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    Blue Cow Ice Cream

    4.6 (214 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Order Blue Cow Ice Cream Takeout or Delivery

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    Jocelyn L.

    I got a caramel crunch ice cream which I enjoyed but the vanilla was very bland, it only tasted good when I got bits of the caramel. The service was good, you can try as many samples as you want! Overall a good place with plenty of seating, good prices and portion sizes. I asked for my scoop in a cup which looked like it had another ice cream flavor but the girl serving my ice cream still used the cup which I found odd... I'm not very picky so I did not say anything but I probably should've.

    Roanoke Star in distance
    Jamie F.

    Cute little ice cream shop. We passed it earlier today when visiting the zoo. We read online that all ice cream is handmade - which I love. I tried the sea salt caramel brittle - oh so yummy. My kids had mint chip on a waffle cone which they do charge an extra $1.50 - seemed to be the fan favorite of the shop, me and my husband stuck with the classic cake cones. Service was nice, the shop was mostly ran by young gentleman and a few younger gals. The place was hopping, be mindful parking lot is small but there is an office right next door that offered a few spots, or you could park along the street. I unfortunately didn't snag any photos of the inside or ice cream, because life & kids . Oh it also sits along the river, which you can walk to the back and enjoy the water and trails.

    Blueberry goat cheese and sea salt brickle with caramel swirl
    Eileen T.

    I tried their ice cream after a food tour I took in downtown Roanoke when I saw their truck and sandwich board. The board listed some really interesting flavors that I wanted to try. The service was ok. Not super friendly and they slammed the little sliding door shut after taking my order, presumably to keep in their AC but still felt rude. The ice cream honestly didn't have a ton of flavor and was just ok. I've had better homemade ice cream. We tried the blueberry goat cheese and the sea salt brickle with caramel swirl.

    Se C.

    Stopped by Blue cow after lunch in Roanoke. It was my first time visiting Roanoke and when I searched ice cream, Blue cow came up first. The location couldn't be any better. It is located right off the River and you have a view of the bike trail and the star when you are seated outdoors. I tried the homemade waffle cone with their cookies n cream flavor ice cream. It was by far one of the best cookies n cream ice creams I have had in my life. The ice cream was chewy, cold, not overly sweet. There were good chunks of the cookies in it. The service was great. For two scoops on a waffle cone, it was $8.59. I wish they had this in Northern Virginia. I would recommend this to anyone. Funny how the dentist is right by here.

    Key lime pie
    Hanaa K.

    It was cool outside and perfect for some ice cream. It was super busy in and outside so we had ours in the car. I got the red rooster coffee and it was perfect. Generous scoops and friendly service. The lot was full and the only other disabled spot was in the corner and no way to park there.

    John B.

    When I drove by this place, I was thinking what on earth was it doing in this random location, but then I approached it from the greenway trail (not that easy to see from the road) and the utility of the location became clear. I mean, why not hop in while you're walking or otherwise moving along the river? This place has a deck overlooking the river and also a water fountain with bottle filler and some restrooms (of which the greenway does not have any nearby), so it's actually quite a convenient location when you know what's going on. In addition to that, they appear to produce excellent ice cream. They had some vegan options and even advertised a shake with oat milk, but I went for the old-fashioned dairy desserts, including a flavor with berries and oatmeal and a good old mint chip. Both delivered well on their premise. This is apparently a chain spread widely throughout the commonwealth, and I think this location here is a great thing for Roanoke to have.

    Cereal Milk
    Trish I.

    I quickly see why this is a staple in Roanoke! I went on a Friday evening and it was very crowded, however the staff was able to tend to every customer very quickly and kindly. I sampled a few flavors but ended up going with cereal milk which tasted great! I also added some Oreo chunks to it as a topping. There are two benches to sit on outside if you prefer to enjoy the weather and also a few tables inside as well. Overall, I really enjoyed this place and will continue to come back throughout the summer!

    Lexi B.

    Yummy ice cream with big servings!! I've tried the coffee, cow patty?, and dark chocolate raspberry and they've all been so good.

    Single scoop sea salt brickle with caramel swirl in a waffle cone

    Tried a few samples (Oreo, coffee, mud chocolate) before settling on this flavor and was not disappointed. Was intrigued by the berry crumble and key lime, but didn't try them.

    Salted caramel in a waffle cone
    Jill B.

    Stopped by again and got the flight this time. (I remembered from last time that it would be a good idea to get since that gives the girls more flavors to try.) The only problem with the flight is they don't have mini waffle cones to put the ice cream in. Maybe they could make little waffle bowls or something to put the ice cream in? That would make it even better! We got the banana pudding, sea salt caramel, peanut butter fudge ripple and cookies n' cream. It was good!

    Linjie S.

    Not your average ice cream shop. Very tasty ice cream. I will come back. BC I know this is my must to go ice cream shop.

    Example, post cleaning. Still stains but kids want to eat so best we can do with water and napkins.

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    2 months ago

    They have the best ice cream you will ever taste. Everyone is nice, store is always clean.

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    10 months ago

    We love this place it has good ice cream and the aesthetic of nighttime by the Roanoke star.

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    4 years ago

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    7 months ago

    One of the best places to get ice cream! I highly suggest it the service is awesome!!!

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    Carolyn K.

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    1 year ago

    Excellent service and great tasting ice cream. Service delicious very convenient to The Greenway.

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Great inventive flavors and a creamy, chewy texture! We will definitely come back when we are in town again.

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    2 years ago

    Perfection!! If you get a chance, try the cereal milk ice cream in a waffle cone - delightful!

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great ice cream, flavors you would never find anywhere else. Service is always top notch. Sit out on the porch and enjoy the water.

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    1 year ago

    The ice cream is so good. Rich, creamy and full of flavor. I will definitely be back.

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    Ask the Community - Blue Cow Ice Cream

    Lactose free options?

    Yes! There are dairy-free options that are made with coconut milk and there are also occasionally sorbets

    Do they have gluten free cones?

    Yes we do!

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    Rookie's

    Rookie's

    4.4
    (43 reviews)
    4.1 mi

    Delicious ice cream and cookies. I had a flight of 4 small scoops of ice cream and a cookie. I…read morehad Maple Pecan, blue Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie & ??? (lol I forgot the 4th one) with a snicker doodle cookie. Every one of the ice creams were so flavorful and delicious. The cookie was great! Nice and chewy. The inside is a bit dirty, the bench cushions look like it has seen some kids with ice cream drippings. It wasn't unsanitary however. Service was great. The girl behind the counter was very nice and pleasant to speak with. I highly recommend giving Rookies a try.

    I first reviewed Rookie's (Handcrafted Ice Cream Sandwiches) when it opened at the Patrick Henry…read moreHistoric building in Downtown Roanoke; just across the street from the Social Security building and the Roanoke Public Library - Downtown Branch. I did so after having visited it several times, having had their ice-cream and homemade cookies, and having talked to and interviewed their store employees as well as their truck driver who brings their ice-cream and cookie dough from Lynchburg, Virginia. Now that Rookie's has relocated from their Downtown Roanoke store to Cave Springs, at 3549 Electric Rd, Suite D, I have decided to visit their new location, and write an update review. I urge all the readers to this review to also go back and read my first review and accompanied photographs to learn more about the history of the company. For Rookie's is more than just an Ice Cream Parlor. It's a place where desserts and friends meet to create something memorable. Their employees are encouraged to establish conversations with their customers and answer questions about their company and their products. And their comfortable ambiance and seating area contribute to the enjoyment and extraordinary sweet dining experience while people socialize with family and friends, and share quality time with them. The new location is more family-friendly and has more parking than their previous location. The residents of Cave Springs have welcomed Rookie's with open arms and have become steady customers in a relatively short period of time. I was impressed to find out that it is located in thr same Shopping Center as Cafe Asia 2 Restaurant, one of my favorites Asian Restaurants. Rookie's continues to offer different flavors of cookies, homemade ice cream, and signature ice cream sandwiches, in a clean and simple interior design relaxing environment, and with excellent customer service from their warm, knowledgeable, and friendly staff. Today I visited the new location with a friend and both of us interacted with the servers and had ice-cream sandwiches. Mine was Mint Chocolate Chip cookies with Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. The combination of the two made the perfect sweet snack or dessert. During the time we were there chatting and enjoying our ice-cream sandwich, we saw many other customers come in and do the same. It seems that Rookie's made a great strategic move for a win win situation between the company and its customers. A quote from the owner of the community I feel best describes it best: "We believe that community is built on a foundation of celebrating something good and we believe our handcrafted ice cream sandwiches. Ice cream, cookies & milk will bring you together! We're all about the memories made and the nostalgia we hope you feel whenever you tuck in to a treat with friends and family." All of Rookie's ice cream is handcrafted in Lynchburg, and they offer vegan and gluten-free options. Rookie's hopes to continue expanding to other locations, with some customers even asking for a location in North Carolina. I highly recommend this business and its products, and consider it one of the City of Roanoke's gem.

    Photos
    A spoonful of Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.
    A spoonful of Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.
    Triple chocolate cookie with espresso chip ice cream
    Triple chocolate cookie with espresso chip ice cream
    Inside

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    Inside
    Pop's Ice Cream & Soda Bar

    Pop's Ice Cream & Soda Bar

    4.5
    (146 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $

    I was roaming around the Grandin village area of Roanoke and found Pop's ice cream next to Gianni's…read morerestaurant. Perfect for dessert or late dinner. Spoiler alert: I ended up getting 2 pints of ice cream for dinner. The price was pretty good, as far as ice cream goes. $8 per carton and that wasn't that bad actually. I arrived here around 5:30pm on a Thursday afternoon. I had just finished my late lunch at Gianni's restaurant next door and needed to find dinner before heading to my airbnb for the night. I didn't want to walk 0.25 miles from my Airbnb to Grandin Avenue later that night, so I just decided to have ice cream for dinner. It worked out very favorably for me actually. I probably spent about 20 minutes here. The ambiance was interesting and felt like a 60's diner. There wasn't much going on at the time, but it was good to be here to be shopping for ice cream. There was a large selection of ice cream that was scratched onto the board in the store. Plenty of flavors but I ended up getting Oreo and chocolate, which was quite heavenly. The restaurant itself was small but clean. Like a 60's diner that kept things true to form. The service was quick and simple while being typical and friendly. I definitely enjoyed and would recommend coming here if you enjoy authentic ice cream in the Roanoke area. For the most part though, the experience here was uneventful. It would be cool if my travels permit me to return here in the future. But for now, I was glad to have come here and experienced the ice cream. I enjoyed the chocolate more than the Oreo, but both were delicious and quite enjoyable. It put a smile on my face for sure. The overall experience here at POP's ice cream in Grandin Village, Roanoke Virginia was very good and made my stomach happy. Although I could have eaten my ice cream at the restaurant, it was close to sunset and wanted to be at my Airbnb for the night before I get lost. It was cool to talk to the dude behind the counter for a couple of minutes before trying to decide what flavors I wanted that day. Just felt a little interesting there, the vibe and the ambiance being there on a random Thursday afternoon being a tourist. It wasn't a long experience here, since ice cream typically is a fast transaction. The flavors change regularly, since they write the flavors on a large chalk board and it seems like it's easy to change at any given time. I love the chocolate of course. Oops. I forgotten that they do have other offerings like actual food items, which I could have bought for dinner, but I was focused on the ice cream, which is very authentic and made in house everyday. If my future travels permit me to return to Roanoke, I will be back to sample other offerings here at Pop's and also try out other flavors of the authentic ice cream that the locals have raved for. Kind of feels like this place is popular with kids and people who love their ice cream. I just happened to come during the slower period, as March isn't usually the time of year to have ice cream in Virginia. For the most part though, my tastebuds wanted the chocolate ice cream for dessert and I was happy to have it on my short trip to Roanoke. Definitely recommended if you are passing through or vacationing in Roanoke, like how I was. POP's Ice Cream and Soda shop is located at 1916 Memorial Ave SW in the Grandin Village district of Roanoke, Virginia. They accept major credit cards as well as cash. As far as parking goes, it is very limited. Your best bet is to find street parking where you can find it nearby in the residential areas and walk on over. It's a walkable neighborhood and doesn't seem like they get a lot of vehicular traffic on any given day. If you enjoy public transportation in the city of Roanoke, you can ride routes 65 or 71 and walk on over after getting off the bus. I got here by walking from the 3rd street bus station, which was 2 miles away. Way to build up that appetite, I guess. The prices here are good and competitive. Supporting local businesses is where it's at here. There's always uber and Lyft if you desire comfort and convenience at your fingertips. If you are here in Roanoke and want to enjoy delicious and authentic ice cream, consider coming over here and enjoy. There's also other things they can offer to enjoy too, but make sure you ask for a menu or else you will miss out on the other stuff Pop's has on their menu. You will not regret it I promise. 5.0 stars for the overall experience. Support local! A+

    Walked in on a rainy afternoon right at opening, I have been wanting to try Pop's for a while and…read morethe opportunity presented itself for my visit. Pop's has been a part of the neighborhood for almost two decades now. The proprietor greeted us walking in and was setting up for his day. The interior is a time warp back to when things were simplier, more relaxed and just a better way of life, like when sodas were fountain drinks made by hand. Grilled cheese is the thing here, along with hand drawn fountain drinks, crafted ice cream sundaes, a variety of cones, with a tomato bisque and a daily soup. There are hard menus (old school) and a daily broad overhead behind the register. We both opted for the board special grilled cheese, it was a great choice and then a cup of each, the tomato bisque and the potato soup as the daily special. I had a cream soda with my meal and it was like a step back in time, made fresh with the good ice and a fresh head of cream. Its an ice cream shop, how can you not have ice cream after a good lunch? So, after my healthy meal what better than a hot fudge sundae to balance it all out! This is a really rich dessert and so tasty, vanilla ice cream on top of a big fudge brownie, fresh whipped cream, fudge sauce and topped with a cherry, classic. A cool retro vibe, excellent grilled cheese sandwich options, tomato soup always and a huge selection of fountain drinks, sundaes and ice cream combinations. Well worth a stop. 4.5 Stars - rounded up for our gracious host, recommended and I will be back 01051

    Photos
    One of the areas in the restaurant.
    One of the areas in the restaurant.
    Close-up of the Cherry on top of the Banana Split.
    Close-up of the Cherry on top of the Banana Split.
    My Royal Banana Split with Mint Chip, Rum Raisin, and Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream. And a spoonful of it.

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    My Royal Banana Split with Mint Chip, Rum Raisin, and Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream. And a spoonful of it.
    Down Home Creamery

    Down Home Creamery

    4.7
    (7 reviews)
    2.7 mi

    There is a Homestead creamery which is outside of Roanoke and is affiliated with a farm. However,…read moreit is a long way to get to and is not open on Sundays, so I was glad to find that this shop sells that particular local ice cream in the location that is easier to get to. It is a basically 100% dairy operation so if you are seeking non-dairy ice cream. It is a basically 100% dairy operation so if you are seeking non-dairy ice cream then Blue Cow is a better destination (despite the name). However, if you want a full flavored dairy ice cream, this place delivers. I was a little miffed that their flavors had a Virginia Tech tinge, which is not my affiliation, but the Hokie Berry was a delicious flavor and their mint chip was strong. There isn't a whole lot else immediately around, but this shop was reasonably busy.

    I heard about this new ice cream creamery in Vinton, Virginia, that opened a few months ago, and…read moreafter visiting their website, and seeing they had Peanut Butter Ice Cream, decided to go and try it out. The Down Home Creamery is located in a small, modern, red brick, business building on 116 S Poplar Street in Vinton, not too far from the Vinton Library. As one enters the glass doors of the creamery, the decor is modern black and white with accent wood and light color hardwood floors. The place is very clean and well maintained and has a freezer with 24 flavors of ice cream right as you enter and covered with very clean and clear glass doors for one to see and appreciate the different flavors available. It also has many bottles filled with toppings, as well as a variety of Waffle cones and bowls. The atmosphere is very relaxed with fresh air circulation that make you feel comfortable when ordering and eating your ice cream. There was a young lady attendant who greeted me with a smile and took my order of two scoops of Peanut Butter Ice Cream in a Waffle Bowl. The Waffle was fresh and crispy, while the ice cream had just the right smoothness to bring out its flavor at its best. The young lady attendant spent time cleaning the counter as I ate my ice cream in one of the tables of the place. Two other customers arrived while I was their and they were fascinated by the many flavors that they ordered a scoop of several of them. I really enjoyed the place, the service, and the very creamy ice cream. If any of you are like me, that just love ice cream and eating it in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, I highly recommend this creamery. And as for me, I definitely will be coming here some more from now on and tell others about the place.

    Photos
    The peanut butter ice cream in a Waffle Bowl.
    The peanut butter ice cream in a Waffle Bowl.
    Samples of the cones and Waffle bowl available.
    Samples of the cones and Waffle bowl available.
    The Peanut Butter Ice Cream indicates the Waffle Cone.

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    The Peanut Butter Ice Cream indicates the Waffle Cone.
    Sugar Magnolia

    Sugar Magnolia

    5.0
    (3 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    One of the most beautifully creative gift shop in Roanoke, Sugar Magnolia seems to amaze me every…read moretime I visit it. Today, Black Friday, I was fortunate enough to meet the owners of the place, a husband and wife team who came up with the idea of this store and very successfully have made it come true. The husband deals with the numbers, while the wife is the creative mind and buyer of all the one of a kind interesting gifts displayed in the store. This store has so many categories of gifts that it would be impossible to mention them all in this review, but take a look of the photographs accompanying the review and you will be able to get an idea of them all. After all, it is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Two of the main categories are Chocolates and Ice Cream. I went there today to purchase a box of hand picked chocolates which I myself selected and one of the friendly employees arranged very neatly inside the box. Some other categories of gifts include very lovely, quality Greeting Cards, very nice Souvenirs of the Star City of Roanoke, Stuffed Animals, Magnets with Quotes that touch the heart, Pottery such as mugs, plates, pitchers, cookies jars, and during this special time of the year, Nutcracker, Christmas decorations and ornaments, and other festive items that celebrate the Holiday Season time of the year. There is also an area with Purses, Jewelry, scarfs, soaps, incense, and a diverse variety of other beautiful items, that the wife and co-owner of the store has hand selected on her trips as Buyer. But if all this seems amazing and spectacular, what is even greater are the hand picked and well trained employees of the store. Immediately after you enter the store they make eye contact and greet you with a smile, making you feel comfortable and at home. They help you with any questions you might have and in locating that perfect gift for a family member or a best friend. They serve you that special ice cream behind the counter, for you to enjoy while sitting at one of the small tables or while browsing around the store. The customer service they provide is absolutely amazing, and they are key in providing the ambiance that make this store so special. I highly recommend this store to all. Go in and browse around. Enjoy the beauty of the store and the diverse gift items in stock. I am certain that it won't take long for you to find a gift for that special person in your life, for your best friend, or maybe even a gift to get for yourself.

    Great staff, amazing ice cream and adorable shop. My brother and I shared a banana split and my…read moredaughter got some of the chocolate truffles out of the case.

    Photos
    The outside of the store building is located in the Townside Festival modern  outdoor mall.
    The outside of the store building is located in the Townside Festival modern outdoor mall.
    The large windows of the gift shop.
    The large windows of the gift shop.
    The outdoor mall has enough parking to accommodate many customers of the store.

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    The outdoor mall has enough parking to accommodate many customers of the store.
    Bruster's Real Ice Cream

    Bruster's Real Ice Cream

    3.8
    (39 reviews)
    6.3 mi
    $

    Bruster's Real Ice Cream is a favorite of my wife's and mine for ice cream and other desserts in…read moreRoanoke, VA. For the people out there that like places such as Cold Stone Creamery, Bruster's is even better in my opinion. The staff is usually friendly and helpful in helping customers make a decision. They will let you sample any flavor if you want to try one. As for the ice cream, it is smooth, rich, and delicious and comes in a variety of unique flavors. They have all the staples including chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, but the rotating-unique flavors are where the real fun is. I am a fan of the chocolate mudslide and the cappuccino and my wife likes anything loaded with chocolate and peanut butter. Most of the time, I order a milkshake, but sometimes there is nothing like the hot and cold combination of cinnamon-vanilla ice cream on an apple dumpling. It is important to note that Bruster's is an outdoor counter-service ice cream shop and the lines can get long during peak season, but the wait is worth it. There is some limited seating to the side of the building featuring red benches and umbrellaed tables. All of these features make this place an ideal summertime stop. The next time you are looking for quality ice cream, be sure to give Bruster's a try.

    Friendly staff, great ice cream. All the different flavors makes it hard to decide. Love their…read moreapple pie with a scoop of vanilla!

    Photos
    Apple Dumpling
    Apple Dumpling
    The Bruster's sign lit up all around the building.
    The Bruster's sign lit up all around the building.
    Pumpkin Milkshake

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    Pumpkin Milkshake
    Chris's Coffee & Custard

    Chris's Coffee & Custard

    4.7
    (29 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Sounds like it's official - I went to look online about the progress of the new home of Chris's at…read morethe historic Starkey School building as revealed to me by the owner when I met her when I came in for custard a couple months ago while I was in the area. Read my review - EXCEPTIONAL HOMEMADE CREAMY DREAMY CUSTARD! The article I just read online seems to indicate plans for the shop and business relo are well underway! YAY for Chris's! See the article posted on July 15, 2025 here: https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2025/07/16/chriss-coffee-and-custard-to-move-to-new-location/ Their current building lease expires Aug 30 2025 (apparently sooner than the owners had expected). Anticipated opening date at the new location at Starkey School is January 2026! Very cool and exciting news!! CONGRATS AND BEST WISHES TO CHRIS'S! If the decor, ambiance and vibe of the new location is anything like the current location (and I'm told it will be, and so much more!), I can't wait to stop in when I'm in the area next after the new place opens!

    This is one of Roanoke's repurposed industrial buildings; it's a more interesting space than I…read morewould have guessed in advance and you can certainly hang around for a while. The other part that's notable is that this is a business that employs people with developmental disabilities. I surveyed the dessert options and ended up on a seasonal apple pie shake. With frozen custard as a base, it is a smooth shake. The apples didn't quite blend completely, but I wasn't particularly disappointed to have to eat a couple of cinnamon apple pieces at the end of my shake. Their food options are baked goods made in advance, and they do have almond milk for beverages, but I suspect the custard-based desserts are going to be the best offerings for my needs. It is the kind of place where when I offered thanks for my dessert, I got a reply of "my pleasure" and believed it.

    Photos
    Gobs
    Gobs
    Chocolate in a waffle cone
    Chocolate in a waffle cone
    The tag line ...

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    The tag line ...

    Blue Cow Ice Cream - icecream - Updated July 2026

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