People have no idea how good they've got it now. The first time I had some sort of vegan ice cream at the now defunct Mud Pie it was called Oatscreme and it was awful. I didn't try another dairy free dessert for sometime after that and I was pretty skeptical of anything put in front of me. I remember having a similar reaction the first time I had a rice based sour cream. Good grief, just dreadful. It's like those people who tell you carob is like chocolate. NOPE. This is one of the foulest lies in all of human existence.
There were sorbets but seriously *yawn*. Sorbet is not the same as a rich, wonderful ice cream and we all know it.
Many things in the world seem like they might not be making progress but when it comes to vegan ice cream and treats that's not the case. So at least we have something to soothe our troubled souls.
For those of you in Minneapolis some of these are pretty obvious but others are a little bit more under the radar.
Let's start with Izzy's Ice Cream. Izzy's has two locations: one in St. Paul and one in downtown Minneapolis. I've been to both many times. On a hot summer day there is usually a very, very, long line. They have a pretty decent number of vegan flavors. Some are sorbets and are better than your average and of those my favorite is the passionfruit. But they also have ice cream and it is wonderful. My favorite is the peanut butter chocolate followed closely by the blueberry. They offer a sugar cone that is vegan and a gluten free cone as well. They will wash scoops/use a new one for you. The kids that work there are great. You can also click their website for up to the minute flavors on offer. The strawberry vegan ice cream this time of year most especially is beyond. The strawberries being fresh and all. I like going to the downtown one because you can go to the park right next to it.
Next we'll head over to Milkjam. The newest spot of the bunch and currently has my favorite flavor: Black-a chocolate for the darkest at heart. It really is perfect. They have a variety of unusual flavors that are vegan including a Champagne, Curry, Banana Peanut Butter with Oreo, Coconut, Very Berry. They offer a vegan cone and cups. You can try what you like before you decide. The donuts for the ice cream sandwiches are not vegan. However, for my birthday last year someone went and got me vegan donuts and made me ice cream sandwiches and I could only eat a half. So maybe it's not the worst thing. The lines here in summertime get really long and there's not much seating so be warned. It is worth it for sure but be prepared to wait when it's hot.
Since we're in the area we'll go to The Wedge Coop. The coffee/juice bar offers coconut soft serve in a cone and vegan shakes. I love, love the peanut butter chocolate shake(yes, I am a chocolate freak)(Also extremely helpful for PMS and bad moods). Occasionally they will have vegan oatmeal cookie ice cream sandwiches and in March they have vegan mint shakes. For PRIDE they had rainbow sprinkles. Good stuff. And not unlike Dairy Queen from when you were a kid (but better).
If you find yourself out at the Mall of America because sometimes it can't be helped and you know, the Lego store is out there-there is a bit of a hidden surprise. Paciugo Gelato has a whole bunch of vegan flavors. Many of them are water based so they are really low-calorie too. These are franchises so different ones offer different flavors. Some of my favorites are the coffee, limoncello, berry. The fun part of this is even in a small cup you can get up to three different flavors. On the weekends they tend to get cleaned out, I sadly learned the hard way. But if you are out there during the week you'll have your pick.
It took so many years but Ben and Jerry's is finally carrying vegan flavors. They have pints in stores but at the Ben and Jerry's in Calhoun Commons they also have a few available for cones and a milkshake made with almond milk. The PB and Cookie shake is so decadent and so delicious. Even the small size I ended up sharing because it is rich (and dreamy). I walk around the lakes when I get these because these are NOT low-calorie.
you might not know as well.
The first being Wok in the Park.
A favorite place for dinner and dessert. They almost always have vegan coconut and mango sorbet and they have Chinese donuts that the chef will put together a vegan version for you. But every now and then they also have a vegan chocolate cake (sweet merciful crap) and even more rarely but not any less delightful: vegan strawberry ice cream with strawberry rhubarb pie. *Always ask* if dessert is your thing. The staff here is wonderful and they have no problem doing what they can to accommodate you.
A favorite coffee and breakfast place with friends is Bad Waitress. I should say I have not been to the new location yet. But the original is a good, old standby and in the last couple of years started to carry vegan chocolate cake from the Wedge and vegan vanilla and chocolate milkshakes. They are old-fashion style and they are huge. They don't have a vegan whipped cream but really you don't need it, you're gonna get a lot already.
I think of French Meadow as a fancier place to eat. Most likely because it tends to be on the more expensive side of casual dining. They are of course, known for their bakery and in the last few years especially have made more and more vegan (and some gluten free) items available. My personal favorite being the rose cake which you can also get with their vegan vanilla custard. The custard is creamier than your regular vegan ice cream and French Meadow uses quality ingredients and it genuinely shows in their treats. The custard comes served with a vegan caramel cookie normally but if you request it you can get it with whatever you like as this is another place with a great and accommodating staff.
I know there's more out there and I am getting to them. In between exercising.