What’s one thing that can make holding onto these last days of summer a bit easier? We’re suggesting a cold scoop of ice cream. And of course, today’s ice cream means so much more than plain old vanilla. Or even just plain old ice cream. Whether you’re on the hunt for new flavors or loyal to classic favorites, these Charlotte hot spots have something for everyone:
Pike’s Old Fashioned Soda Shop
1930 Camden Rd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Longing for the good old days when your biggest worry was choosing a milkshake flavor? This old-school soda shop is a must try. While the atmosphere may be old-fashioned (they have a milkshake maker dating back to 1930!), this Charlotte hot spot consistently gains big time attention, whether as the setting for the movie Shallow Hal, on the lists of NC’s best ice cream parlors or from raving Charlotteans. At Pike’s you can count on finding milkshakes made with the freshest ingredients and seasonal fruits like peaches and strawberries in the summer, or get a distinctly North Carolina taste with an add-in like Cheerwine. Everyone in the family will love choosing from their huge selection of classic and innovative malts, shakes, sundaes and splits.
Va Da Vie
4203 Park Rd Charlotte, NC 28209
Nestled into Park Road Shopping Center is a spot where you can get authentic gelato made the Italian way. Gelato is typically thought to have more flavor than traditional ice cream, and at Va Da Vie there’s no shortage of flavor. And from Lemon Ricotta to Cannoli, you can feel good about your gelato treat as the folks here use no extracts or artificial flavorings and colorings. Just pure, clean, jam-packed flavor. All milk and cream comes from a small, family owned North Carolina dairy farm, and ingredients can even be found on their website. Can’t make a decision? Don’t worry, you can sample a few before making the major commitment.
Elizabeth Creamery
1601 Elizabeth Ave.
Tucked in between some of Charlotte’s favorite fine dining restaurants and along the new trolley line is the family run Elizabeth Creamery. This neighborhood ice cream shop was welcomed back with open arms earlier this year and is in full swing for summer. The husband and wife duo makes each flavor and waffle cone with natural, fresh ingredients. Grab a classic flavor or try something different like Green Tea or Ginger. In addition to old-fashioned scoops, you can try a new or classic flavor as a shake or sundae.
Cabarrus Creamery
21 Union Street S. Concord, NC 28025
In Concord, don’t miss Cabarrus Creamery, which Our State agreed was one of the top 25 picks in NC. Try an ice cream float, a sundae or something recently posted on their Facebook page: their mint chocolate chip ice cream and double chocolate cookie sandwich (below). On the hunt for a summer treat that fits you? Cabarrus Creamery has something for you, from nondairy and low fat, protein smoothies to no sugar added options. They even have “pupcicles” for your four-legged friends!
Sticks and Cones Ice Cream Truck
Traveling the QC
Remember when you used to wait for the ice cream truck to turn down your street, waiting for its tune to fill the summer air? Sticks and Stones is bringing it all back with their old-fashioned ice cream on wheels. Enjoy soft serve, floats, cones, popsicles and sundaes wherever they’re parked that day. Follow them on Twitter to keep up with where they’ll be next.
Mr K’s Soft Ice Cream
2107 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
This family-run, no frills spot on South Boulevard is serving up soft serve worthy of an after dinner family outing. Operating in the same location as the day it opened in 1967, this mom and pop shop that has expanded its menu to burgers and hot dogs originally opened as an ice cream stand and despite the additions, has stayed true to its roots. The dessert menu is never-ending, and has everything from a simple ice cream sandwich to a “frostbite”, a blend of soft serve and Italian ice. Other favorites are their milkshakes in flavors like butterscotch, peanut butter and dark chocolate and hand-dipped banana splits. Enjoy your treats inside for a trip down Panther’s memory lane with memorabilia lining every wall.
Carolina Cones
20801 N. Main St., Cornelius
Over the past thirty years, the family behind Carolina Cones has been churning out new flavors to keep Cornelius families coming back for more. The variety of flavors may make your choice difficult, but the friendly faces behind the counter are more than wiling to help. Try their two most recent flavor additions: Vanilla Chunky Fudge and Carmel Chocolate Nut.
Waxhaw Creamery
201 W South Main St, Waxhaw, North Carolina 28173
This Waxhaw family-run ice cream shop has been a favorite for years (and also got a mention from Our State). Visitors can enjoy homemade ice cream and italian ices made in store every day. Want to mix it up? Waxhaw Creamery also serves up sundaes, shakes, cups and cones. As for flavors, there is always something new and fresh with their seasonal flavor options. This summer stop in and try their peach ice cream made with real peaches and raspberry lemonade, lemon ice cream with raspberry purée.
Ninety’s Sandwiches & Ice Cream
9009 J M Keynes Dr # 4, Charlotte, NC 28262
This quaint spot in University known for it’s daily lunch specials and charming atmosphere keeps diners for the whole meal with their hand scooped ice cream selection. Choose from one of their 16 homemade flavors or really indulge with a bang split (pictured below). If you can control your cravings, follow them on Instagram (@ninetysicecream) for the latest flavors and menu items.
Zack’s Hamburgers
4009 South Blvd., Charlotte
There’s a reason why old-fashioned never really goes out of style, and Zack’s is living proof. Serving up no-fuss hamburgers and sides, Zack’s made sure no one forgot about dessert. Grab a soft serve vanilla cone or one of their classic flavor shakes, which are so thick and creamy they can be a meal in itselves (we promise we won’t tell).
Take this as your official invitation, as if you needed one, to get out there and enjoy the last few days of summer with some ice cream.
