4 Ohio Ice‑Cream Stands To Skip & 4 That Scoop The Best

Summer in Ohio means one thing – ice cream season!
As a lifelong Buckeye State resident with a serious sweet tooth, I’ve sampled countless cones across our great state.
Not all ice cream stands are created equal, though.
Some spots serve up disappointment with sprinkles on top, while others dish out creamy perfection worth every calorie.
Here’s my honest guide to which Ohio ice cream stands deserve your dollars and which ones should get the cold shoulder.
1. SKIP: Dairy Isle – Frozen Disappointment

My cousin dragged me to Dairy Isle last July, promising ‘the best soft serve in the state.’ Boy, was she wrong! Their vanilla tasted oddly chemical, like someone mixed vanilla extract with refrigerator frost. The portions looked impressive at first glance, but the ice cream melted faster than Ohio snow in April.
Within minutes, I was left with a sticky puddle and a soggy cone. The toppings bar added insult to injury – stale nuts, syrup that tasted watered down, and sprinkles that seemed to have lost their color from sitting out too long. Save your taste buds the disappointment and drive a few extra miles for quality ice cream instead.
2. SKIP: Smith’s Ice Cream – All Show, No Flavor

Smith’s Ice Cream lured me in with their fancy building and colorful signs. What a trick! Their chocolate ice cream had me questioning if cocoa was even involved in the recipe – it tasted more like brown food coloring than anything else. Lines snake around the building on hot summer nights, but trust me, it’s not worth the wait.
The staff seemed annoyed by simple questions, making the whole experience uncomfortable. Prices hit your wallet hard too – nearly $7 for a basic sundae that wouldn’t impress a toddler. When my nephew visited from California, I felt embarrassed after talking up Ohio’s ice cream scene and then subjecting him to this flavorless frozen stuff.
3. SKIP: Frosty Boy – Quantity Over Quality

Frosty Boy tempts with mountain-high soft serve that defies gravity. Unfortunately, what you’re getting is mostly air whipped into mediocre mix. My first visit left me wondering if I’d eaten ice cream or frozen whipped topping. Their signature ‘Monster Cone’ impressed my kids visually but disappointed their taste buds.
Even my six-year-old, who thinks ketchup on pasta is gourmet, pushed it aside after a few bites. The place desperately needs updating too – sticky tables, bathrooms that haven’t seen a deep clean since the 90s, and employees who look like they’d rather be anywhere else. I’ve given Frosty Boy three chances over the years, hoping for improvement, but some things never change.
4. SKIP: Mister C’s – Freezer Burn Central

Mister C’s ice cream tastes like it’s been sitting in the freezer since last season. You know that weird crystallized texture that screams freezer burn? That’s their signature consistency! My strawberry scoop had actual ice chunks mixed throughout. The shop’s location by the lake should make it a perfect summer spot. Sadly, even gorgeous water views can’t salvage the subpar frozen treats they’re dishing out.
Their specialty sundaes come with clever names and high prices, but deliver minimal joy. The ‘Buckeye Bliss’ I ordered had exactly three mini peanut butter cups and chocolate syrup that tasted suspiciously like the bargain brand from the grocery store. Some Ohio traditions are worth preserving – this isn’t one of them.
5. BEST: Graeter’s Ice Cream – Chocolate Chip Champions

Graeter’s Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip changed my life! No exaggeration – I actually planned a detour on my road trip last summer just to grab a scoop. Those massive chocolate chunks aren’t chips – they’re islands of chocolate bliss in a sea of creamy perfection. Founded in 1870, this Cincinnati treasure still makes ice cream using French Pot freezers, the same method they’ve used for generations.
You can literally taste the difference this slow, small-batch process makes. My personal ritual involves getting a double scoop – one Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip and one Buckeye Chocolate Chip – then finding a bench to savor every bite. The dense, creamy texture puts those national chain ice creams to shame. Worth. Every. Calorie.
6. BEST: Johnson’s Real Ice Cream – Flavor Innovation Masters

Johnson’s scooped my first-ever ice cream cone when I was five, and forty years later, they’re still my go-to for creative flavors. Their Honey Vanilla Bean makes me weak in the knees – it’s like someone captured summer sunshine in dairy form. Four generations of the Johnson family have been making ice cream since 1950. Unlike those corporate chains, they’re constantly experimenting with new flavors while perfecting the classics.
Last month they debuted a Maple Bacon flavor that sounds weird but tastes miraculous. The sweet-savory balance had me questioning everything I thought I knew about ice cream. Their seasonal offerings keep me coming back – Apple Pie in autumn, Peppermint Stick during holidays, and Lemon Blueberry in summer. Each visit feels like reuniting with an old friend who’s learned some impressive new tricks.
7. BEST: Honey Hut Ice Cream – Sweetness Perfected

Honey Hut’s secret weapon is right in the name – they use local Ohio honey as the sweetener in their ice cream base. The result? A distinct creaminess and depth that sugar alone could never achieve. My summer isn’t complete without their Honey Peach ice cream. Made with fresh peaches when they’re in season, it captures Ohio summer in a single scoop.
I’ve literally dreamed about this flavor in February. The family-owned shop maintains five locations around Cleveland, each with the same friendly service and consistently excellent quality. While waiting in the inevitable line, I’ve made friends with strangers as we debate our favorite flavors. Their Honey Vanilla Cinnamon has converted even my most ice-cream-indifferent friends into believers. Pro tip: get there early on summer weekends or prepare for a wait that’s totally worth it.
8. BEST: Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream – Local Ingredient Heroes

Mitchell’s transformed my understanding of what ice cream could be. Their commitment to local ingredients isn’t just marketing talk – you can literally taste the difference in their Fresh Strawberry made with berries from farms just miles away. Walking into their Ohio City location feels magical. The converted theater showcases their production facility behind glass, letting you watch ice cream being made while you debate between flavors like Wildberry Crumble or Campfire S’mores.
Beyond delicious, Mitchell’s takes sustainability seriously. They use compostable spoons, source renewable energy, and partner with local farmers. My environmentalist sister approves, and my foodie brother declares their Caramel Sea Salt the best in the state. When out-of-town friends visit, Mitchell’s is always our first stop – nothing represents Ohio’s food scene better than their farm-to-cone philosophy.