The other day I was standing in line at an ice cream truck. There were about five people in front of me. With each person that was handed a cone topped with a swirl of soft-serve ice cream so large it looked like it would topple over, I felt the giddy excitement of a child on summer break. Because let’s be honest – ice cream is a topic that excites us all, no matter what age.
Truth be told, I’m not usually a cone girl. The ice cream just ends up melting onto my hands because I don’t eat it fast enough. And unlike a love of ice cream, sticky hands are not cute after childhood. But there was something about the late afternoon sun beating down, the line of people on the suburban street and the smile on each face as a cone was handed out of the truck window that just made me think … Sweet summertime is here again!
Following that experience, I imagined all my summer ice cream treats to come. So, I thought I would share a couple of spots along the South Shore for ice cream guaranteed to cool you down and make you smile.
Photo courtesy of Flo’s website.
(1) Flo’s Luncheonette (Blue Point): This is hands down my favorite spot for ice cream in the summer! I’d never diss a Carvel sundae, but I want my summer ice cream from a local spot. This beachside shack has a full menu of food and drinks, but the reason I’m listing it as number one for ice cream is because Flo’s has a cute, shuttered, walk-up ice cream window. The flavors change throughout the summer and are colorfully written out on a chalkboard. The nostalgia of childhood summer is alive and well when I stop at Flo’s.
Photo courtesy of Tina’s Italian Ices Instagram (@tinasicesandacaibowls)
(2) Tina’s Italian Ice (Patchogue): If you’ve never been here, I’m with you! But a trip to this spot has officially been added to my summer bucket list. I’ve only ever heard great things about this local shop and the only reason I haven’t been yet is that I’m not a fan of ices, but I recently learned that they also have ice cream. I can’t wait to visit because, like Flo’s, the appearance of Tina’s just screams summer. The walk-up ice cream shop is something I feel I would see along Main Street USA in Disney World. I’m sure the actual ice cream will be just as satisfying. Feel free to comment flavor suggestions and keep your eye out for an update on my first visit.
“Mister Softee Ice Cream Truck” by Ezra.Wolfe is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
(3) Mister Softee/Ice Cream Truck: Honestly, what more do I need to say than recreating that scene from the ice cream truck the other day? It’s like when people say things just taste better when someone else makes it for you … ice cream is just better when you get it from a truck in the hot summer sun. Luckily for us, there is an ice cream man in every town across the South Shore.
