Summer's too short: Take a break and eat some ice cream
SYLVIA RECTOR
FREE PRESS RESTAURANT CRITIC
FREE PRESS RESTAURANT CRITIC
You would think that presidents have better things to do than sit around designating a bunch of National Whatever Days.
But back in 1984, Ronald Reagan found time to name July National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday in July -- that would be today -- National Ice Cream Day.
Most of us pay no attention to these pseudo observances, even when they're blessed by politicians.
But I'm making an exception this time to put in a good word for one of the best things about summer: the neighborhood ice cream stand.
Some have stood for generations, representing community and continuity and connection. You don't need to dress up, spend much money or drive far to visit one. And whatever you get will taste wonderful.
With dozens of them all over metro Detroit, you probably know one close by. But in case you've lost touch with your double-scoop butter pecan past, here are some to try.
• Pilgrims come from all over metro Detroit to stand in line at Erma's Original Frozen Custard, opened in 1942 just outside downtown Utica (6451 Auburn Road) in Shelby Township. Last year, it became the first business to receive the township's designation as a historic landmark.
Its luxuriously thick frozen custard comes in more than 50 flavors, which change weekly all summer, and there are dozens of kinds of parfaits, sundaes and other treats. Last month a second store opened at 2080 Fourteen Mile in Warren.
• Leason's Dairy Bar & Grill in Warren (11475 E. Thirteen Mile) has been selling soft-serve cones for 40 years -- an anniversary it's marking July 30 with a big event in the parking lot. The family's ice cream roots date to 1955 in Detroit, when owner Larry Leason's parents opened their first Dairy Queen near Indian Village.
Today, his shop sells hand-dipped cones, premium soft-serve and food ranging from tuna pitas to foot-longs.
• The Dairy Twist Cafe boasts that it is Oakland County's largest ice cream shop, despite being tucked away between the lakes in the Village of Wolverine Lake (2660 Benstein Road). "We serve thousands of people," says owner Paul Waling. "We're known for the largest cones and the most flavors." Some of the recipes date back to Waling's grandfather.
(Read More at http://www.freep.com/article/20100718/COL20/7180335/Summer%5C-s-too-short--Take-a-break-and-eat-some-ice-cream)
But back in 1984, Ronald Reagan found time to name July National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday in July -- that would be today -- National Ice Cream Day.
Most of us pay no attention to these pseudo observances, even when they're blessed by politicians.
But I'm making an exception this time to put in a good word for one of the best things about summer: the neighborhood ice cream stand.
Some have stood for generations, representing community and continuity and connection. You don't need to dress up, spend much money or drive far to visit one. And whatever you get will taste wonderful.
With dozens of them all over metro Detroit, you probably know one close by. But in case you've lost touch with your double-scoop butter pecan past, here are some to try.
• Pilgrims come from all over metro Detroit to stand in line at Erma's Original Frozen Custard, opened in 1942 just outside downtown Utica (6451 Auburn Road) in Shelby Township. Last year, it became the first business to receive the township's designation as a historic landmark.
Its luxuriously thick frozen custard comes in more than 50 flavors, which change weekly all summer, and there are dozens of kinds of parfaits, sundaes and other treats. Last month a second store opened at 2080 Fourteen Mile in Warren.
• Leason's Dairy Bar & Grill in Warren (11475 E. Thirteen Mile) has been selling soft-serve cones for 40 years -- an anniversary it's marking July 30 with a big event in the parking lot. The family's ice cream roots date to 1955 in Detroit, when owner Larry Leason's parents opened their first Dairy Queen near Indian Village.
Today, his shop sells hand-dipped cones, premium soft-serve and food ranging from tuna pitas to foot-longs.
• The Dairy Twist Cafe boasts that it is Oakland County's largest ice cream shop, despite being tucked away between the lakes in the Village of Wolverine Lake (2660 Benstein Road). "We serve thousands of people," says owner Paul Waling. "We're known for the largest cones and the most flavors." Some of the recipes date back to Waling's grandfather.
(Read More at http://www.freep.com/article/20100718/COL20/7180335/Summer%5C-s-too-short--Take-a-break-and-eat-some-ice-cream)
Leason's Dairy Bar & Grille | 11475 E 13 Mile Rd., Warren, MI 48093 | (586)977-2680