Lisa Vidaurri BowlingThe Monroe News
MONROE — When it comes to ice cream, vanilla and chocolate top the list of favorites according to the International Dairy Foods Association (IFDA) followed by cookies n’ cream, mint chocolate chip, chocolate chip cookie dough, buttered pecan, cookie dough, strawberry, moose tracks and Neapolitan.
The IFDA estimates the average American eats roughly 20 pounds of ice cream each year. That’s about 4 gallons.
Thanks to President Ronald Reagan, July was proclaimed NationalIce CreamMonth in 1984.
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Sunday, July 21 is NationalIce CreamDay, where will you go to celebrate?
Here’s a list of some ice cream shops in Monroe serving cool options.
Baskin-Robbins (inside Dunkin’ Donuts)
Open every day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.I want to go to there: 1520 N. Telegraph RoadThe ice cream: 44 flavors, including a seasonal Beach Day flavor that is salted vanilla flavored ice cream with milk chocolate flavored caramel-filled sea rurtles, frosting flecks & swirls of graham cracker sand.Of note: All 2400+ locations of Baskin-Robbins in the United States are locally owned and operated
Calder’s Dairy and Farm
Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m dailyI want to go to there: 9334 Finzel RoadThe ice cream: Over 30 flavorsFun fact: The farm was originally supposed to be a weekend retreat for the family and eventually a spot to retire to.
Culver’s
Lobby, dine-in and drive-thru are open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. I want to go to there: 1899 N. Telegraph RoadThe ice cream: In addition to ice cream and custard, their menu features concert mixers, shakes, malts, floats, and sundaesFun fact: The Flavor of the Day has been a Culver’s tradition since the opening of their first restaurant in Sauk City, Wisconsin. Each restaurant picks a flavor of the day, unique to that location.
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
Open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.I want to go to there: 1390 N. Telegraph RoadThe ice cream: Famous worldwide for their soft-serve ice cream in a variety of flavors, Dairy Queen also has a full menu of burgers, fries, shakes and more.Fun fact: The first Dairy Queen opened in 1940 in Illinois. Also. if you head into a Dairy Queen with your child, and they're wearing their youth sports uniform through July 31, you can get a small cone for $1.
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Ice Cream Time
They've got two locations — the Monroe shop and one in Ypsilanti. Their hours are 11:30 a.m to 10 p.m.I want to go to there: 3648 N. Dixie Hwy. The ice cream: They carry all sorts of soft serve ice creams, novelties & hand-dipped Independent Dairy ice cream and more.Fun fact: They've been serving up the scoops for 30 years. Ice Cream Time has an active Facebook page, too, with over 1,600 followers! There you'll find pictures of their delectable teats daily, including some unique and tasty flavors.
Independent Dairy
It all started back in Monroe back in 1934 when Orville Hutchison started out delivering milk by horse-drawn wagon to customers. Their hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.I want to go to there: 126 N. Telegraph Rd.The ice cream: Independent Dairy delivers ice cream by such names as Moose Tracks, Superman, Mackinaw Island Fudge, and Mint Chocolate Chip.Fun fact: Independent Dairy also has an active Facebook page, complete with photos and is one of the oldest and largest ice cream makers and distributors in Michigan..
Lucy’s Frozen Custard
Lucy's is open Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.I want to go to there: 1004 W. Elm Ave.The ice cream: Formerly known as Danny's, Lucy's Frozen Custard is known for, you guessed it, their frozen custard. That said, they also serve a Pineapple Dole Whip which, according to many online reviews, is "amazing."Fun fact: You can check out Lucy's Frozen Custard on Instagram as well @lucysfrozencustard
Sonic Drive-In
Open Daily from 10 a.m to 11 p.m.I want to go to there: 815 N. Telegraph RoadThe ice cream: The national brand is no stranger to the ice cream game. In fact, their cones, shakes and slushies have fans clamoring for many of the unique flavor offerings the company is known for including "Slush Mock-tails," and more. Fun fact: Sonic originally opened as a walk-up root beer stand called Top Hat in Oklahoma in 1953.
— Contact reporter Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling atlvidaurribowling@gannett.com.
