Ode to the Ice Cream Sandwich
I don’t know what it is about the ice cream sandwich that I love so dearly. I grew up on two types of them. The It’s-It is a frozen treat of ice cream that is sandwiched between two oatmeal cookies and dipped in chocolate. I didn’t realize until I was an adult that they are made right here in the Bay Area. I would pass it on Highway 101 South on my way to the San Francisco International Airport. I still occasionally eat these today.
The other type is the Nestle Carnation Ice Cream Sandwich that uses a thin rectangular shaped chocolate wafer cookie on the top and bottom of ice cream (I like vanilla). My last bite always leaves me with some wafer cookie stuck to my thumb and index finger. Today I have upgraded what is in my freezer to Julie’s Organic Ice Cream Sandwiches. It’s the same idea but better quality ice cream and cookie.
In the East Bay, I am lucky to be able to have artisan ice cream sandwiches easily assessable to me. One day my BFF and I walked over to Kwik Way Drive-In from her place when we noticed that they sold ice cream sandwiches. We both got the vanilla bean with chocolate cookies. This square shaped ice cream sandwich was frozen solid which was a bit difficult to eat. It was also about three inches thick so we both only got through half. Since it was very frozen, I was able to save the other half for another day. It seemed tastier the next day. At $3.50, it’s a great value.
Miette in Jack London Square is in the business of selling baked goods and candies. Not many people know they sell delicious gourmet ice cream sandwiches. I recently walked over there during lunch and picked up one made with creme fraiche flavored ice cream and their own graham cracker cookies. I scarfed it down within a few blocks. At $5, it’s nice to treat yourself once in a while.
My favorite ice cream sandwich can be found at Ici in Berkeley. I wouldn’t expect less from my favorite ice cream shop. They have the best flavors of ice cream as well. On warm days, expect to wait in lines with over twenty people. The great thing about getting ice cream sandwiches here is that you can bypass the line if you aren’t getting their ice cream scoops. Yesterday there were at least twenty people in line, so me and my party decided on getting the sandwiches. We got two earl grey ice cream sandwiches and a Meyer lemon ice cream sandwich. Both flavors are excellent. At $4.25 and being able to bypass a line, these are worth every penny.
