Fight the FOMO with our guide to the Great Milwaukee Summer. We've got the hottest places to eat, drink, hang out, and all the things you love to do. Brought to you by Geis Garage Doors and UPAF (United Performing Arts Fund)!
Growing up, a trip to 31 Flavors was about as good as life got. My sister and I would spend as much time as our parents would allow deciding which flavor to pick – bubblegum? Daiquiri ice? Peanut butter 'n' chocolate? We often picked a "clown cone," a pre-scooped cone decorated with frosting meant to look like clown makeup.
As a teen, Kopp's was the spot for me and my friends, and I converted to custard faster than you can say "flavor of the day." And to this day, four out of five times, I will pick Kopp's or Leon's over an ice cream shop.
But when the desire for ice cream – even soft serve from a machine – bubbles up, there's nothing else that can replace the craving. Thus, I have some favorite spots to share.
What is the difference between custard and ice cream?
The primary difference between ice cream and frozen custard is the amount of egg yolks. To be qualified as frozen custard, the mixture must contain at least 1.4 percent egg yolks. Also, ice cream is churned faster, bringing more air into the ingredients, creating a lighter, fluffier texture.
Here are 5 ice cream parlors in Milwaukee worth visiting:
Babe’s Ice Cream & Dessert
2264 S Kinnickinnic Ave, (414) 482-4000
babesicecream.com
Babe’s is a family-owned and operated ice cream shop that opened in 2005. The shop offers at least 32 different flavors, often many more. Diet choices/restrictions are easily accommodated at Babe's, as much of the ice cream is kosher, dairy-free and soy-free. Babe's also offers a variety of vegan desserts like brownies, cookies, pies and more.
Ben & Jerry’s
203 N. Broadway, (414) 758-8630
benjerry.com/milwaukee-thirdward
The first and only Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Shop opened last summer in the Third Ward. The beloved pints we bought for years at the grocery store – Cherry Garcia, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chunky Monkey, Half Baked – are now delightfully available on cones or in cups. Dairy and non-dairy options are available.
La Michoacana Premium
1001 W. Historic Mitchell St. (414) 252-0717
lamichoacanapremiumwi.top/icecream
Milwaukee is home to many Mexican ice cream shops, but this new, cheerful shop on the near South Side has become a favorite. La Michoacana features many flavors, including all the classics, along with fun flavors like strawberry milk, Tequila, bubble gum, rice pudding and guava.
Purple Door Scoop Shops
205 S. 2nd St., (414) 988-2521
6300 W Mequon Road, (262) 643-4073
Purple Door is a family-owned business with two shops. The ice cream is also available in most local grocery stores. The all-natural ice cream comes in classic and on-trend flavors, including salted caramel, chocolate chip banana bread, Absinthe, balsamic vinegar, beer and pretzels, caramel peanut parfait, coconut and cardamom, and many more.
Tastee Twist
2378 N. Teutonia Ave., (414) 263-3585
facebook.com/TasteeTwist
For old-school soft-serve nostalgia on a cone, Tastee Twist is the spot. The adorable ice cream stand churns out tons of frozen treats all summer, including a popular Sundays-only lemon ice cream special.
Custard is a signature Wisconsin iced treat, but sometimes, nothing hits like good ol’ ice cream.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
