16 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com JULY | AUGUST 2017 Cool Treats C O O L T R E AT S T O M A K E T H E S U M M E R S W E E T goodEATS While soaking up the sun this summer, what better way to cool down than by indulging in some frozen delights? We tested out some locations where the tasty treats and the fun are through the roof. (It was a tough job, but hey, someone had to do it!) STEEL CITY POPS If you haven’t been to Steel City Pops, then you are missing out! Their all-natural and certified organic popsicles are divided into three different categories: fruity, creamy, and cookie. Try one of their fruity fla- vors, such as Blueberry Basil, SweetTea, or Lavender Lemonade. But you also can’t go wrong with one of their creamy varieties. We sampled Coffee, Avocado and Peach Cream. If you’re looking for a little crum- ble in your popsicle, try either Oatmeal Cream Pie or Peanut Butter Pie, both with a cookie in the middle! Onceyou’vefinallymadethetoughestpopsicledeci- sion of your life, cool off in the hip ambiance. 6025 Royal Lane #105 Dallas,TX 75230 (multiple other locations) 972.556.5292 | www.steelcitypops.com Sun-Thu:12pm-10pm; Fri-Sat:12pm-11pm BEN & JERRY’S Ben & Jerry’s is known for their decadent flavors, like Chocolate Cherry Garcia, Bourbon Brown Butter, and our personal favorite, Coconut Seven Layer Bar. But what many people don’t realize is that this shop is the perfect first stop in planning a summer party. Why not pick up one of their sweet Ice Cream Cakes for your next celebration? If you’re throwing a big affair, you should know that Ben & Jerry’s—with its Cowmobile that is equipped to feed up to 15,000 people—is actually the premier ice cream caterer in DFW. 1501 Preston Rd #400 | Plano,TX 75093 972-380-2697 | www.benjerry.com Sun-Thu: 12 pm–10 pm; Fri-Sat: 12 pm–11 pm HIGHLAND PARK SODA FOUNTAIN Stepbackintimeandhopuponanold-fashionedcircular stooltoexperiencethe“sodajerks”mixingupyourfavor- ite treat. Milkshakes and Malts (extra malt, please!) are just the start. Maybe a Float is your thing or Egg Cream Soda? Order what you like and while you wait, you can wander around and check out all the goods for sale. Ev- erything from lotions and candles to baby clothes and artworklinethewallsofthishistoricshop. 3229 Knox Street | Dallas,TX 75205 214-521-2126 | highlandparksodafountain.com Mon-Fri: 7 am–6 pm; Sat: 8 am–6 pm; Sun:10 am–5 pm CHILLS 360 The next time you’re in Deep Ellum and you see a line around the block, you know you’re at Chills 360. This tiny shop is introducing Thai rolled ice cream to Dal- las—that’s right rolled ice cream. Watch as an ice cream mix is poured before your very eyes over an icy cold disc until it freezes. Then, it’s rolled into an amazing pinwheel of perfection. You have to get The Hangover, which is a wonderful mix of coffee and Kit- Kats. The Pinky Promise—strawberry and graham cracker—andtheMatchaMadeInHeaven—greentea and raspberry—are crowd favorites. This is ice cream worth waiting for! 2646 Elm St | Dallas,TX 75226 | 469-687-75226 Sun-Wed: 1 pm- 12 am;Thur: 1 pm- 2 am; Fri-Sat: 1 pm- 3 am MENCHIE’S You can’t go wrong getting frozen yogurt at Menchie’s, where they aim to make you smile. You’ll have trouble choosing between the unique flavors including non-fat Pineap- ple Cake, low-fat Red Velvet Royale and Uber Fudgy Brownie Batter. Then, you’ll have more trouble selecting from a huge variety of top- pings, from Nilla Wafers (perfect on the coco- nut yogurt, topped with whipped cream) to cheesecake chunks and giant vats of hot fudge, marshmallow cream, caramel and more. Open late, Menchie’s gives new meaning to “family fun night!” Multiple Locations | 469-999-4050 www. menchies.com Sun-Thu: 11 am- 10 pm; Fri-Sat: 11 am- 11 pm BAHAMA BUCKS Anunlimitedarrayofuniquefrostytreatsareserved up by high school employees who seem to be hav- ing as much fun making the concoctions as you will have eating them. Shaved ice, smoothies, sodas, frozen lemonades and lattes. Oh my!Try the Carib- bean Cola, a soda with vanilla flavoring and tropic cream. Or, the Strawberry Cheesecake shaved ice. The list of flavors is dizzying, and then with the add-ons like ice cream, chocolate syrup and more, you can really customize your creation. So many options, so little time! 8700 Preston Rd #127 | Plano,TX 75024 (Multipleotherlocations) |214-618-8395 | bahamabucks.com Mon-Thu:11 am–10 pm; Fri-Sat:11 am–11 pm; ANDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD The choice between a massive drive-thru and walk-up ordering makes this a unique stop on ourlist.Thereareafewbenchesoutside,butbe warned, there is no indoor seating here. Frozen Custard is a change of pace from all of the ice cream, and since blueberries are in season, we went with the Blue Bonnet Jackhammer, which mixed vanilla custard with blueberries and a marshmallow center. Not your thing? Try a Malt, Shake or even a Banana Split. No matter what you order, the whole family will be impressed. Don’t forget about bringing Spot along—Andy’s is dog friendly! 1731EHebronPkwy|Carrollton,TX75010 972-394-7555 | eatandys.com Sun-Thu: 11 am–11 pm; Fri-Sat: 11 am–11:30 pm PACIUGO GELATO Is there anything more indulgent than gelato? How do they pack in all that fla- vor with 70% less fat than ice cream? I don’t know, but I do know that I love the Salted Caramel Gelato here. Give me a giant scoop in a waffle cone, and my inner fat kid is happily fooled.You can also find sorbets and lattes if that’s more to your liking. Most locations are open late so this is a great place to head after a movie or dinner if you want that night to go on just a little bit longer. (Hint, hint fellas!) 936 Garden Park Drive | Allen,TX 75013 (Multipleotherlocations) 972-359-8586 | paciugo.com Mon-Thu:10 am–9 pm; Fri-Sat: 10 am–11 pm; Sun: 12 pm–9pm SUSIE CAKES Feeling nostalgic for some old-fashioned dessert? Make your way to Susie Cakes for a delicious treat made by in-house bakers. Founder Susie Sarich pays homage to her two beloved grandmothers Mildred and Madeline by using their traditions and love of family to recreate their made- from-scratchrecipesusingonlythefreshestandfinestingre- dients. Sentimental summer favorites, like Key Lime Pie and Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes will surely help you keep yourcool—andtransportyoubacktomemoriesofyourown grandma baking in her ruffled apron. 6100 Luther Ln | Dallas,TX 75225 | 214-983-2253 4909W. Park Blvd | Plano,TX 75093 | 469-423-2253 www.susiecakes.com | Mon-Sat: 9 am- 8 pm; Sun: 11 am- 5 pm goodEATS FRIENDLIEST SERVICE! TWEEN FAVORITE! NEW LOCATION AT WATTERS CREEK! VOTED BEST PLACE FOR FOR A FROZEN TREAT IN GLF POLL! SENTIMENTAL FAVORITE! HOWDY’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM Howdy’s is the best way to my heart or anyone else’s! This unassuming blue door in a shopping center holds a delight that is worth a drive. Incredible flavors like Dr. Pepper Choc- olate Chip and Hot Tamales (yes, like the candy) are just a few of the gems here. The real treat though, is the staff. 14 out of the 16 employees are people with special needs, wholovetheirjob.Itshows.Wecouldn’teatthesamplesfast enough—the staff is so proud of their flavors and product that they can’t wait to share it with everyone. They handed us spoonful after spoonful of every delicious flavor, and we couldn'tgetenough.Ileftwithabagfullofpintsandahuge smile on my face. 4333 Lovers Ln | Dallas,TX 75225 469-930-8494 | howdyicecream.com www.howdyicecream.com Mon-Thu: 11 am–9 pm Fri-Sat: 11 am–10 pm Dig in! Ten-year-old Tabitha enjoys the Chocolate Overload Shake from GRUB Burger in Plano, where the slogan is“Come Chill Out."