Best Ice Cream in Western US:

  • Bi-Rite Creamery (3692 18th St, San Francisco, CA) -- This immensely popular iconic spot has creatively delicious flavors like Brown Sugar with Ginger Caramel Swirl, Malted Vanilla with Peanut Brittle & Chocolate, and Balsamic Strawberry.
  • Salt & Straw (2035 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR) -- Having started as a pushcart, they now have multiple locations for their 17% butterfat ice cream in flavors such as Pear & Blue Cheese, Bourbon Coffee, Salted Caramel & Almond Brittle, and Dandelion Sorbet. 
  • Sweet Action Ice Cream (52 Broadway St, Denver, CO) -- Their flavors change daily (you have to follow them on Twitter for their latest), but some of the favorites include Buttered Popcorn, Horchata, Cannoli, Salted Malt Butterscotch, and Cinnamon Roll.

Best Ice Cream in Southwestern US:

  • Sweet Republic (9160 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ) -- Everything in this establishment is made from recycled materials, and their delicious ice cream comes in flavors like Hop Knot IPA and I Love Bacon.
  • Amy's Ice Creams (1012 W 6th St, Austin, TX) -- With over a dozen Texas locations, their myriad of flavors include Mexican Vanilla, Chipotle, Belgian Chocolate, and even Avocado.

Best Ice Cream in Midwestern US:

  • Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (59 Spruce St, Columbus, OH) -- With 15 stores, including the Columbus original, as well as nationwide retail distribution, their delightful flavors include Cherries with Goat Cheese, Reisling with Poached Pear, and Roasted Strawberry Buttermilk. 
  • Pumphouse Creamery (4754 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis, MN) -- They get all their butter, cream, and grains from farms and mills around Minnesota and Wisconsin to help create flavors such as Sea Salt Caramel Pecan, Rum Raisin & Rhubarb, and even a 2-ingredient Peanut Butter flavor for your dog.

Honorable Mentions:

Cost:
$
 Difficulty:
⚒ 
 Bliss Level:
☺︎ ☺︎ ☺︎ ☺︎