After what seemed like a never-ending winter, Bloomington has finally, well, bloomed. The trees are forming canopies over sidewalks, creating a nice natural umbrella for the plethora of joggers that come out of hibernation (the SRSC) once the mercury rises to at least 60 degrees. The picturesque cream and crimson tulips are back in front of the Sample Gates and the patio at Roy's is packed. Despite all of these signs that it's finally summer in Bloomington, which is the season that comes after Little 5 and before Tailgate season, the most telling sign is that students and townies alike are flocking to their favorite ice cream shop in hopes of the perfect scoop. Too many times have I witnessed an argument about where to get the best frozen treat in Bloomington, so it seemed like it was time to create a list of places to get ice cream to end the age-old debate. After two years of intensive research and the highly valued opinions of my close friends who are also passionate about ice cream, I am finally ready to publish this highly scientific report. Enjoy and always remember that rainbow sprinkles are better than chocolate sprinkles.
Red Mango
Pros: It's on campus, it's frozen yogurt so it's good for if you need some sugar and you're on a diet or watching your weight but personally I would rather eat an 8 oz. bowl of celery
Cons: It's expensive and not that good. Also the topping bar is mediorce and the topping bar is the most important part of frozen yogurt
Orange Leaf
Pros: If you want fro yo, you have two choices. This is the better choice.
Cons: Not really in walking distance of campus and it has a really unappealing name. Seriously, who associates frozen yogurt with an orange leaf? What even is an orange leaf?? (please email me jyarvin@wiux.org with possible answers to this question)
Jiffy Treat
Pros: Delicious ice cream, especially soft serve. Also you can make like 349375943 different combinations of things. Also cheap.
Cons: It doesn't deliver anymore (epitome of lazy is probably delivery ice cream) the chocolate shake is made with chocolate ice cream, not vanilla with chocolate syrup. (Apparently that makes all the difference in making a delicious chocolate shake according to my best friend/chocolate shake connoisseur)
Ice Cream at Bubs Burgers
Pros: Really creamy, good range of flavors (black cherry AND cotton candy), waffle cones are delicious
Cons: You can't just get ice cream without getting a burger...and vice versa (but really is that a con?), sort of an annoying location unless you live downtown, expensive
The Chocolate Moose
Pros: Absolutely adorable ice cream stand, Bloomington staple, great ice cream, diverse flavors, superb waffle cones, IT DELIVERS WITH BTOWN MENUS
Cons: It's only open when it's warm out. It's never warm out. Unless you're a townie/taking summer classes
Bruster's
Pros: It's a cute summer-y small-town ice cream place, super convenient after spending the day at Lake Monroe and realizing you want ice cream when you're halfway home, really good ice cream-one time my friend finished her cone in two minutes and these scoops are not small
Cons: far from campus, only open when it's warm, PLOT TWIST IT'S ACTUALLY A CHAIN
Hartzell's
Pros: Everything. Probably the best ice cream I've ever had, 50 cent cones when you want just a little bit of ice cream, awesome location on Kirkwood, my friend (same one that at the ice cream in two minutes) LOVES their sweet corn flavor
Cons: sometimes there's a line and sitting inside is crowded
