As summer’s warm weather creeps slowly into our lives again, many are starting to think about which ice cream establishment they will be most eager to return to in Columbia. In order to help our readers in their choices, we have decided to sink our teeth — or tongues, rather — into several of Columbia’s most well-known ice cream shops and report our findings. Because Sparky’s Homemade Ice Cream seems to be the most famous, it will serve as the staple to which others will be compared. Will Sparky’s maintain its delicious reputation next to Andy’s Frozen Custard, Buck’s Ice Cream Place and Cold Stone Creamery?
Andy’s Frozen Custard:
As I drove up to the brightly lit Andy’s Frozen Custard stand located about 10 minutes off campus, I was immediately met with a 1950s vibe. The colors, designs and music, combined with the fact that the space is an outdoor-only area, gave it a sort of 1950s authenticity.
In terms of the ice cream, I opted for a classic turtle sundae. Coming from Milwaukee, Wis., where custard is viewed as a sort of god, I had high expectations for the quality of theirs. My expectations were met within the first few bites, and I remained pleased until the end. If you have the transportation and want to try something different, I would definitely recommend a trip out to Andy’s Frozen Custard sometime this summer.
Sparky’s:
Despite walking past Sparky’s countless times, each time mistaking its dog statue for a real one, I had not yet experienced the famous ice cream. Venturing into Sparky’s is an experience in itself, as the purple walls are completely covered with similarly styled portraits and kid-like landscapes.
After marveling at the walls, I walked up to the shiny ice cream tubs and saw unique flavors such as chai tea, white Russian, peach lime sorbet and thin mint. I was somewhat overwhelmed by the variety of flavors, each seeming even more delicious than the previous. I finally decided on the white cake batter and within the first licks, I knew that Sparky’s reputation would be upheld in my eyes. Because it was so good, I couldn’t help coming back to try the chai tea flavor. If you haven’t been to Sparky’s yet, I urge you to walk downtown and pick out your own unique flavor. You won’t regret it.
Buck’s Ice Cream Place:
I was skipping class (ironically, nutritional sciences) when I walked into Buck’s Ice Cream Place, tucked inside Eckles Hall. The parlor was small but cute, its walls plastered with posters detailing its rich, 23-year-old history (established in 1989, it’s barely older than I am). After student charging the $1.50 Tiger Stripe cone, I headed to the benches outside the shop to revel in afternoon indulgence.
Since the parlor is only open from noon to 5 p.m., Buck’s is really only a feasible option for people who have wonderful, free schedules — or for people like me, who don’t mind skipping a class or two for no reason at all. If you can make it there, Buck’s is free (that’s what student charge means, right?) and quality, MU-made ice cream. If not, though, you’d better head downtown for a more traditional ice cream fix.
Cold Stone:
Every time I walk into Cold Stone Creamery, I feel a lot like Veruca Salt in the old-school Willy Wonka movie. I want the world — I want the whole world! An enticing array of ice cream, sorbet and frozen yogurt lie beneath the surface of the glass. But, at about $4-7 a trip, I would have to pick up a fourth job to start frequenting Cold Stone.
Maybe one day, when I’m a successful professional, I’ll become a Cold Stone regular. Until then, though, hitting the downtown location on Elm Street offers a two-for-one deal every Tuesday. Just don’t forget your student ID!