I Scream, You Scream… Let’s All Scream for KC Ice Cream!
Kansas City is known for its bountiful barbeque offerings, but the city is home to many yummy and unique ice cream options, too. And since it’s summer – the perfect time for Kansas City families to enjoy a cold treat to cool off – here are the five of the best KC ice cream shops, according to our and Foursquare’s ice cream aficionados:
Glacé Artisan Ice Cream
This Kansas City establishment was founded by chocolatier and pastry chef Christopher Elbow, so you know it’s delicious! But don’t just take our word for it, Glacé was voted the Best Ice Cream in Missouri by PureWow. With creative flavors like rosewater vanilla, lavender honey, banana caramel, goat cheese and cherries, and, of course, Christopher Elbow dark chocolate, you’re sure to find something scrumptious to tell your friends about.
Betty Rae’s Ice Cream
Creative, rotating flavors and homemade waffle cones … need we say more? TripAdvisor selected Betty Rae’s as one of the top “Ice Cream Shops Worth Traveling For” in 2017. This ice cream shop features 24 house-made flavors and is fun for kids and adults. There are almost too many choices, including sundaes, ice cream sandwiches, floats and shakes – and don’t forget to bring your ID in case you want to try the adult “boozey” floats and shakes, including the KC Bier CO Dunkel float and the Mint Chocolate Julep shake.
Paleterias Tropicana
You may not have tried Tropicana yet, but it’s worth the trip for ice cream connoisseurs. Feast magazine said “Paleterias Tropicana is building an ice-cream empire in Kansas City,” and they might be right. This establishment specializing in fresh-fruit popsicles and homemade ice cream is owned and operated by husband-and-wife team José Luis Valdez and Lucia Fonseca. They offer 48 flavors of Mexican paletas – ice pops – made with just fresh fruit, white sugar and water or soft-serve ice-cream mix. They’re all made with products imported from Mexico and using traditional recipes, Valdez says.
According to Feast magazine, the flavors will transport you to Mexico: “creamy pistachio flecked with ground nuts; an off-white guanabana; a golden mango with bite-sized fruit pieces; rice-studded horchata and sweet-and-sour tamarind with chiles.” Tropicana also offers the old standbys, including strawberry, chocolate and vanilla, but where’s the fun in that?
Miami Ice
It’s a little taste of Miami in Missouri, and this long-time family-owned favorite isn’t shy about its inspiration. The first thing that catches your eye is the pink and teal “Miami” décor, but the treats will tempt your taste buds. From Westport, Miami Ice serves up shaved ice, frozen custard with mix-ins, and other tasty cold treats. The 20-plus flavors are varied, but decidedly tropical: guava, Hawaiian, coconut, tangerine, lemon and blue raspberry. And surprise! The shaved ice comes with custard on the bottom. The ice cream is delicious, too, Miami Ice fans rave about cotton candy, cinnamon and coffee flavors.
Our team unabashedly loves ice cream, and also would love to help you buy or sell your Kansas City home!
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