To adequately prepare folks for National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, July 16, MCM posted a list of five local favorites on Thursday. Web watchers and social media mavens quickly shared other popular county spots for cooling off. So at great personal sacrifice, this MCM producer set out to visit them and report back. Here’s what we found on our two-hour tour of treats.
Sarah’s Handmade
This Bethesda storefront sits in the middle of the Wildwood Shopping Center on Old Georgetown Road. True to its name, all the ice creams are handmade in small batches with natural ingredients. Classics like Vanilla and Chocolate sell best. But Sarah’s displays a wide range of flavors from key lime to java chip. The most popular year-round favorite features some local flair – Bethesda Brownie Brickle tasted great.
York Castle Ice Cream
Located on Rockville’s Hungerford Drive, York Castle Ice Cream serves up exotic fruit flavors like Mango, Guava and Passionfruit. Laid out like an old-fashioned ice cream stand complete with takeout windows, you can enjoy your taste of the tropics at patio tables and chairs provided for patrons. On Sunday July 16 they offer customers a “buy any scoop get another scoop free” deal.
Tropical Ice Cream
Tucked away in a tiny shopping strip in Silver Spring just before the 16th Street turnoff on Georgia Avenue, Tropical Ice Cream lends a Caribbean take on your favorite ice cream treats. Posters in the window promote exotic island flavors like Papaya, Pineapple and Passion Fruit. We missed a chance to go inside when the store was unexpectedly closed.
La Gelatteria
Gelato lovers can visit this shop at Kensington Crossing on Detrick Avenue just off Summit. They serve up a wide variety of flavors and some vegan options as well. We sampled Cranberry Orange.
Carmen’s Italian Ice
For a lighter take on a frozen treat, visit this classically styled stand in Rockville’s Woodley Gardens Shopping Center. The Italian Ices prove lighter and very refreshing. Step up to the takeout window to order some of the most popular flavors – Cherry, Mango, Blue Cotton Candy and Strawberry Lemon. On Sunday, July 16, Carmen’s celebrates National Ice Cream Day with $4 small custard.
