By AMELIA MCCARTHY
& JILLIAN CROCETTA
[email protected]
Sunshine has finally replaced a prolonged season of grey skies in the Capital District. Because it is fairly certain that there isn’t another snowstorm looming on the horizon, we can finally commence our reacclimation to warm weather, Yes, this means we can once again wear white, reassemble our patio furniture, barbecue our favorite foods, and perhaps most importantly, eat ice cream.
After all, what’s a good barbecue dinner without the promise of ice cream for dessert?
So, where to, Capital District? Below, we’ve comprised a list of our Top 5 favorite ice cream joints…
Jim’s Tastee Freez: Located on 58 Delaware Ave., Jim’s Tastee Freez is Delmar’s staple takeout ice cream joint. Though aesthetically small, Tastee Freez certainly has made a grand reputation: it is a rarity to find yourself at the front of the line upon arrival. Luckily, its efficient and friendly staff helps you get your ice cream order with record timing. The menu is extensive, ranging from hard and soft ice cream to milkshakes, sundaes, floats, tornadoes, and Dole whips (a vegan option). And if your sweet tooth isn’t quite aching, Tastee Freez’s menu also includes burgers, chili dogs, sandwiches, and french fries.
Jericho’s Twist Ice Cream Shoppe: Though you might not have enough time to catch a double feature at the Jericho Drive-in, its Twist Ice Cream Shoppe can surely satisfy any whimsical ice-cream craving. Located at 19 Jericho Road in Glenmont, Twist has a great atmosphere. The huge drive-in screen is visible from the vast sitting area, which compliments the music playing and lamps. Aside from the ambiance, Jericho’s menu is all the more reason to stay, with soft ice cream and hard ice cream on homemade, hand-dipped waffle cones, and cake cones, along with shakes, floats, malts, “Crunchi Creme,” “Razzles,” sundaes, italian ices, frozen yogurt, sugar-free ice cream, and homemade ice cream sandwiches.
Guptills Coney Express Ice Cream: Guptill’s Coney Express Ice Cream of 1085 New Loudon Road, Cohoes has been a staple of the community since 1951. The ice cream shop, located right next to the Roller Skating Area, is an open venue with plenty of windows for undeniably quick service, and a spacious patio, complete with outdoor seating. The shop has a cash-only policy, but there are ATM’s available if you find yourself in a bind. Though the service and the environment are excellent, Guptill’s real trademark is its remarkable list of flavors: 80 in total, with 48 flavors of hard ice cream, and 32 of soft. Additionally, the menu carries many other delicacies: shakes, ice cream sodas, flurries, sundaes, brownie sundaes, strawberry shortcake sundaes, banana splits, chocolate chip cookie vanilla ice cream sandwiches, and slushies.
Kurver Kreme: Founded in 1952, Kurver Kreme provides customers with ice cream, sherbet, and yogurt, in forms like specialty sundaes, shakes and flurries, packed to go ice cream, and cakes and pies. They also have hot dogs, nachos, and slushies. Located at 1349 Central Ave. in Albany, Kurver Kreme has an abundance of outside seating to enjoy the flavor of the week.
Snowman: Started by the Murphy Family in the 1950s, this community “landmark” showers its customers with ice cream, yogurts and sherbets, as well as specialty sundaes, ice cream pies, brownie royals, malts, banana splits, and flurries. On any day you can go to 531 5th Ave. in Troy to enjoy a generous portion of over 30 flavors delivered by a friendly staff. You can also spread the flavor with gift cards or Mobile catering.
Well, hopefully this article hasn’t jinxed upstate New York (if there’s one region that can de-mythify a July snowstorm, it would be ours). Nevertheless, it is officially ice cream season, no matter the weather! Check out these places; you’re guaranteed a blissful, savory experience. At least, that’s what we’ve concluded in our laborious research.