For $2.50, you can have an ice cream cone in a real throw-back setting. Chaps has been peddling ice cream at this location a long time, and the fittings show their age (worn out linoleum, cracks in some leather seating, dark interior from aged lighting). But there is something reassuring about being served by a regular, reliable staff, having inexpensive options, and seeing The Andy Griffith Show on the TV set. Yes, Opie, you can get a chocolate ice cream cone, and it won't break the bank. read more

Folks with Allergies beware. Carelessness at the counter. Had an unfortunate situation family member has peanut/nut allergy, ordered chocolate ice cream scoop, they served him chocolate mixed with peanuts - not labeled anywhere. Total lack of awareness - They have to be more careful. Pretty sure they don't rinse scoops from tub to tub. Had to rush back for his care. read more

$4.50 for a small cup with two scoops of ice cream. I guess $2 is for sitting in a cramped, peeling booth with cushion springs poking through under exposed beams as teenagers mack wetly and the person sitting behind you insists on slurping up the very last dregs of ice cream out of his sugar cone. The other $2.50 is for the homemade ice cream that has a little bit of a chalky aftertaste and isn't creamy so much as watery. Tons of your run-of-the mill flavors (black raspberry, cookie dough) and two specialty flavors that they rotate out. Samples are allowed so don't be shy to ask for a spoon of something before you make your decision. Extensive list of regular food. I feel a little bad dumping on a local institution, but they seem to have made a name for themselves - almost every restaurant on the Mall that I've been to uses their ice cream for a dessert - and I just can't get behind the winning combination of "expensive and not spectacular." read more

Pretty good ice cream! Had the coffee raspberry which is the first time I've ever seen a flavor like this. Word of warning though - they actually close at 10 pm and not 11 like yelp says and instead of telling you they're closed so you leave, they'll just serve you while complaining in the background, making it awkward and then charging you extra. read more

The service was quick and friendly, and the ice cream was great. We got the cookies & cream and chocolate peanut butter flavors. No complaints here. read more

Chaps Ice Cream - Oreo and chocolate peanut butter ice cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

The sandwiches are delicious. I got the turkey bacon club this morning and it was so fresh and tasty. Ill definitely be back

Great deal but small servings. I got the cake batter to walk around with. It was just the right amount since I wasn't super hungry. My friend got pumpkin. I would definitely go again for the price it was a steal. I like the apparent old school vibes inside. read more

I love the old ice cream parlor/diner vibe. It's great that it's right on the downtown mall so you can eat your ice cream while enjoying some of Charlottesville's best people watching. The ice cream was very tasty; all the flavors I tried were yummy. Getting ice cream at a place like Chaps in a place like Charlottesville just feels right, it reminds you of the town's history and roots, and ignores the new, hip, young vibes that now curl around most of Cville's drinking/dining scene. Those vibes aren't a bad thing by any means, but sometimes it's good to feel like you're just eating ice cream in a small town in Virginia, and no one's trying to be fancy. My critique would feature two issues: 1) the sole woman working was not very friendly on our most recent visit, she barely took note of us as we entered and then we we stepped up to the counter to order she was silent and it made us feel awkward about asking to sample any flavors before ordering, and also we were planning to order some fries or something with our ice cream, but she seemed so cold we just decided to get our ice cream and run. I think she was just trying to clean up and stuff, but still, a little customer service goes a long way; 2) the prices are pretty high for thand type of ice cream you're getting (again, nothing fancy, I think just Hershey brand--delicious but not homemade or gourmet). But again, I'd still go back. There are pros to this sort of establishment that can, at times, weigh out the cons. read more

Deliciously creamy, flavorful, locally made ine cream. Prices were very reasonable. Homemade waffle cone was perfection. I tend to be swayed by ambiance and cleanliness which was severely lacking for my personal preference. The place was pretty filthy and in poor repair. Location however was perfect if you're in the downtown mall area and craving a cold treat. read more

Great homemade ice cream!! our favorite flavors are: Peach,coffee raspberry and mint chip! Great summer night treat!

I had a scoop of cobblestone on a waffle cone and it's $5.9! Too expensive! The cobblestone has too much peanut butter that I feel like I'm eating from a frozen peanut butter jar... Not recommended unfortunately... read more

Chaps Ice Cream - Cobblestone ice cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

This place has a lot of character. It's got that authentic ice cream, soda shop kind of vibe going for it. There are several booths, they do serve food and that includes breakfast. I had a single scoop in a small cup of chocolate almond, I thought 3.25 was a bit pricey for a cup that small. The ice cream was OK, nothing to crow about but I wasn't expecting Ben or Jerry either. It's on the Mall so a decent choice if your just sightseeing and want something sweet. read more

I was able to stop in on a Monday afternoon after lunch. We had a coupon for BYGO ice cream cone. They seemed to be a little light on the selection, but I was able to find something to tickle my fancy. Chaps is almost what I would call a soda fountain. While I mainly check it out for the ice cream, they have a menu based off their grill service. They serve both breakfast and lunch, the lunch menu continues through dinner time. They are just steps from the Paramount theatre. It is a nice place to stop in and grab an aftershow dessert. The ice cream is made on site with a 70 year old recipe. They will even make custom flavors with a 2.5 or 5 gallon minimum. If you are looking for a easy hamburger, hot dog, or even tuna melt. Chaps is the place for you. read more

Cute ice cream parlor on the downtown mall. I like the peach ice cream in the summer - it's kind of chunky with actual peach chunks! Not super sweet, but just right. So refreshing. I've also gotten a blackberry ice cream milkshake here, and that was thick, smooth, creamy, and delicious. Great place to stop by after dinner and take a dessert to go. Kind of cramped inside, but it feels cozy. read more

Chaps Ice Cream - Peace ice cream with actual peach chunks! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Ice cream was ok. They don't require customers to where masks. I think I we'll stick with the Gelato place a couple of doors down.

The man who helped us out was super helpful and friendly. The pistachio doughnut was surprisingly super good. If you like unique places and are around the mall area definitely swing in and try this place out. read more

Chaps Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

The only place to get ice cream in Charlottesville! If they're open during the COVID lockdown (hours have been sporadic), just stop what you're doing and get a cone or cup - even if you're not hungry or it's 39 degrees out. It's so worth it. We're about to leave Charlottesville and this is the place that I will miss the most!! read more

I just had the most WONDERFUL and wholesome experience here this morning. I stopped by for a breakfast sandwich on a whim, and was greeted by the nicest and most personable man (the owner perhaps?) who chatted with me and gave me ice cream samples while I waited and told me all about the flavors. The breakfast sandwich was delicious and it was a really friendly way to start one of the first cold mornings of the season. I will keep coming back! read more

Best ice cream in Charlottesville!!! First time coming here and the cordial worker let me try 2 samples of the cherry vanilla and black raspberry even though there were an influx of customers on a Friday night. The black raspberry's texture, creaminess, & delectable taste is 10/10! I call this place the Thomas Sweets (in Georgetown DC) of Cville. read more

Cookie dough ice cream without the cookie dough is just vanilla. Creamy yes, not worth the hype.

Awesome, super creamy ice cream and service is great! Definitely recommend this place to anyone just passing by or that comes to Main Street often! read more

13 bucks for a small two scoop and small one scoop. Closed 15 min early. Wouldn't make a milkshake. Understaffed and rip off. Ice cream average. read more

Not worth the price. $22 for 3 cones and a plate of soggy old bay fries. Better off goi g elsewhere. Staff was nice though. read more

Chaps Ice Cream - I cream was good. Not worth the price. 3 cones and a plate of uncooked fries $22. Better off going somewhere else. Staff was nice though - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Chaps Ice Cream has a fantastic location on the Downtown Mall. Perfect place to stop in a hot afternoon or if you're just craving ice cream! The shop was homey with friendly staff who let us try as many ice cream flavors as we wanted. Really enjoyed the chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream -- and a bonus to support a great local joint! read more

Stopped at Chaps to get some ice cream post-dinner one night while I was in Charlottesville for work. It was pretty crowded. If I hadn't been with co-workers, I probably wouldn't have waited in line. I would have just gotten a pint from a gas station or something. Very standard ice cream but cute shop. I got chocolate chip cookie dough. It was tasty (as ice cream generally is) but nothing to write home about. Vintage, diner decor, as noted by other Yelpers. But it would have been awkward to sit because of how the line snakes through the shop. So, we ate outside. Luckily the weather is nice. read more

The ice cream and fries are amazing!! The people are even better!!! Thank you, Chaps!!!

AMAZING ice cream and truly a unique landmark of Charlottesville

We were in Charlottesville this morning and wanted a place to have lunch. The owner of this restaurant was incredible. The place is spotless and the food is delicious. If you want a taste of an old time USA malt shop you've got to try this little mom & pop joint. They serve breakfast and lunch and the ice cream is everything you'd find way back in "the day". My husband and I ended up lingering over coffee longer than we should've and eating more than we should have. Such nice people read more

Unfotunately, the ice cream here was a disappointment. I ordered a shake with and the coffee tasted like vanilla with coffee beans in it and the Cinnamon was the same....cinnamon added to Vanillla ice cream. Great decor not the place when looking for amazing ice cream. It will do in a pinch...but that's all. Also, the should decide on whether they are or are not going to take specific credit cards. It creates an unnecessary bad customer experience. Sorry;-( read more

We only went for the ice cream and it did NOT disappoint. I had peach (oh man so fresh & creamy) and Golden Nugget which was pecan and caramel. The two together tasted like pie and I freaking loved it. read more

Chaps Ice Cream - Peach ice cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

We have been supporting Chaps for years and Tony is a great man but the workers are rude. I placed a order today & I told the lady on the phone twice not to put onions and peppers on the steak and cheese's we ordered but it wasn't until I was halfway home that my Husband checked the food and realized it was wrong. We drove back & I could hear the cook (lady) in the kitchen going off and to tell us they didn't have anymore steak and cheese and I walked out with a refund. read more

"So how long have you been married then? 2 Weeks?" "A bit more than that" "6 Weeks?" "No, more" "Okay, a year?" "3 months" "Aah, ok, no wonder you're still celebrating Valentines Day then" "Well, it's easier when you don't have kids. What's this one here?" "Chocolate Cherry Chunk" "Oh, I hate cherry. What's that one?" "Chocolate Fudge Walnut" "oh, that sounds good, can I try that?" I wander my eyes, looking for other options. It was good, no doubt about that, but I like to see my choices, and none of the ice creams were labeled. "Hmm, what's this one?" "Banana" "Oh, I hate banana - can I try the Heath Bar one?" [try heath bar] "hmm, a bit too sweet" The server looks to my husband, "You know, the one thing you'll have to get used to with marriage?" "uuh, no?" "Indecisiveness. Women can never make a decision" Hubby grins. "Fine, I'll have the Chocolate Fudge Walnut. Single. Cone. Thanks" It really was yummy. And the waiter (i think he was the owner) was pretty funny and came up to us and chatted while we ate our icecream. He just loses a point for being mean to me :( read more

I was in town the other night and can see why this place has been in town forever. The ice cream is tasty (can't go wrong with butter pecan) and they move fast even when the line is out the door. The place isn't too big inside but I was able to score a table. Can't go wrong with a waffle cone here. read more

Visited a couple times just for the ice cream because of the label of "homemade" and the fact that it has been around for more than 70 years intrigued me or my companions. Flavors tend to be fairly generic and quality of it doesn't seem as creamy or rich as other homemade ice cream I've had. However, the service is friendly, the ambiance has character as it is a blast from the past, and cost is affordable compared to more pricey cold sweet treats in the Downtown Mall that serve gelato or froyo. read more

This is pretty hard to mess up: ice cream in a dish to go. Then we're sitting at a bench on the pedestrian mall, and my daughter is eating it. "What a rip-off!" Huh? She starts pulling at some paper or plastic thing within the ice cream. WTH? Returned it for a refund and left. Permanently. read more

Yikes! The "homemade" ice-cream here is awful. Have you ever had homemade ice-cream? It raises the bar from "good" to "incredible." It is creamy, rich, delicious, soft, amazing, and so good you only need a scoop or two and you're set! I make it at home, and recently we have started finding it on vacation, where we have never (until Chaps) been disappointed. It is usually made with real cream, milk, eggs, and sugar, and it tastes so soft and creamy you would not believe it. Below homemade ice-cream is amazing store bought ice-cream like Ben & Jerry's, or Dreyers. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY below that, in another galaxy, is Chaps ice-cream. It is...disgusting. My husband and I sampled five flavors and should have known better...but yet each ordered a scoop anyways! It was NOT creamy, not delicious, in fact it had a wierd taste (mine was Oreo - which is the easiest ice-cream to make homemade and absolutely amazing, hubs had praline). I don't know what on earth chaps is using to make it's homemade ice-cream (my guess: it's not actually homemade, and it involves very cheap ingredients), but do yourself a favor and just pick up a pint of B&J's...or make it yourself. read more

I liked my ices cream just fine, but don't think it deserves any hype. Cute long time running shop in the mall of Charlotesville. FYI's~ *Same selection as something like Baskin & Robbins *Couple booths for sitting *Vintage feel to the shop due to age of business *Seems well loved by the community read more

Ice cream is fairly decent. The only thing worth mentioning is that I found a hair closely resembling a pube in the middle of one of my scoops. Rest assured, it was not mine. read more

Come here every visit. Worth every penny. That chocolate shake. That shit is good. Not a bad cheeseburger and fries, as well as the mocha I've tasted from their coffee kiosk. Kitschy-cool and genuine pink and aqua blue. Greasy-spoon. Haiku for you. read more

Delicious high quality creamy ice cream... Great atmosphere....Inexpensive $2.50 tax included for creamy delicious super creamy (did I mention creamy!) ice cream. my vanilla is spotted with the vanilla bean, has a quality cone, well... Had I ate it all and seriously want a second. Lovely service on a hot, busy Saturday. fun diner atmosphere that doesn't look too polished, like real antique coke machines in use, cracked tile floor and dinky signage with the plastic lettering. A real ol gramma is working the line too. Quite a nice contrast to the super polished outdoor mall and neighboring stepford stores. read more