I stayed in Madison for spring break, and besides having a very wonderful and relaxing break, I was first exposed to Chocolate Shoppe ice cream. You know, the place on State and Gilman with the crazy cow in its emblem.
It has always intrigued me that Madison has two major ice cream brands, as well as a few smaller companies. So, with high hopes of these next seven weeks going by fast and bringing summer as soon as possible, here's a comparative look at Madison creameries.
Babcock
As the daughter of former Badgers, I learned early on about a fantastic brand of ice cream that I could someday have only if I went to Madison. Luckily for me, I'm here. And I have to say that Babcock ice cream is fantastic.
I should throw in my disclaimer here: I worked in Babcock's Dairy Plant for a semester during my freshman year. It's an amazing process. Our own UW cows make the milk for the ice cream, and due to this little fact, I might be a little biased.
Nonetheless, I have many friends who have never made cheese or bottled milk but who still fancy a little Berry Alvarez on warm days. Definite Babcock advantages: it is University-sponsored, delicious and there is always a new flavor in the works.
Chocolate Shoppe
As previously mentioned, I enjoyed my first Chocolate Shoppe ice cream about a week ago. One of the great things about this store is they have great flavors as well as specialty items, from shakes to banana splits.
Another positive aspect of Chocolate Shoppe is it's centrally located, right on State Street. It's hard for me to miss because I have to walk by it every day on my way to and from classes. Good things about the crazy cow: centrally located, delicious and amazing banana splits.
Coldstone Creamery
Experiencing a smaller clientele boom in Madison is Coldstone Creamery. It is a national chain, and I think it suffers for this. We've all had Coldstone in or around our hometowns, and at least for me, the novelty has worn off. Why get something you can get anywhere around the country when you can pop across State Street or go to the Union and get something that was made here?
Still, Coldstone does have the awesome quality of allowing you to watch them add your personal mix-ins. Coldstone perks: centrally located, delicious and the workers sing when you add a dollar to their tip jar.
Sadly, the Ben and Jerry's on State Street is no longer, or I would have a fabulous paragraph about them, too. What do I miss about Ben and Jerry's? Free Cone Day, of course. If you still fancy a little Phish Food after a difficult exam, Walgreens has your back.
So who has the best ice cream in Madison? I had to think about it for a few minutes, but for me, Babcock will always hold a special place in my heart. Not only does it come from the university, it is available at Babcock Hall as well as at the Union. Although it doesn't offer specialty shakes and mix-ins, I would still take a double cone of Badger Blast on the Terrace any day.
Do daydreams of summer have you drooling for Zanzibar Chocolate and One Sweet Whirled? Tell Claire all about it. E-mail her at crwiese@wisc.edu.
