Ice Cream is My Dream

I truly CANNOT pass up ice cream. It’s true. I am not ashamed of this fact and flaunt my ice cream addiction proudly. Boise is loaded with great ice cream shops and since I’m an expert (term used loosely), I thought I would share my top five places to eat this sweet treat.

Fanci-Freez

The iconic ice cream experience has been going strong in this local Boise landmark since 1947. That is over 50 years of serving ice cream goodies that have created memories for families for generations! Along with their terrific menu of burgers, fries, and everything American, the ice cream goodies are to die for! I am a pistachio ice cream aficionado but will occasionally try different flavors and their huckleberry shake reminds me of hot summer days on Priest Lake in Northern Idaho. They also feature a menu item called the Boston shake which is a sundae on top of a shake. By the way, did you know in the late 1890’s soda jerks actually made sundaes on Sundays due to church leaders’ criticism for serving “sinful” sodas on Sunday? They started serving ice cream and syrups without soda water and called it a “sundae.” Anyway, check out Fanci-Freez next time you have a craving for ice cream…..the experience is worth the calories.

The Scoops at Sweet Tea Living

Where else can you shop for all things vintage and then treat yourself to ice cream later? Located in a small building behind the Sweet Tea Living store, you can walk up and order your treat right there. You will often see people gathered around visiting and savoring their favorite ice cream flavor. Sweet Tea Living is a unique store that was started in 2017 in downtown Eagle. Every week the store changes the displays giving customers a new experience each time they visit. I never visited this store without buying something and my latest obsession has been their extensive milk glass inventory. After getting my retail fix I will reward myself with an ice cream cone for all my hard work. Mocha Almond Fudge is my favorite flavor at this quaint, little hideaway in Eagle. The employees are delightful and the ice cream is sweet.

Delsa’s Ice Cream

You cannot visit Boise without stopping by Delsa’s Ice Cream Parlour. Originally a farmhouse, built in 1922 it was owned by Owen & Delsa Walton. Mrs. Walton made ice cream for all the neighborhood kids, and in 1961, due to the popularity of her ice cream, the Walton's decided to add another building and open an official ice cream store. Customers back then could enjoy an ice cream cone on the patio while watching Walton's cows mosey around their pasture. The cows are no more but the ice cream has persisted and summer doesn’t officially start in the Treasure Valley until this ice cream shop opens for business. Mrs. Walton passed away in the late 1990s but the tradition lives on. Voted Treasure Valley’s Best Ice Cream for several years, you cannot go wrong with Delsa’s. Speaking of cows, did you know it takes 5.8 pounds of milk to make one gallon of ice cream? ‍

The STIHL (The Sweetest Things in Life)

If you are an adventurous soul, The Stihl needs to be your next stop. Custom crafted ice cream including alcohol-infused treats and vegan choices, ice cream has been taken to a whole new level. What I like most about this place is they use locally sourced ingredients and nothing artificial……that’s good, right? They are known for pairing beer and wine with ice cream. I haven’t quite jumped on this bandwagon yet but with over one thousand 5 star reviews this may be a must-try. I recently tasted the Afternoon Recess summer flavor, a Nutella, and a pretzel explosion of flavor. I asked the staff what was their most popular flavor and they all said Idaho Wilderness, a mixture of lavender-infused creamy goodness with berries. Nothing boring about this place!

Goody’s Soda Fountain

I cannot visit the historical Hyde Park District without popping into Goody’s. The quaint cottage gives you such a nostalgic feel and the smell of sweetness hits you right when you enter the door. Handmade chocolates and candies are a Boise tradition satisfying everyone’s sweet tooth. I always order the banana split because it just feels right in the setting. They have outdoor seating on the patio where you can people watch, shop for local goodies or relax after visiting Camel’s Back Park. I always buy homemade turtle candies for my dad and one of the reasons I am his favorite child. The incredible ambiance and the glorious ice cream is a summertime tradition for me.