famous icecream shops

Northampton, Mass.

"Steve Herrell, the great-grandfather of East Coast ice cream (he invented mix-ins: candy and cookies smooshed into the ice cream on a marble slab) still owns this place, which offers incredibly high-quality ice cream. It's still made by the batch, by hand. I'm crazy about the chocolate pudding flavor." 413-586-9700

Double Rainbow
San Francisco

Even though it offers more than 30 flavors, DR knows better than to overlook the power of popular chocolate. "I tend toward chocolate, anyway, and at Double Rainbow, there is an ultra-chocolate ice cream that is a deep, deep amazing chocolate that is almost indescribable." 415-982-3097

Brown's Old Fashioned Ice Cream
York, Maine

In operation for almost 40 years, "this is the quintessential summer ice cream stand on the way to a lighthouse (locals know it as Nubble Lighthouse). Once you get there, you'll notice that there are plenty of walk-up order windows, which is what any good stand should have. The ice cream is good, but it's the incredibly beautiful setting that's the draw — that's why I go." 207-363-1277

Mary Ann's Dairy Bar
Analomink, Pa.

"Located in the Pocono Mountains, this 35-year-old wooden stand" nestled in shady woods "reminds me of 'how it used to be.' They make wonderful flurries — very dense, very good — with soft ice cream, candies and cookies. I order mine with chocolate ice cream, Reese's peanut butter cups and Heath bars. It's a little rich for most people, but I love it." 570-424-5968

Toscanini's Ice Cream
Cambridge, Mass.

"Located on Central Square, the shop recently had a face lift," to make it roomier, "but it still employs kind, conscientious people behind the counter, which I think is important. All the ice cream here is homemade, and they offer really interesting flavors," such as signature tastes Burnt Caramel and Cocoa Pudding. "And the chocolate hazelnut is just superb." 617-491-5877

Mad Martha's Ice Cream
Vineyard Haven, Mass.

Open from May to October, "Mad Martha's has quite a reputation (it's frequented by a number of celebrities, including Steven Spielberg and Sen. Ted Kennedy), and it's well deserved because the homemade ice cream is delicious" and made daily. If you have to be somewhere eating ice cream, this is it." 508-693-5883

Incredible Ices
Port Jefferson, N.Y.

"I love Italian ice, but it's hard to find really good ones. For me, it needs to be icy and granular, not stabilized and super-smooth. The ices here are refreshing, and there is a tremendous number of flavors. The last time I visited I went back three or four times in the span of a couple days." 631-476-3737

Ted Drewes' Frozen Custard
St. Louis

Ted makes "a rich, smooth frozen custard with cream and egg yolks. It's a wonderful product not to be confused with soft-serve ice cream, which contains chemicals." The house specialty is called a concrete: custard mixed with "a ton" of tasty add-ins, and handed to the customer upside down. 314-481-2652

Handel's Homemade Ice Cream
Youngstown, Ohio

"Jerry and I were in town (for a speaking engagement) and everyone told us to go to Handel's. We did and we weren't disappointed. They have really good homemade ice cream" in 35-40 flavors made daily. 330-788-0356