July is National Ice Cream Month. This Grandma can understand that it would fall in the summer in the U.S. After all, I have always wondered how ice cream parlors stay in business in the winter up north.
Being prejudiced, I think that South Florida has the best ice cream parlors. Of course, it is warm year round so we know great ice cream. The Sun Sentinel published its list of South Florida favorites in “Get the scoop on ice cream parlors,” by Barbara Corbellini Duarte. She chose them “based on flavor, creativity and deliciousness.”
Her number one favorite is also this Grandma’s number one favorite. Jaxson’s was runner up for best in the U.S. on the NBC Today Show. I thought it should have won! The portions are huge and so are the lines year round. It is not only a place for ice cream. If you are in South Florida with grandchildren, take them here for a meal. It is geared for children. However, Jaxson’s is also an old fashioned candy store in addition to an old fashioned ice cream parlor. That means grandma will be spending money on candy too. Be sure to return the grandchildren to their grandparents before the sugar high takes over! If you are anywhere in South Florida, it is worth a journey to experience the institution that is Jaxson’s.
Here is what Ms. Duarte had to say about Jaxson’s:
“ Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant: This place is every child’s dream realized. They serve mountains of ice cream with fireworks on top of it (OK, they’re sparkler candles). The kitchen sink costs $12.95 per person, and as the name suggests, the pile of ice cream is served inside a metal kitchen-sink-like dish. They have more than 50 flavors, such as Maple Walnut, Black Cherry, Tropical Coconut and Death By Chocolate. Address: 128 S. Federal Highway, Dania Beach. Contact: 954-923-4445 or JaxsonsIceCream.com”
Number two is also this Grandma’s number two. But Kilwin’s, unlike Jaxson’s, is not native to Florida. This Grandma first experienced Kilwins in Michigan. The smell of Kilwins hits you once you get close to the front door, as the author also notes. Chocolate! Kilwins makes fresh chocolate and fudge treats in addition to homemade ice cream. The portions are normal, unlike Jaxson’s which is known for enormous portions. There is only one Jaxson’s but there are several Kilwin’s.
Here is what Ms. Duarte had to say about Kilwin’s:
“Kilwins: The smell of chocolate will fill your lungs as soon as you walk into this store. Try their ice cream and assorted chocolates, like their Milk Chocolate Sea-Salt Caramels or Dark Chocolate Truffles. Address: 809 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 512 Lake Ave., Lake Worth; 2758 N. University Drive, Coral Springs; 402 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; 1907 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; 117 Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale-by-the-Sea; 5808 Seminole Way, Hollywood. Contact: Kilwins.com”
This Grandma is not familiar with those ice cream parlors in Miami, but here are Ms. Duarte’s recommendations unique to Miami: “Azucar Ice Cream: The owner of this place, Suzy Batlle, was inspired by her Cuban grandmother, who loved ice cream. Influenced by Latin and South Florida’s different cultures, they feature flavors like Cuban Coffee and Oreo, Sugar Cane and Pineapple, plus Pumpkin Flan. Their signature flavor is “Abuela Maria,” made with with guava, vanilla, cream cheese and Maria crackers. Address: 1503 SW 8th St., Miami. Contact: 305-381-0369 or AzucarIceCream.com”
“The Frieze: The Frieze features signature South Florida flavors, like Key lime pie. They have eight different coffee-based ice creams, including Mocha Almond Fudge and Espresso Hazelnut. Address: 1626 N. Michigan Ave., Miami Beach. Contact: 305-538-0207 and TheFrieze.com”
“Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream: Different from regular ice cream, which is frozen before it gets to a store, at Chill-N, they freeze the ice cream on the spot with liquid nitrogen. The result is creamier than traditional ice cream, and lighter than gelato. They even offer Nutella flavor.
Address: 17831 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura; 8271 SW 124th St., Miami. Contact: 786-732-6988 and ChillNIceCream.com”
Of course, Ms. Duarte has other favorites, and if you ask a Floridian, each will have his or her favorite ice cream parlors. So, enjoy National Ice Cream Month every month of the year in sunny Florida. You can find this Grandma at Jaxson’s. Yes, they have the best sugar free flavors you can imagine for those of us Boomer Grandmas who are concerned about that.
Joy,
Mema
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