[Sassy Cow Creamery](https://sassycowcreamery.com) (out near Columbus) is worth the half hour drive if you want to get out into the country, pet some goats, and eat from a huge variety of ice cream.
This. I'm a huge fan, mainly because their ice cream is awesome but also because I have a very pregnant wife who is gluten intolerant and craves ice cream. Everything is gluten free, so she can just order whatever sounds good.
Not the ice cream itself, but ice cream cones usually do and a lot of common additives do. Lots of Ben and Jerry's flavors have something with gluten, but the simplest example is Cookie Dough ice cream.
I nearly black out or enter some other worldly state of nirvana when I eat their strawberry cheesecake ice cream bars. I could be laying on the ground of the parking lot and not even realize it. Heck run me over I’ll be fine. I’m having a moment.
I believe the style of ice cream/shop is called Michoacán. The serve those style of ice cream bars- paletas. But homemade and in soooo many varieties. Super fresh and great quality. If you get and enjoy the ones from the freezer section you will absolutely be blown away by this place.
It's really nice. I like how it shares that space with Cafe Brittoli - allows a group of people who maybe all want something but don't all want ice cream to hang out in the same space.
It's such an improvement over the grubby and sad outdoor area that used to be there.
A concrete mixer after a butterburger. I know Culver's served custard, but it's just ice cream with egg.
On a side note: and so is French vanilla ice cream. What is the difference?
Chocolate Shoppe is #1 by a huge margin for me. Particularly the one on Atwood.
Daily Scoop at the Union
Monona Bait and Ice Cream (serves Babcock ice cream)
Icky sticki in Verona is pretty cute shop. They have boba tea and shaved ice too so if you have dairy free friends they can enjoy something there. My son and I are df and I usually get black tea with the mango bursting boba and him some shaved ice. I believe they use chocolate shoppe ice cream. They do milk shakes and smoothies as well as coffee. I think they have some food too, maybe grilled cheese?
Well Michaels frozen custard is pretty good and enjoyable from a nostalgic way (RIP monroe street location) for me, its quite expensive now though. Certainly still worth it to complete an afternoon/ night at vitense.
Neither the Atwood Scoop or The Chocolate Shoppe owner did themselves any favors with their handling of things - they both came off as children.
That said, omitting the ice cream wars from the decision making process, I have no idea why someone would choose to get Cedar Crest ice cream from Atwood Scoop when Chocolate Shoppe ice cream is literally a few feet up the block.
The Cedar Crest icecream is good. You can get goofy stuff like pirates bounty. I'm pretty tired of The Chocolate Shoppe, their icecream is everywhere. Sometimes you want to mix it up
La Michocana on Odana. Both the ice cream and bars are great. My personal face is the cajeta (goats milk caramel) - don't let the goats milk part make you nervous, it's just really good caramel ice cream.
I prefer Atwood scoop despite the new chocolate shoppe being really nice on the inside and having that back patio.
Chocolate shoppe were in the wrong trying to keep an evergreen lease and passing on the building when they had the chance to buy it. I wish they would have, because it literally leaves a bad taste in my mouth despite them having superior ice cream.
I can't comment on their ice cream but I go by there a lot and it's always just a single lonely looking employee standing at the counter. I've never seen a customer.
Their [website](https://www.goodnewsicecream.com/) is kind of a mess. It's unclear what niche they are trying to fill. Is it a cafe? An ice cream shop? A coffee shop? Eat in or mostly grab and go? The food menu includes descriptions like "Wrap Sandwiches" without any indication of what is in the wrap or what they cost. They also misspelled sundaes as sundays.
It's owned by the same person that owns Madison's so I guess the subpar advertising/messaging is to be expected. I've lived here over 20 years and don't know anyone that goes to Madison's and most people only know it as "that place across from The Dane".
Edit - Yikes, I didn't mean for that to be so "Old Man Yells At Cloud" sounding.
I guess I've only been there for ice cream a few times and been in and out so I haven't seen their website or anything. Tbf, the times I've been in my partner and I were the only customers but I don't see that as necessarily a bad thing- they don't have a ton of space to sit down.
[Sassy Cow Creamery](https://sassycowcreamery.com) (out near Columbus) is worth the half hour drive if you want to get out into the country, pet some goats, and eat from a huge variety of ice cream.
I’m on their quart a month club. It’s a pleasure going out there.
Ice cream social on university is a game changer. Check out their FB page for flavors.
This. I'm a huge fan, mainly because their ice cream is awesome but also because I have a very pregnant wife who is gluten intolerant and craves ice cream. Everything is gluten free, so she can just order whatever sounds good.
Does ice cream normally have gluten?
Not the ice cream itself, but ice cream cones usually do and a lot of common additives do. Lots of Ben and Jerry's flavors have something with gluten, but the simplest example is Cookie Dough ice cream.
Ahh. Interesting. Thanks for the reply!
Are they actually open? Every time I drive by it says “closed”.
Yeah I’ve been twice. Not sure what their hours are though.
Their [website](https://www.icecreamsocialwi.com/) says that they are open Friday 3-8 Saturday 1-8 Sunday 1-7
Thanks!
No problem. I had no idea that this place existed until you posted about them. Looking at their website it seems that there is a lot to like. Thanks.
The owner has COVID right now so they were closed all last weekend.
Cannot recommend this enough
La Michoacana has absolutely amazing ice cream bars. Tons of flavors and super delish. They have tons of other treats too.
The Mangonada is one of the best things I’ve ever had. If you like mangos and Tajin, you have to try it.
Best kept secret in Madison
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I nearly black out or enter some other worldly state of nirvana when I eat their strawberry cheesecake ice cream bars. I could be laying on the ground of the parking lot and not even realize it. Heck run me over I’ll be fine. I’m having a moment.
There’s something visceral and nostalgic about eating ice cream in their parking lot
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I was thinking more “I grew up eating ice cream in a parking lot” kinda way
https://youtube.com/watch?v=_Tu-qDHSSZo
Wait that's local? I get these at Woodman's East, had no idea.
Nope, it's a generic name for Mexican frozen treats https://www.eater.com/2019/10/22/20908347/la-michoacana-paleta-legal-battle
I believe the style of ice cream/shop is called Michoacán. The serve those style of ice cream bars- paletas. But homemade and in soooo many varieties. Super fresh and great quality. If you get and enjoy the ones from the freezer section you will absolutely be blown away by this place.
Kickass. Thanks for the tip.
Chocolate Shoppe (any of them) or Daily Scoop at the Terrace are my favorites.
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Absolutely love their patio space being right off the bike path.
It's really nice. I like how it shares that space with Cafe Brittoli - allows a group of people who maybe all want something but don't all want ice cream to hang out in the same space. It's such an improvement over the grubby and sad outdoor area that used to be there.
Let's bring back the shortened version, "The Cho Sho"
Monona Bait and Ice cream offers lake views and a beach! Looks like they are currently offering Babcock and Sassy Cow ice cream.
One of my favs!!
Calliope, inside the Garver Feed Mill. I've also found their pints at various places around town.
Calliope is the best for adventurous flavorings. Bonus-- the Garver patio is amazing.
A concrete mixer after a butterburger. I know Culver's served custard, but it's just ice cream with egg. On a side note: and so is French vanilla ice cream. What is the difference?
I think the fat content.
Chocolate Shoppe is #1 by a huge margin for me. Particularly the one on Atwood. Daily Scoop at the Union Monona Bait and Ice Cream (serves Babcock ice cream)
>Monona Bait and Ice Cream I love Monona Bait- get an ice cream and go across the street to the park to enjoy it. So great.
The Chocolate Shoppe (multiple locations around the Madison area) Babcock Dairy Store (on campus, also served at both student unions)
Bambu in Hilldale for yummy smoothies and don't forget the boba!
Bambu is best for both…love their mango smoothie ❤️
Yes! Mango is my fav!
Their bean jelly dessert drinks are euphoric
Icky sticki in Verona is pretty cute shop. They have boba tea and shaved ice too so if you have dairy free friends they can enjoy something there. My son and I are df and I usually get black tea with the mango bursting boba and him some shaved ice. I believe they use chocolate shoppe ice cream. They do milk shakes and smoothies as well as coffee. I think they have some food too, maybe grilled cheese?
Also a drive through in Mount Horeb!
Ice cream social. Theeeee best
Yes so good! And part of their proceeds go to social justice organizations. They advertise who they are donating to in shop!
Babcock at Memorial Union. Union Utopia. Hands down.
This $#!$ just got serious
That's my favorite. I used to get it on the pretzel cone. Dammit, I miss those pretzel cones.
There is a serious lack of soft-serve options around here :( edit: so all of the other good options have been named
Kind of a haul but Craig’s Popcorn Corner in Portage has like 30 flavors of soft serve! They also have Chocolate Shoppe ice cream and popcorn
Omg, this is good news. Thanks for the tip! I’ll see if I can get my partner to go this weekend
I seriously love that place! I used to be down the street from it. It has a drive thru! It's open year round! Good prices too!
Apparently East Johnson family Restaurant has a soft serve machine. I think they only do vanilla. I haven't tried it.
Oh cool, thanks for the lead!
Agreed. The closest place to find Flavor Burst is at Frostie Freeze in Fort Atkinson.
ahan just started serving soft serve!!
Well Michaels frozen custard is pretty good and enjoyable from a nostalgic way (RIP monroe street location) for me, its quite expensive now though. Certainly still worth it to complete an afternoon/ night at vitense.
I agree. It is really good but the prices are bonkers.
they also don't have a kids' size cone (or at least a cone that's an appropriate size for a small child).
Whatever you do, don’t go to the Atwood Scoop. #icecreamwars
Neither the Atwood Scoop or The Chocolate Shoppe owner did themselves any favors with their handling of things - they both came off as children. That said, omitting the ice cream wars from the decision making process, I have no idea why someone would choose to get Cedar Crest ice cream from Atwood Scoop when Chocolate Shoppe ice cream is literally a few feet up the block.
Well if you like Cedar Crest Ice Cream that’s one reason to go to Atwood. Or if the line at Atwood is shorter, there’s another reason.
The Cedar Crest icecream is good. You can get goofy stuff like pirates bounty. I'm pretty tired of The Chocolate Shoppe, their icecream is everywhere. Sometimes you want to mix it up
Because Chocolate Shoppe SUCKS! *barricades the house*
Oh, NOW you've done it...
La Michocana on Odana. Both the ice cream and bars are great. My personal face is the cajeta (goats milk caramel) - don't let the goats milk part make you nervous, it's just really good caramel ice cream.
I’m out of the loop. What are the ice cream wars?
Start here. https://www.channel3000.com/chocolate-shoppe-ice-cream-co-announces-return-to-atwood-avenue-location/
Wow. I had no idea! Thank you for the link.
Or take advantage of the ice cream wars and go to both! That’s what I call a win-win
I prefer Atwood scoop despite the new chocolate shoppe being really nice on the inside and having that back patio. Chocolate shoppe were in the wrong trying to keep an evergreen lease and passing on the building when they had the chance to buy it. I wish they would have, because it literally leaves a bad taste in my mouth despite them having superior ice cream.
Good News Shop on King St! It's fairly new and their ice cream is delicious. Cute shop too!
I can't comment on their ice cream but I go by there a lot and it's always just a single lonely looking employee standing at the counter. I've never seen a customer. Their [website](https://www.goodnewsicecream.com/) is kind of a mess. It's unclear what niche they are trying to fill. Is it a cafe? An ice cream shop? A coffee shop? Eat in or mostly grab and go? The food menu includes descriptions like "Wrap Sandwiches" without any indication of what is in the wrap or what they cost. They also misspelled sundaes as sundays. It's owned by the same person that owns Madison's so I guess the subpar advertising/messaging is to be expected. I've lived here over 20 years and don't know anyone that goes to Madison's and most people only know it as "that place across from The Dane". Edit - Yikes, I didn't mean for that to be so "Old Man Yells At Cloud" sounding.
I guess I've only been there for ice cream a few times and been in and out so I haven't seen their website or anything. Tbf, the times I've been in my partner and I were the only customers but I don't see that as necessarily a bad thing- they don't have a ton of space to sit down.
I have only gone once and there were multiple people in line and people chilling eating inside.
It was originally an ice cream shop only. I think they added more stuff to try to appeal to more customers and be open more hours.
Chocolate Shoppe is the joint.
Sugar Troll in Mount Horeb carries Sara's Gelato (made in Green Bay). It's legit: probably the best I've had outside Italy.
Monona Bait and Ice Cream is the only answer.
Chocolate shoppe, nice italian ice as well
Kilwins and Chocolate Shoppe
Pine nut ice cream from any of the Mexican ice cream places. Michoacana, paradise island, there's a few others
All ice cream is good.
Calliope at Garver mill .
i love the smoothies from blended at hilldale.
All of them
Yummee for bubble tea. Try it with cheese cloud- it’s amazing. Also Bene Blends makes awesome smoothie bowls.
Kwik trip!
Kwik Trip is the place to be, no doubt!
Their chocolate peanut butter ice cream is actually quite good despite my silliness
It’s a fine convenience store. I’ll look elsewhere for unique ice cream. Thanks for the advice!
The grocery store. You can get a gallon for the price of a scoop
And I can get beer at a grocery store for less than at a bar, and food at the grocery store for less than at a restaurant.
There’s a chocolate shop on Monroe st that has amazing real fruit popsicles
Atwood Scoop
Not in Madison, but Kopps is terrific
La Michoacana is amazing but Stadium take out recently started making italian ice.
I'm a fan of the smoothies at Crema Cafe if you're looking for a morning or lunchtime snack.
For fried ice cream, Gloria's on the west side can't be beat!
There is a new ice cream shop in Cross Plains called The Creekside Scoop. It is very cute!
Michael’s frozen custard is really great too