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Home , Carbonated water, Frozen custard, National Ice Cream Month

Cream M e o Ic n t Happy h National

While enjoying vacations this month, don’t forget to celebrate the one thing for which we love to scream. by deborah reinhardt

Who among us doesn’t remember family summer vacations, suitcases packed in the back, children complaining about being either hot, bored or both? Finally–probably to give himself a break more so than the whining brood in the back–dad pulls off the road at an stand for a quick repast, purchases cones for everybody, and then all is back in balance. The road trip continues in peace (well, relative peace). July officially is , with July 19 being National Ice Cream Day. When President Ronald Reagan in 1984 made the official designation, he may have had the long-suffering road warrior parent in mind, or maybe he simply knew ice cream had been a part of our culture for so long, it was high time Americans be given the green light to enjoy. According to the International Dairy Foods Association based in Washington, D.C., the first recorded advertisement for ice cream in thisW country dates to May 12, 1777. Merchant records from New York show President George Washington spent approximately $200 for ice cream during the summer of 1790. Until 1800, ice cream was a rare enjoyed mostly by the rich, but that changed once insulated ice houses were invented, and manufacturing ice cream soon became an American industry pioneered in 1851 by Baltimore milk dealer Jacob Fussell. In 1874, the American emerged, offering a new treat called an ice cream soda. In response to religious criticism for eating such a sinfully rich treat on Sunday, the merchants began to leave out the carbonated and invented the ice cream “Sunday” in the late 1890s. Although the was patented in 1903 in New York by Italian immigrant Italo Marchiony, the ice cream cone appeared with great fanfare at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Mo. Here, concessionaire Ernest Hamwi combined his waffle-like pastries with another vendor’s ice cream and it was a hit. Hamwi would go on to open the Cornucopia Waffle Company and in 1910, founded the Missouri Cone Company, which later became known as the Western Cone Company. So there’s a little sprinkle of ice cream trivia for those long car trips. To accompany the fun facts, we’ve compiled a list of great ice cream stops you might consider while traveling throughout the Midwest this summer. Don’t forget the extra napkins. •

St. Louis

Ted Drewes, 6726 Chippewa, (314) 481-2652, www.teddrew- es.com. Summer hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. To be completely transparent, this is frozen , but for 74 years, St. Louisans and visitors have traveled to this cool oasis along Route 66 for such treats as Dutchman or Cardinal Sin. Don’t let the long lines intimidate you; there’s a speedy system at this custard stand that works, and before you know it, you’ll have one of Drewes’ famous “concretes” icing up your hands. Another location, which has been open since 1931, is at 4224 S. Ted Drewes on Chippewa. Missouri Division Grand Blvd. (314-352-7376) and has the same summer hours. of Tourism photo Fitz’s, 6605 Delmar Blvd., (314) 726-9555, www.fitzsrootbeer. com. Open daily at 11 a.m. A well-established in the suburb of University City, Mo., Fitz’s offers a fun, casual atmosphere with a full menu, but you have to leave room for one of their floats. Paired with one of the many of soda, which they bottle on site, one taste will take you back to your childhood. You can’t miss with the traditional in a glass of cold rootbeer, but there’s so many other options, such as with strawberry soda (Strawberry Fields), or S’mores float made with draft cream soda topped with ice cream, marshmallow fluff, chocolate sauce, graham crackers, and whipped cream. Oh my goodness. Fitz’s in University City Missouri Division of Tourism photo

Crown Candy Kitchen,1401 St. Louis Ave., (314) 621-9650, www.crowncandykitchen.net. Open 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon- ingredients, such as fresh berries in the summer, also are a part of day–Saturday; closed Sunday the selections. Elbow works with farms and orchards in the region St. Louis’ oldest soda fountain, Crown Candy has served ice to use only locally sourced vegetables, fruits, and herbs. cream treats and candy In addition to the downtown shop, Glacé has a Leawood, Kan., since 1913. While it may location at 4535 W. 119th St. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sun- have received national at- day–Thursday, and 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. tention in recent years for The phone is (913) 339-9004. its “Heart Stopping BLT,” the super-thick shakes, Murray’s Homemade Ice Cream, 4120 Pennsylvania Ave., malts, and World’s Fair (816) 931-5646. No Web site, but Murray’s has a Facebook page. are the jewels of Open seasonally. Summer hours are noon to 9:30 p.m. Thursday– this longtime eatery. Sunday; closed Monday–Wednesday. The shakes come out Tucked away in the Westport area of Kansas City is a small ice in ice-cold tin cups and cream/coffee shop that’s been a part of summertime since 1984. can easily serve two peo- Family-owned from the beginning, Murray’s is known for its delight- ple (but the waitresses Creating a perfect World’s Fair ful atmosphere and scrumptious waffle cones. Flavors–including knowingly bring styrofoam at Crown Candy. Missouri Lemon Cookie Crunch, Kansas City Cheesecake, and French Silk cups to the table to take Division of Tourism photo Fantasy–entice (how does one choose), and what pairs better with the rest on the road). ice cream than cookies, which also are made daily on site. five malts in 30 minutes and they are free; many have tried but few Not in the mood for a cone? Try one of the soda fountain spe- have succeeded. cials, including egg creams and phosphates. No one will leave this A favorite is the Crown Sundae made with vanilla ice cream place without a smile on his or her face. bathed in loads of hot fudge and caramel sauce, and topped with buttered roasted pecans, whipped cream, and a cherry. Old school, but man, does it satisfy any sweet tooth.

Kansas City

Glacé Artisan Ice Cream, 4960 Main St., (816) 561-1117, www. glaceicecream.com. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Premier chocolatier Christopher Elbow has brought his pas- sion for sweets and to his ice cream shops, and it shows through flavors such as and Christopher Elbow Dark Chocolate. For those whose palates seek less traditional fla- vors, there are choices such as goat cheese and tart red cherries, carmalized pineapple, or strawberry balsamic. Before he was an award-winning chocolate maker, Elbow worked as a pastry chef in Kansas City. Made with all natural ingredients and hormone-free milk from Missouri cows, the ice cream is made Happiness is Murray’s Ice Cream Visit in small batches for the freshest taste. New flavors are offered ev- KC photo ery week, so it’s like you never see the same menu twice. Seasonal More Sweet Choices for Ice Cream Month

Zaharakos, 329 Washington St., Colum- Eataly, 43 E. Ohio St., Chicago, Ill., (312) bus, Ind., (812) 378-1900, www.zaharakos. 521-8700, www.eataly.com. Market opens at com. Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday–Friday; 9 10 a.m. daily. a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Chef Mario Batali has created the “mother Restored early 20th-century ice cream par- ship” for foodies who love all things Italian. Il lor serves all your favorites. Gift shop has makes small batches of ice cream daily handmade toys, trains, and ice cream items. and features chocolate, hazelnut, pistacchio, Get the Green River float, made with Chicago’s and vanilla. Grab a cone and check out the vast lime-flavored soda (pop). market and restaurant selections.

Foo’s Fabulous Frozen Custard, 6235 Brookside Plaza., (816) Summer means berry season for refreshing concretes or sundaes, 523-2520, www.foosfabulousfrozencustard.com. Open 1 to 9 but chocolate lovers will not be disappointed because there are Tur- p.m. Sunday; noon to 9 p.m. Monday–Thursday; noon to 10 p.m. tle Sundaes, Triple Chocolate Concretes, or the James Brownie Funky Friday and Saturday. Jackhammer (vanilla frozen custard blended with creamy peanut The Brookside neighborhood (63rd Street between Main Street butter and brownies then filled with hot fudge). and Wornall Road) is known for dining and shopping selections, Missouri locations include Branson, Cape Girardeau, Columbia, and since 1996, it has been Joplin, Kansas City, and St. Louis. Andy’s Frozen Custard also is home to the city’s frozen found in Arkansas, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Texas. Visit the Web site, custard shop, Foo’s. Owned download the menu, and prepare to be delighted. by the Bremser family, the store is named after Joe Independence Bremser who had the nick- name of “Foo” since child- Clinton’s Soda Fountain, 100 W. Maple Ave., (816) 833-2046, hood. www.clintonssoda- Foo’s Custard photo Inside the store, patrons fountain.com. Open will find a wide array of concretes, sundaes, cups, and cones that 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Foo’s fills with their rich frozen custard. Mix in any number of can- Monday–Saturday; dies, nuts, and fruit, or pick a from their menu. closed on Sunday. One of the popular treats here are “Slurries,” a blended fruit In a town that’s and ice drink that’s been offered for more than 20 years; you might wild about Harry– known them outside of Foo’s as smoothies. Order a Slurrie flavor, Truman, that is–In- such as Paradise Island, add a scoop of frozen custard, and top it dependence has a with whipped cream for a super refreshing dessert drink. rich history to share Foo’s also has a location in Leawood, Kan., on Mission Road. with its visitors. Call (913) 383-3667 for hours. Historical buildings Enjoy a treat at the historical Clinton’s are seen throughout Soda Fountain. Missouri Division of Springfield Independence, and Tourism photo one of them is home Andy’s Frozen Custard, four Springfield locations, www.eat- to the charming Clinton’s Soda Fountain. andys.com. While Clinton’s has been in business since 1988, the building on Here’s a new game for your next road trip: Try and see how Independence Square dates to the 1800s. Over the years, it has been long you can drive before someone spots an Andy’s Frozen Cus- a shoe store, jewelry shop, and a pharmacy/soda fountain. In fact, tard store. With more than 20 locations in five states, chances are, a young Truman got his first job at this location working in a soda you’re going to find an Andy’s. fountain. John and Carol Kuntz started their custard business at Lake of Today’s patrons can order Harry’s Favorite–a butterscotch sun- the Ozarks in 1986. Not long after, the original stand was closed dae with –an old-fashioned phosphate, or anoth- while the business expanded into Springfield. It wasn’t until 2005 er item from the shop’s menu. The building has been beautifully pre- when an Andy’s franchise brought the custard back to the lake at served, and the soda fountain boasts a 100-year-old marble counter the new location on Osage Beach Parkway. (from another soda fountain in Kansas) and black-and-white check- With either walk-up or drive-through service, custard lovers ered floor. Sit at the counter with your sundae or take it to one of the will find a great selection of concretes, sundaes, or cones. outdoor tables and watch life unfold in Independence. Sadie’s , 1891 Cad- otte Ave., at the Grand Hotel on Mack- inac Island, Mich., (906) 847-3331, www.grandhotel.com/dining Open just a couple of years, Sadie’s features 24 flavors from the Michi- gan-based Hudsonville Ice Cream. Be- cause it is named after the hotel owner’s award-winning pup, the Grand Sundae is served in a dog bone-shaped bowl. Great option for hotel sightseers.

Fun times at Central Dairy at Jefferson City. Missouri Division of Tourism photo Central Dairy, 610 Madison St., Jeffer- son City, Mo., (573) 635-6148, www,cen- traldairy.biz. Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon- day–Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday A fixture in the community since 1920, Central Dairy doesn’t seem to have changed since the 1950s when school children used to hang out here over shakes and malts. Today, a visit to Missouri’s capital city is deliciously capped off with a visit here. And because you’ve done a good deal of walking around the Capitol, treat yourself to the ba- nana split, a local favorite. It’s summer in the Midwest and the best way we know to keep cool is with a serving AAA.com/Hertz of your favorite ice cream. • Deborah Reinhardt is managing editor of AAA Midwest Traveler magazine.