Mitchell’s Ice Cream
Samples – Halo Halo, Lacuma, Ube, Mango, Horchatta, Rum Raisin, Peach, Black Walnut, Dulce De Leche, Kahlua Mocha Cream, Toasted Almond
Butterscotch Marble on Chocolate Chip
Chocolate Caramel Crackle on Double Chocolate Cookies
Perhaps not as ‘artisan’ as Bi-Rite or Humphry Slocombe but likely the most iconic eating destination in San Francisco aside from Tadich and some sourdough it was largely the southerly location of Mitchell’s original scoop shop that had prevented visits on previous Bay Area vacations but with my mind finally set to the task after breakfast at Griddle Fresh my seminal visit was timely to say the least – a wide open store allowing for several samples just before a tourist group of over sixty arrived. Largely a known commodity given the commercialization of the product over the years but offering several unique Asian options along with both classics and seasonal novelties in-store it was with the nutty Lacuma that I began and progressing to Purple Yam, Mango, and Halo Halo I was duly impressed…though single bites were enough when the more “American” options came calling as the perfect complement to cookies from Pacific Cookie Company. Rather wowed by both Toasted Almond and Kahlua Mocha Cream while Horchatta, Peach, and Rum Raisin proved slightly bland it was only after a dozen small bites that I finally settled on a duo of ‘sandwiches’ and with both styles of cookie proving soft, buttery, and well crafted while hefty scoops overflowed the edges creating a proper mess I’d be hard pressed to say which was best – the answer likely residing in just how much you enjoy chocolate as the later was an intense blend of cookie, dark chocolate chips, and rich ice cream occasionally punctuated by crunchy pockets of sweet – a steal of a dessert at $3.25 each.
RECOMMENDED: Tasting everything, particularly the esoteric flavors not available elsewhere.
AVOID: Horchatta tasted like bland Snickerdoodles.
TIP: Part of several Bay Area food-tours and quite limited in space those planning a visit should be prepared to wait 30+ minutes at peak hours, though to-go pints and half-gallons are an option for those in a hurry.
http://www.mitchellsicecream.com/
