HOT TAKES BY CULTURE FLAKES

Welcome to Hot Takes With Culture Flakes, where we get real about the “bests” and “worsts” of Bozeman. This week, we’re tackling ice cream, one of the tastiest frozen treats around. The Exponent staff breaks down the best ice creameries in the city - whether you’d rather go out and adventure or stay cuddled up in your sheets. 

Gabe: Genuine Ice Cream

When it comes down to it, there are two factors that determine the quality of an ice cream shop: waffle cone craftsmanship and flavor (with flavor weighted a tad heavier). A perfectly designed waffle cone has the girth to withstand cracking under pressure but is still soft and sweet. It holds up to the test of time and leaves the user empty handed after the last bite. It’s a serendipitously efficient creation, if you will. An ice cream shop excels in the flavor category by offering a diverse array of creative, homemade flavors with taste honed using handpicked ingredients and love. It’s a close race, but there’s one ice cream shop in Bozeman that best balances the flavor groove with a delicate waffle cone touch: Genuine Ice Cream Company. The waffle cones here could use a bit of thickening, but with the complement of out-of-the-box takes on flavor and the taste of pure dopamine, a sweet treat from Genuine will leave you genuinely wishing you’d ordered five scoops.

Meghan: Dairy Queen®

Okay, okay… I know what you’re thinking, Dairy Queen®, really? I’ll admit that some of their ice cream treats pale in comparison to places like Genuine or Sweet Peaks, but not the almighty Blizzard®. Blended to perfection by the absolute artists that work in the drive-thru, the blast of flavor is perfect for any mood - breakup, after hike treat, late night bite, the possibilities are endless. With new specialized flavors every month, you can change up what you love or stick to the classics. I’m the biggest fan of a good Oreo Blizzard® (but don’t forget the extra Oreos). And I’ll take Dairy Queen’s® word for it when I say, “happy tastes good.”

Ethan: Burger Bob’s

While it’s not ice cream in the traditional sense, Burger Bob’s offers amazing milkshakes. I personally am addicted to the huckleberry milkshakes, which go perfectly with the fries when you dip them. The huckleberry shake is also a perfect compliment drink to an order of fried pickles or any burger you get.

Finley: Store Bought Ice Cream

While going out to get ice cream has its charms, there is nothing like sitting in bed eating ice cream straight from the tub. Eating store-bought ice cream in the comfort of your own space allows you to enjoy your ice cream at a whole new level. For me, the biggest thing is time. I have commitments, plans and stuff to do, so getting ice cream is a luxury. Usually, the time it takes to get it creates a lot of stress for me. I feel much better eating a nice bowl of plain vanilla ice cream while doing homework, or while hanging out with my friends. Eating store bought ice cream in your own home is not glamorous, and it certainly is not a unique experience, but couldn't we all just use a bit of reliability in our lives? I know how soft my bed is going to feel, and I also know exactly the way Haagen-Daz® vanilla ice cream tastes. I appreciate knowing that the same flavor, consistency and availability is always by my side whenever I need it.

Angela: Literally Anything

My favorite ice cream in Bozeman is any ice cream that’s in front of me. There is no situation where ice cream has made things worse (I guess unless you’re lactose intolerant, which in that case, bummer). If you’re having a bad day and you get ice cream, you probably feel a little better. If it's a hot day and you break into a pint, you are refreshed. No matter what situation you’re eating ice cream in, the ice cream is probably the best part, or close to it. Sometimes for formal functions serving ice cream, the promise of some sub-par vanilla is really the only motivation to go. You would be hard pressed to find ice cream that I would not eat if it was put in front of me. There is some sort of irreplicable joy in eating ice cream.

Kylee: Cold Stone Creamery

When visiting your local Cold Stone Creamery, it isn’t just about their incredibly delicious ice cream, but the experience you gain as soon as you walk through their doors. The scent of sugar fills your nose while you glance up to witness one employee launching a scoop of ice cream all the way from one side of the store to the other for their coworker to catch in a bowl. This duo deserves all the praise as I have yet to see them miss, and that is a lot to say considering I am a frequent customer. The excitement continues as you browse through the various creations they have to offer. If you’re feeling up for the challenge, why not order a tongue twister of a flavor like Germanchökolätekäke® or Cake Batter Batter Batter™. Whatever option you decide on, Cold Stone Creamery never disappoints. So next time you’re hoping to give your friends a sweet experience or you need a remedy for your Sunday scaries, stop by Cold Stone Creamery for a royal treat.