop (unfortunately for our waistlines) year ‘round, so I can attest to its irresistible attraction. The ice cream is made fresh daily at each location, and the flavors — which can include banana cream pie, chocolate raspberry truffle, birthday cake and mocha almond fudge (each location has a fixed and rotating list of flavors) — taste uncannily like their names. And each scoop is a symphony of richness and creaminess, whether you’re relishing a cup, cone, sundae, blast or shake. They also make frozen yogurt, sherbets and sorbets for those looking to go a little easier on the calorie count.
Honorable mentions: The Original Freezo, Culver’s, Chadwick’s Churn
