Well Fed On the Town

Ooh, now this is a toughie.

I’ve always loved ice cream. I was one of those kids who went to the local pool because I knew the Good Humor man stopped there every day. Odd, I know, but if you’d asked me then what kind of sandwich was my favorite, I would have said “ICE CREAM!” As I’ve aged, my tastes have changed a wee bit. Flavor more often wins out over quantity and texture (or mouth feel–whatever you want to call it) rules the tastebuds. Simplicity is more delicious than chunks and ribbons.

That is why I’d have to say my favorite frozen treat is Dickey’s Frozen Custard. You can have any flavor you want at Dickey’s, as long as it’s vanilla, chocolate or a combination of the two. And you can choose between the full fat and low fat versions. Strangely, being limited in this way isn’t the least bit discouraging- when the urge for something cold and sweet hits, I don’t want to peruse a menu the length of my arm, or taste everything in site. I want something right away.

They also have a plethora of toppings- crushed chocolate wafers, walnuts served wet or dry, strawberry sauce, hot fudge, M&M’s and all sorts of other treats- to satisfy that craving for crunch or extra sweetness.

Whatever you put on top will be good, but the real star is the frozen custard. Simply put, this is soft serve for grown-ups. The chocolate, though not particularly rich in color, makes up for its lackluster appearance with a rich flavor and a creamy texture. The vanilla is subtle and slightly eggy–more like sweet cream the way Thomas Sweet in Georgetown makes it. There’s no tongue-coating fat, even in the full fat version, just pure creamy goodness.

It’s not as cheap as the Good Humor man, but it’s a lot more satisfying an indulgence.