20 JULY 2023 W hen you think of summer, what’s the first sweet treat that pops into your head? In Arizona, one of the top answers is probably ice cream. Luckily, there is no shortage of ice cream shops in the Valley to satisfy that craving! Below are just a few area shops that provide shakes, malts, cones and everything in between. CHURN 5223 N. Central Ave., Phoenix churnaz.com Churn is a nostalgic ice cream parlor attached to its gastropub neighbor, Windsor. The shop boasts artisan ice cream, coffee drinks and baked goods like rice krispie treats and peanut brittle. One unique addition to the shop is its supply of old-school candy: Astropops, Candy Buttons, Pixy Stix, Necco Wafers, Chiclets, Smarties and more – if you’re feeling sentimental about the “good old days,” this might be the spot for you! “For the sweet tooth out there, try a homemade ice cream sandwich with fresh baked cookies –it’ll change your life,” Area Director Annie Gaillard said. “Other popular items include the Strawberry Shortcake Sundae and the ‘How The Cookie Crumbles’ Freezie.” Churn opened in April 2011 and is owned by the local hospitality group Upward Projects. The ice creamery is one of five concepts in Arizona (Postino, Windsor, Churn, Joyride Taco House and Federal Pizza). JENI’S SPLENDID ICE CREAM 7051 E. Fifth Ave., Scottsdale jenis.com Founded in Columbus, Ohio, in 2002 by James Beard Award-winning ice cream maker Jeni Britton, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream now has over 20 locations across the U.S. The Scottsdale shop opened in early 2023 and features over 35 flavors, including brown butter almond brittle, gooey butter cake, brambleberry crisp and unique scoops like an everything bagel and goat cheese with red berries. Seasonal flavors are also available, like sweet cream biscuits and peach jam. “Our goal is to serve amazing ice cream and build community wherever we go,” a Jeni’s representative said. “We’re proud of everything in our ice creams. All of our flavors are made in partnership with the makers and producers supplying our ingredients. From family-run dairies to farmers who grow fields of berries just for us. It’s all about bringing a community together to make exceptional ice cream.” MARY COYLE OL’ FASHIONED ICE CREAM 2302 N. Central Ave., Phoenix marycoyle.net The first Mary Coyle opened up in 1937 in Akron, Ohio. The diner’s popularity grew so quickly that by 1940, there were eight locations. The name “Mary” came from the first original owner, Walter “Buck” Coyle, who named the shop after his wife. The couple moved to Phoenix after a health scare and their parlor has since become a staple in Phoenix. The shop offers around 30 ice cream flavors, plus cookie delights, ice cream flights, shakes, floats, malts and more. House specialties include dishes like the Grand Canyon, which includes 11- 13 scoops of ice cream with whipped cream, cherries and six toppings of your choice. PIE SNOB 3933 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix piesnob.com Pie Snob, of course, is mainly known for its pies – but they also have gelato flavors to complement any slice. The shop stocks Villa Dolce, an Italian family-owned gelato company, with flavors like cookies and cream, mint chocolate chip, banana dulce de leche, and birthday cake. They offer cones, too, if you’re looking for a quick treat sans pie! SUGAR BOWL 4005 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale sugarbowlscottsdale.com Standing on the corner of Scottsdale Road is a bubblegum pink painted ice cream shop known as Sugar Bowl. Michigan transplant Jack Huntress opened the shop on Christmas Eve in 1958. The Family Circus cartoon, written by Paradise Valley resident Bil Keane, even included the Sugar Bowl in a few comics, which can be seen around the restaurant and gift shop. Many celebrities, including James Cagney, John Travolta, and even Nancy Reagan’s parents have stopped at the Sugar Bowl. The menu includes ice cream, sundaes and floats, Camelback sodas, sandwiches, and salads if you want lunch before – or after – dessert. SWEET PROVISIONS 8120 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale sweetprovisionsaz.com Sweet Provisions is run by Chef Christopher Collins and the Common Ground Culinary Group. All of the ice cream is made in house with local Arizona dairy and fresh ingredients. Flavors include Oreo cookies & cream, birthday cake, real mint chocolate chunk, kitchen sink, butter pecan, Madagascar vanilla, salted caramel and more. According to Collins, the most popular flavors are cookies & cream, birthday cake, butter pecan, and fresh strawberry cream. Along with scoops, Sweet Provisions offers house-baked treats like pies, cookies, bars and brownies. They also stock a collection of retro candies and other childhood favorites. “We take great pride that at Sweet Provisions every scoop we serve is made with fresh, local ingredients, and all of our baked goods are baked in house daily. We love being the neighborhood spot where families choose to come together for a laugh and to enjoy a sweet treat,” Collins said. SWEET REPUBLIC 6054 N. 16th St., Phoenix sweetrepublic.com Original owners Helen and Jan have backgrounds in the culinary and finance industry. Helen attended Le Cordon Bleu and Jan worked in Hong Kong and Singapore before moving to the Valley to open Sweet Republic in 2008. The Shop offers 20+ kinds of ice cream and sorbet daily, with flavors like salted butter caramel swirl or basil lime and unusual flavors like Sichuan chocolate, sweet corn and blue cheese. They also offer sundaes, milkshakes, floats and ice cream sandwiches. THE SPOT AT ARCADIA 4801 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix thespotarcadia.com The Spot at Arcadia’s ice cream parlor opened just in time for summer snacking. They offer various Blue Bell flavors like mint chocolate chip, strawberry, bunny tracks (the most popular flavor!), cookies & cream, peanut butter fudge, toasted coconut pineapple, pistachio, chocolate, rocky road, butter pecan, salted caramel and vanilla. Toppings include Oreos, sprinkles, syrup flavors and crushed candy bars. They also serve ice cream sandwiches, popsicles and churros. All summer, new customers can buy one scoop and get the second free. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream Sweet Republic Churn