Michigan Soft Serve Ice Cream Shop Earns Spot Among Best in the Nation
Whether you’re a fan of classic cones, outrageous toppings, or mouthwatering sundaes, there’s an ice cream concoction for everyone to love. From stumbling upon hidden gem ice cream shops to hunting down food trucks dishing out frozen goodness, the search for your favorite flavor is part of the fun.
A budget-friendly travel blog, Cheapism, compiled a list of the best soft-serve ice cream shops in America. They gathered reviews and rankings from soft-serve ice cream-craving customers and in-the-know food writers across the U.S. to compile their list. They named a Michigan ice cream shop one of the best in the nation.
Detroit Water Ice Factory has earned its place as one of America’s best ice cream shops, and it’s the only one in Michigan to make the list. Founded by bestselling author and journalist Mitch Albom, this place is more than just a dessert spot. Albom started the shop with a mission to create jobs and fund charitable works in Detroit, with all profits going to S.A.Y. Detroit charities. The non-profit empowers its residents through direct efforts and partnerships with civic and community organizations. This includes programs like an after-school learning center, a free family medical clinic, a housing initiative for working families, and other initiatives targeting vulnerable populations.
Smooth soft serve with flavorful water ice
Also, highlighted on the website is one of their menu items called the “Motown Twist.” This creation combines smooth soft serve with flavorful water ice, such as Honolulu blue raspberry water ice paired with creamy vanilla soft serve. The best part is that it has zero calories, allowing you to indulge guilt-free while supporting a worthy cause.
According to Yelp, the Detroit Water Ice Factory has received excellent reviews, earning a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. One enthusiastic reviewer exclaimed, “Love the Detroit Water Ice Factory! What a great location, too, in front of one of the Q-Line stops!” Another satisfied customer praised the wide variety of flavors available, they wrote: “There are tons of flavors to choose from (many with Detroit-themed names), and the profits go to charity.”
If you’re curious about the best soft-serve ice cream shops in America, check out the complete list here.
10 Wild Ice Cream Flavors to Try This Season
Summer is officially ice cream season, and July is National Ice Cream Month. Actually, every season is ice cream season, if you ask me. I seriously enjoy scoops of my favorite ice cream whether it’s 90 degrees outside or freezing cold. When it comes to ice cream flavors, it’s hard to beat the classics. Vanilla, chocolate, chocolate-chip and mint chocolate-chip are always favorites. But, why not switch it up and try some really wild ice cream flavors?
As a graduate of Michigan State University, I’ve tried many random ice cream flavors at the MSU Dairy Store. MSU is an agricultural college, so it’s known for the Dairy Store and having delicious ice cream. Honey Lavender and Spartan Swirl come to mind. But, enough about MSU. You don’t have to come to Michigan to get some unique ice cream flavors.
Read on for 10 wild ice cream flavors that you need to try. These flavors are all from major ice cream makers, so they should be fairly easy to find, no matter where you’re located. I’ve also included some non-dairy and gluten-free ice cream options for vegans and those on a gluten-free diet. I’m not vegan, but my favorite ice cream currently is actually non-dairy. Hopefully, there’s enough variety on this list for you to find your new favorite ice cream flavor.
It’s worth noting that some of these ice cream flavors are seasonal and only available in the summer. That said, the majority of the flavors below are currently available year-round.
Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it.
She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel.
A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community.
She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.
