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    Carl's Ice Cream

    3.8 (439 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

    Carl's Ice Cream Photos

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    Elliot O.

    Carl's Ice Cream is a great spot if you're looking for a quick and tasty treat. The ice cream was very delicious, and the service was extremely fast, even when it was busy. The only downside is that the prices are a little on the high side, but the quality and speed help make up for it. Overall, a great place to stop for ice cream, and I would definitely come back.

    Strawberry cone
    Megumi M.

    A Fredericksburg staple! Simple, classic ice cream. Tastes delicious! It was crowded but the line moved fast. I wish they had more toppings like sprinkles!

    Amazing soft serve ice cream. A trip to Fredericksburg is incomplete without Carl's! I've been going for years!

    Outside
    Cristina Cici B.

    Expect long lines on summer days and evenings; it's worth the wait! I opted for the pineapple and pecan topping in a cup, added a waffle cone (crumbled it up all over the ice cream) for an extra treat. I will 100% have to go back again because DANG it was good. It's a FXBG classic that still features it's original sign. It's a must try--just be patient with the line and treat yourself!

    Robin S.

    My grandfather brought me here my entire childhood, I will never not stop here while in town. This place was built on traditional values and family. The lines are very quick no matter how busy they have been. Some things to know: -They only take cash, so if you want to stop here pull out cash before coming. -The parking lot is small but the lot next to it is available too. -This is frozen custard not ice cream.

    Chocolate maple nut sundae
    Torkorche F.

    Carls has changed tremendously but still a favorite of mine there no other place in Fredericksburg with this taste even though there are other good ones. I love the chocolate maple nut sundae.

    people standing in line outside
    Matthew F.

    Am I getting old and cranky, or is this not quite as good as I remember? The custard is good, and it still has those old-time vibes that I found endearing on my last visit. I suppose it's worth it for that. But this time, I found some stuff to be annoyed by. For one, it's cash only. Second, the options are sadly lacking. I don't expect a lot of options in a throwback place like this, but they DON'T HAVE SPRINKLES. Is this still M'erica? I mean, what ice cream place doesn't have sprinkles? Was I imagining things? No...sadly not. I wouldn't go out of my way to visit, but if you're hear then grab a cone...san sprinkles...

    Carl's Ice Cream
    Maria S.

    Carl's Ice Cream is classic to the 'burg. The place that gives you childhood memories. Delicious and creamy, filled with a ton of calories! A must visit for everyone!

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    9 days ago

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    1 year ago

    Passing thru both times, stopped for a cone. I was thrilled to get a chocolate/strawberry combo!

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    1 year ago

    Regular size Hot fudge sundae- perfect! Super creamy. Plan to wait in a line. Cold night - still busy.

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    11 months ago

    Classic, a must try in fredericksburg, va. Creamy but not too sweet. The service is exceptional and now they accept card.

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    1 year ago

    Best custard I've ever had in my life. They are always super quick and they accept card now too.

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    2 years ago

    Love this place and frozen custard . My favorite Cherry Float w/frozen custard added.

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    2 years ago

    I love Carl's Ice Cream. The people are amazing and the ice cream is simply to die for. I definitely would recommend

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    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - Carl's Ice Cream

    Will cards be taken anytime soon? With the advent of Covid I no longer carry cash for health reasons plus money can be filthy. Do you see Carls taking debit or credit any time soon?

    What happened to the old recipe? Markedly different and run-of-the-mill the last few times I have had it.

    Recipe has never changed, nor the ingredients. Been working 40 years, can't explain why you think it's different! Same vendors, same mix, same ingredients, same measurements--sorry

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    Blue Cow Ice Cream

    Blue Cow Ice Cream

    4.2
    (87 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    Pretty disappointing. Got 2 containers to go home. Peanut brittle ganache and the peanut butter…read morefudge ripple. Scooped through the first 1/3 of the container and saw little to no inclusions. Might as well have ordered plain vanilla. The ice cream is fine but when you're ordering flavors they should at least be a "co-star" to the ice cream, especially how they say everything is made "in house". I'll stick to the other cow (moo thru)

    Blue Cow Ice Cream is clearly a very popular spot. When I visited, the place was packed with…read morecustomers, which is always a good sign. Service was quick and friendly, and I ordered a two-scoop bowl of brown butter pecan with hot fudge and pecans. While I enjoyed the visit overall, the flavor of the butter pecan was underwhelming. It tasted more like plain vanilla than the rich, nutty flavor I expected. My friends agreed it just didn't have the depth of flavor that stands out. For such a busy location, I think they could invest in some upgrades to really match their popularity. Right now, the hot fudge is microwaved in a plastic container and drizzled over the ice cream. A dedicated hot fudge dispenser, like the ones you see at places such as McDonald's or Dairy Queen, would elevate the experience and feel more fitting for a shop with this much traffic. At checkout, I asked about a military discount, but I don't think the gentleman heard me. I'm not sure if this location offers one for veterans or first responders, but it would be a great addition if they did. Overall, Blue Cow is enjoyable and clearly loved by the community, but the ice cream and setup didn't quite live up to the hype. With a few improvements, this spot could really shine and deliver on the expectations that come with its popularity.

    Photos
    Blue cow patty
    Blue cow patty
    Outside
    Outside
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    Affogato Europa Cafe

    Affogato Europa Cafe

    4.6
    (37 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$

    Great smooth-tasting coffee! And I was so happy to find…read moreburek! The burek was really good and exactly as I expected. We miss it because we used to have a Balkan restaurant near our home but it closed down. Not all the pastries were up our alley but the coffee alone is worth a trip. Can't wait to return!

    My wife and I were running errands on the Martin Luther King Jr holiday, and we decided to take a…read morebreak and have some lunch. As usual, my wife started looking for a place we haven't been before. Having been in Fredericksburg now for almost 2 1/2 years, the list of such places is getting shorter. We were out Route 3 west of 95, and she found a place called Affogato Europa Cafe. It's a family-run cafe and bakery featuring pastries, sandwiches, coffees, and lots of other sweets. It was a very clean, friendly looking place. We looked at the menu and my wife decided to have a Beef and Onion Burek, which is a traditional Balkan flaky pastry filled with, in this case, beef and onions. It was fantastic. Very flavorful and the pastry melted in your mouth. I'm a sucker for anything with the word "breakfast" in it. I had the Balkan Breakfast Panini. This marvelous sandwich contains egg, chorizo, cheese spread, provolone, tomato, and arugula. It was outstanding and the chorizo was very tasty (though a bit hard to bite through). I know I love a sandwich when after I put the last bite in my mouth, I feel a little sad because it is all done. Such was the case here. My wife had a Cortado espresso, which she loved but was a bit strong for me. I had a London Fog, which seemed like a latte with a hint of Earl Gray tea. I loved it, and when my wife tasted it she pronounced it "nummy". She doesn't use that word a lot so when she does I know she loves it. After lunch we split a Lava Cake, which is a small but decadent chocolate cupcake. The dining room was small but comfortable. The servers we encountered at the counter were very friendly. Rest room was very clean. It's not really close to us, but when were shopping out on Route 3, we'll certainly try them again.

    Photos
    Iced Coffee and Wafer
    Iced Coffee and Wafer
    Dark Cherry Pastry Roll
    Dark Cherry Pastry Roll
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    Carl's Ice Cream - icecream - Updated June 2026

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