Indulge in Sweet Delights: South Bend's Local Ice Cream Shops Have You Covered!
(Editor's note: This story originally appeared June 19, 2024. Check websites or call ahead to confirm hours before going. Enjoy the season's coolest treats!)
South Bend — With the summer solstice — June 20 — upon us, it's time for ice cream.
And The Tribune has the scoop for you on where to find locally-owned ice cream parlors throughout the South Bend region. Most of the shops The Tribune spoke with touted their use of premium ingredients to make their own or purchase high quality ice cream from sellers. There's shops with homemade ice cream, soft serve and waffle cones made in-house. Several of the shops are also known for their treat creations, such as banana splits, sundaes and more.
We did our best to include all the ice cream shops in the South Bend area, but we'd still suggest checking the ice cream shop's website before hopping in the car. If there's a problem with the list or if we've omitted an ice cream shop, email ahughes@sbtinfo.com and include "ice cream" in the subject line so we can update the online edition of the article.
Whether you're looking for a fun family outing or a tasty indulgence during the current heat wave, our guide has you covered.
Indiana
The Beach Hut
■ Where: 100 Moss Pkwy., Michigan City
■ Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Mondays through Sundays
■ Known for: Brownie fudge sundae and hand-scooped ice cream
■ For more information: 219-229-9568 and https://www.facebook.com/beachwalkbeachhut/
Black Cat and Meyers’ Ice Cream
■ Where: 112 S. Arch St., New Carlisle
■ Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays, and noon to 11 p.m. Saturdays
■ Known for: Banana splits, waffle cones and unique flavors, such as cotton candy, peppermint and Michigan pot hole
■ For more information: 574-654-3411 and https://www.blackcatlanes.com/phone/index.html
Bonnie Doon Drive-In
∎ Where: 2704 Lincoln Way W. Mishawaka
∎ Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays
∎ Known for: Since 1938, Bonnie Doon has served up ice cream, with 30 flavors currently available. Adam Carroll, the current owner of the last remaining location , says the history is part of what makes the shop unique.
∎ For more information: 574-255-9841 and https://www.facebook.com/thebonniedoondrivein/?_rdr
Bubbles Ice Cream Parlor
■ Where: 115 W Coolspring Avenue, Michigan City.
■ Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. Central Mondays through Sundays
■ Known for: Handmade treats such as monkey tails, ice cream cookie sammiches and cake pops
■ For more information: https://bubblesicecreamparlor.net/
The Chief Ice Cream
■ Where: Granger: 12479 Adams Road; Goshen: 502 W. Lincoln Ave.
■ Hours: Both locations are open from noon to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 2 to 9 p.m. Sundays
■ Known for: Opened in 1962, The Chief uses a 1950s machine that owner Tracy Klopfenstein says makes the ice cream "dense and creamy." Some of The Chief's top-selling flavors are vanilla, peanut butter Oreo, butter pecan, cookies and cream, and banana pudding.
■ For more information: Goshen: 574-534-6410; Granger: 574-855-3269. Website: https://chieficecream.com/
Crystal Springs Creamery
■ Where: 60020 Ash Road, Osceola. Crystal Springs is also sold at the South Bend Farmer's Market and has expanded into several nearby grocery stores.
■ Hours: Osceola: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. South Bend Farmer's Market: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.
■ Known for: Crystal Springs ice cream is made from fresh milk from the farm's cows, which are raised on an omega three diet. Owner Tim Martin says making the ice cream homemade gives them "control over everything."
■ For more information: 574-535-8442 and https://crystalspringscreamery.com/
Deluxe Tastee Cream
■ Where: 415 J Street, LaPorte
■ Hours: 3 to 9 p.m. Central Tuesdays through Sundays
■ Known for: Black cherry, Blue goo (cotton candy) and bubblegum ice cream
■ For more information: 219-362-8124 and https://www.facebook.com/p/Deluxe-Tastee-Cream-100063615671813/
Fat Boy's Creamery
■ Where: 1239 King Street, South Bend
■ Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays
■ Known for: Oreo and graham cracker milkshakes.
■ For more information: 574-383-6666 and https://www.facebook.com/p/Fat-boys-creamery-100083155549733/
Flavor Freeze
■ Where: 1628 E Bristol St., Elkhart; 23834 U.S. 33, Elkhart; and 2950 Frontage Road, Warsaw
■ Hours: noon to 9 p.m. Mondays through Sundays
■ Known for: Flavor Freeze serves soft serve and homemade hard ice cream. Owner Jeff Rank says the homemade ice cream is the number one seller because it is an "excellent, creamy, tasty" offering.
■ For more information: 574-262-8221 (Bristol Street), 574-875-7525 (U.S. 33) and 574-306-2104 (Warsaw) and myflavorfreeze.com
Let's Spoon Frozen Yogurt
■ Where: 1635 Edison Road, South Bend
■ Hours: 3 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 1 to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
■ Known for: frozen yogurt
■ For more information: 574-292-2358 and https://www.facebook.com/letsspoonfroyo/events/?_rdr
Los Tres Mangos De Michoacan
■ Where: 2518 W. Western Ave., South Bend
■ Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Sundays
■ Known for: ice cream and Mexican snacks and comfort food
■ For more information: 574-217-8967 and https://www.facebook.com/p/Los-Tres-Mangos-100040878133632/
Mooey's Ice Cream
■ Where: 14408 County Road 20, Middlebury
■ Hours: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays
■ Known for: Mooey's serves both hard and soft serve ice cream because "people love it", says Loretta Chupp one of the owners at the shop. The Jolly Cow is one of the shop's popular specialty bowls, topped with brownies, hot fudge, whipped cream and a cherry.
■ For more information: 574-822-7112 and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067446243430
Olympia Candy Kitchen
■ Where: 136 N. Main St., Goshen
■ Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
■ Known for: Old-fashioned ice cream sundaes
■ For more information: 574-533-5040 and https://olympiacandykitchen.com/
Paddy Shack Ice Cream
■ Where: 15015 Indiana 23, Granger
■ Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays
■ Known for: Exhausted Parent and Heaps of Love are two of many flavors offered at the shop, as well as their sundaes and milkshakes.
■ For more information: 574-217-8558, http://paddyshackicecream.com
Paleteria y Neveria La Rosita
■ Where: 2909 W. Western Ave., South Bend
■ Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Sundays
■ Known for: Ice cream topped with tajin and mixed in with flaming hot Cheetos are among a few of the toppings on La Rosita's ice cream.
■ For more information: 574-246-0445 and https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FPaleteria-y-Neveria-La-Rosita-483582905100613%2F
Rocket Science Ice Cream
■ Where: 401 E. Market St., Nappanee
■ Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays
■ Known for: The store's fresh ice cream is made from liquid nitrogen giving customers their choice in how they want their ice cream to be made. The shop's motto is, "we don't scoop, we create," owner Edwin Schwartz says.
■ For more information: 574-773-7003 and https://rocketscienceicecream.com/
Scoops and Sweets Bubbles
■ Where: 624 Wabash St., Michigan City
■ Hours : Noon to 9 p.m. Central Mondays through Sundays
■ Known for: Barbie sundaes and homemade ice cream.
■ For more information: 219-814-4356 and https://www.facebook.com/ScoopsandSweetBubbles
Smith's Ice Cream Palace
■ Where: 51 Pine Lake Ave., LaPorte
■ Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Tuesdays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Central Saturdays and Sundays
■ Known for: Opened June 15 with 24 flavors of ice cream.
■ For more information: 239-822-9896 and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557773968026
South Bend Chocolate Café
■ Where: 122 S. Michigan St., South Bend
■ Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.
■ Known for: Waffle cones dipped in the café's fresh chocolate.
■ For more information: 574-287-0725 and https://www.sbchocolate.com/
South Side Soda Shop
■ Where: 1122 S. Main St., Goshen
■ Hours: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays
■ Known for: South Side Soda Shop makes its own waffle cones and purchases its ice cream from Ashby's, a Michigan manufacturer. The South Side Special is topped with homemade brownies and the ice cream sandwich is made with the diner's chocolate chip cookies. The banana split can be made traditional with vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream or customers can design their own. South Side Soda Shop also makes Green River the old-fashioned way using the syrup mixed with sparkling water.
■ For more information: 574-534-3790 and https://www.southsidesodashop.com/
Sweet G’s Ice Cream and Soda
■ Where: 110 S. Main St., Nappanee
■ Hours: 3 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 to 8 p.m. Sundays
■ Known for: hand-crafted ice cream and a soda fountain in the shop.
■ For more information: Phone number and https://sweetgsicecream.com/
Tropicana Ice Cream
■ Where: Goshen: 620 W. Lincoln Ave.; Elkhart: 160 Easy Shopping Place; Mishawaka: new location at University Park Mall opened June 15
■ Hours: Elkhart and Goshen: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays; Mishawaka: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 6 p.m.
■ Known for: Sugar-free ice cream, Hot Cheetos Chasca and banana splits
■ For more information: 574-971-8944
Twisted Cow
■ Where: 105 County Road 6 #2, Elkhart
■ Hours: 1 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 1 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
■ Known for: Self-serve frozen treats, including yogurt, frozen custard, Italian ice, sorbet and gelato.
■ For more information: 574-343-2578 and http://twistedcowfrozentreats.com/default.aspx
Urban Swirl and Scoop
■ Where: 7130 Heritage Square Drive, Granger
■ Hours: 1 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 12:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
■ Known for: Urban Swirl and Scoop ventured from frozen yogurt to hand-dipped cones with the addition of Cincinnati-based Graeter’s Ice Cream and soft-serve ice cream in 2021. Currently, the shop offers 14 flavors and a "milkshake of the month."
■ For more information: 574-387-4035 and https://www.urbanswirlandscoop.com/
Vanilla Bean Creamery
■ Where: Granger: 7424 Gumwood Road ; Elkhart: 538 S. Main St. ; Shipshewana: 100 S. Van Buren St.
■ Hours: Elkhart and Shipshewana: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 to 8 p.m. Sundays. Granger: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays
■ Known for: The mother-daughter team of Clara Miller and Krista Berkey opened the Elkhart shop in June 2019 and have since opened locations in Granger and Shipshewana. Vanilla Bean Creamery makes its own ice cream, with 23 signature flavors on the menu — including Amish Peanut Butter, Strawberry Brownie Cheesecake and Oatmeal Cream Pie — served up in homemade waffle cones and scooped into sundaes.
■ For more information: https://www.vanillabeanicecream.com/
Whistle Stop Ice Cream
■ Where: 210 S. St. Louis Blvd., South Bend
■ Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays, and noon to 11 p.m. Saturdays
■ Known for: Co-owners Spenser and Rachael Bainter opened Whistle Stop in 2021 in the Commerce Center as an incubator business before moving it to its own location near Howard Park in 2022. Spenser likes to incorporate unusual ingredients in his small-batch ice cream, and the available flavors change often. Some of the rotating flavors include milk chocolate and cookies, bourbon butter pecan and mint, while staples such as vanilla, chocolate, blue moon, and cookies and cream are always available, as are non-dairy options.
■ For more information: 574-703-3170 and https://whistlestopsb.com/
Michigan
Cafè Italiano at the Sweet Shop
■ Where: 205 E. Front St., Buchanan
■ Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
■ Known for: Owner Joe Paolucci said the shop uses "the highest quality ice cream and gelatos available," specifically Palazzolo's gelato and sorbetto (Italian sorbet). The business opened in 2019.
■ For more information: 269-409-8186 and https://www.facebook.com/BuchananSweetShop/
Caruso's Candy and Soda Shop
■ Where: 130 S. Front St., Dowagiac
■ Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays
■ Known for: A third-generation family-owned business, Caruso's still makes its own ice cream the old-fashioned way, including one of their flavors in a wooden trough.
■ For more information: 269-782-6001, http://carusoscandykitchen.com
Diamond Lake Parlor
■ Where: 22041 Michigan 60, Cassopolis, on Diamond Lake Golf Course
■ Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Sundays
■ Known for: Homemade waffle cones.
■ For more information: 269-445-3143 and https://diamondlakegolfcourse.com/ice-cream-shop/
Swirlyz
■ Where: 211 Front St., Niles
■ Hours: 1 to 9 p.m. Saturdays through Mondays, 3 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 3 to 9 p.m. Fridays
■ Known for: Serving frozen yogurt since 2017.
■ For more information: 269-262-4809 and https://www.facebook.com/swirlyzofniles/
The Twirl
■ Where: 220 S. Broadway St., Cassopolis
■ Hours: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
■ Known for: Owner Melissa Vite highlighted the shop's blue moon flavor and hand-dipped ice cream. The shop also serves both hard and soft-serve ice cream. "Soft serve is the machine ice cream, and it's usually a pre-made product, whereas hard ice cream is freshly made," Vite said. The Twirl's ice cream is purchased from a Michigan-owned dairy called Cedar Crest, but the menu also includes at least one flavor of a dairy-free ice cream.
■ For more information: 269-445-3837 and https://www.the-twirl.com/menus/
Email Tribune staff writer Rose Androwich at randrowich@gannett.com .
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Looking for ice cream? The South Bend region has you covered with local shops
