August 30, 2013
For Santa Barbara peeps, McConnell’s Ice Cream feels like family. In a day when top-shelf, organic, hipster products are everywhere it’s crazy to realize that McConnell’s has been doing it that way since 1949. I love their commitment to quality and all-natural ingredients. I also love (a little too much) their creamy, delicious ice cream.
Growing-up in Newport Beach, our grocery store carried pints of McConnell’s with that picture of the Santa Barbara Mission on the label. We would buy it for special occasions and I remember licking away at my beloved Peppermint Stick and dreaming of Santa Barbara.
Years later when I met my husband in that dream town, early on we discussed not what’s your favorite flavor of ice cream, but rather, what’s your favorite flavor of McConnell’s? He’s always been a classic kind of guy, no surprise that his fave is Dutch Chocolate—it’s the starting point for the mud pie I make for him every Father’s Day.
I digress (big shock!). This week, to celebrate the first day of school we headed over to the new scoop shop on State Street—I confess I committed a cardinal sin for Santa Barbara locals and actually drove my car on State Street—for ice cream cones, we were surprised and delighted to find much more.
First off, the place is adorable. The stylish shop feels like it’s been a part of State Street since 1949. Next is the ice cream, of course (and they are generous and patient with little taste testers). Along with all the ice cream they have an onsite Bake Room that churns out homemade sauces, delicious cookies that turn into ice cream sandwiches and hand pies filled with fresh farmers market produce. Ain’t nothing wrong with that!
Jordan heads up the Bake Room, making custom ice cream sandwiches to order.
Add-in an espresso bar if mom’s ok, my skinny jeans need more of a latte than a milkshake and you have the perfect stop for all of those things that need celebrating…and those-random-Tuesday-kind-of-days.
Our pooch fits right in.
PS: I just got an e-mail from McConnell’s and they wanted me to let you know that you are all invited to their grand opening next week (see the invite below). All scoops and sandwiches will be 1/2 price and they will have giveaways, coupons and and well, ice cream!
