5 Pennsylvania Ice-Cream Stops To Skip & 5 That Truly Nail The Scoop
Summer in Pennsylvania means one thing to me – ice cream adventures!
As a self-proclaimed frozen treat enthusiast who’s traveled every back road in the Keystone State, I’ve sampled more scoops than I care to admit. Not all ice cream is created equal, though.
Some shops left me with buyer’s remorse while others had me scraping the bottom of my cup for every last magical drop. Here’s my honest scoop on where to indulge and which spots to drive right past.
1. Skip: Frosty’s Fantasy in Pittsburgh
Frosty’s Fantasy lures customers with flashy neon signs and promises of homemade goodness. My excitement evaporated faster than cheap vanilla on hot pavement when I tasted their signature scoop.
The ice cream had that unmistakable powdered mix quality – grainy texture with an artificial aftertaste that lingered uncomfortably. Their prices? Highway robbery for what amounts to glorified grocery store fare.
The staff seemed more interested in their phones than serving customers, and the place hadn’t seen a good cleaning since the Pirates last won a World Series. Save your money and your taste buds from this disappointing detour.
2. Worth It: Berkey Creamery at Penn State
Magic happens inside this legendary dairy destination on Penn State’s campus. Students line up alongside tourists and locals, all united by one delicious mission.
Berkey’s Death by Chocolate changed my definition of what chocolate ice cream should be – intensely rich yet impossibly smooth. Every flavor comes from milk produced right on university farms, creating that farm-to-cone freshness you can taste in every lick.
My favorite Saturday ritual involves grabbing a scoop after Nittany Lions games. The celebratory atmosphere makes their already exceptional ice cream taste even better. Their generous portions ensure you’ll leave with a happy heart and a very full stomach.
3. Skip: Sprinkles Galore in Philadelphia
Sprinkles Galore markets itself as Philadelphia’s premier artisanal ice cream boutique. Don’t believe the hype or the influencer photos plastered across their walls.
My waffle cone arrived soggy before I even reached the register. The ice cream itself melted faster than Pennsylvania snow in April, creating a disappointing puddle before I could enjoy half my scoop. Flavor profiles seemed confused – their salted caramel tasted mysteriously like banana.
For the astronomical price ($7.50 for a single scoop!), you’d expect something transcendent. Instead, you’ll find mediocre dairy dressed up with excessive toppings trying to mask fundamental quality issues. Your Instagram feed deserves better content.
4. Worth It: The Franklin Fountain in Philadelphia
Stepping into The Franklin Fountain feels like time travel to a soda fountain from 1915. Employees in bow ties and period-appropriate attire scoop generous portions of handcrafted perfection.
Their Franklin Mint Chip delivers the perfect balance of fresh mint (no artificial green coloring here) with dark chocolate chunks that snap satisfyingly between your teeth. The old-fashioned phosphates and egg creams complement their ice cream creations brilliantly.
Located in historic Old City, this spot combines authentic Philadelphia history with genuinely superior frozen treats. Yes, you’ll wait in line. Yes, it costs more than chain options. Trust me though – one taste of their handmade hot fudge will convert you for life.
5. Skip: Dairy Delusions in Harrisburg
Dairy Delusions sits conveniently near the Capitol building, targeting tourists who don’t know better. My family stopped after touring government buildings, expecting a sweet reward for our civic education.
The shop’s freezer case revealed ice cream covered in frost crystals – the telltale sign of poor storage and temperature fluctuations. Each flavor tasted identical despite their creative names. My daughter’s rainbow sprinkles looked suspiciously faded, as if they’d been sitting in that jar since the previous administration.
Sticky tables, bored teenage staff, and bathrooms that should be reported to health authorities completed the disappointing experience. Even my ice-cream-obsessed six-year-old left his cup half-finished – a damning review if there ever was one.
6. Worth It: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in Pittsburgh
Jeni’s transformed my understanding of what ice cream could be during my first visit. Their Brambleberry Crisp – with its jammy berries and buttery streusel pieces – made me actually close my eyes while eating.
Unlike most shops, Jeni’s creates ice cream without synthetic flavorings, dyes, or stabilizers. The texture feels impossibly smooth against your tongue, melting at precisely the right rate. Their seasonal offerings showcase Pennsylvania’s agricultural bounty – summer strawberries from local farms become transcendent in their hands.
Friendly scoopers encourage sampling, genuinely excited to help you discover your perfect match. The bright, airy space invites lingering, though good luck saving your ice cream long enough to enjoy the atmosphere!
7. Skip: Freezer Burn Fiasco in Allentown
Freezer Burn Fiasco earns its unfortunate nickname honestly. Located in a strip mall with faded signage, this place seems perpetually understaffed and overwhelmed.
My cone arrived with visible ice crystals throughout – the cardinal sin of ice cream storage. Flavors lacked any depth or nuance, tasting more like their artificial namesakes than actual food. The chocolate reminded me of those cheap Easter bunnies that are more wax than cocoa.
Worst of all, I watched an employee drop a scoop on the floor, pick it up, and return it to the display case when they thought no one was looking. Health department violations aside, no ice cream is worth this level of disappointment. Pennsylvania has too many excellent options to waste calories here.
8. Worth It: Bassetts Ice Cream in Philadelphia
America’s oldest ice cream company still makes some of Pennsylvania’s finest scoops. Operating since 1861 inside Reading Terminal Market, Bassetts combines historical significance with genuine quality.
Their vanilla bean ice cream sounds simple but delivers complexity that mass-produced versions can’t touch – fragrant with real vanilla specks and a custardy richness that coats your palate gloriously. The butter pecan features actual buttered pecans folded throughout creamy perfection.
Watching market shoppers gather around the marble counter creates a quintessential Philadelphia experience. I’ve brought out-of-town visitors here for decades, and they always leave understanding why Bassetts has survived wars, depressions, and countless food trends while remaining beloved by generations of Pennsylvanians.
9. Skip: Sundae Sadness in Erie
Sundae Sadness sits tantalizingly close to Erie’s beautiful waterfront, promising lake views and premium treats. The reality left me questioning my life choices.
My banana split arrived with browning fruit and canned whipped cream that had started separating into oily puddles. The three ice cream scoops tasted suspiciously similar despite being labeled as different flavors. Cherry topping came straight from a jar that had likely been open since Memorial Day – in 2019.
Families with young children made up most patrons, suggesting they rely on location rather than quality to drive business. Lake Erie deserves better accompaniment than this lackluster attempt at a classic American treat. Keep driving to find ice cream worthy of the gorgeous Pennsylvania shoreline.
10. Worth It: Way-Hard’s Farm Market in Waynesboro
Family-owned Way-Hard’s creates small-batch ice cream that showcases their dairy farm’s exceptional milk. Nothing prepared me for the pure joy of their simple offerings.
Seasonal fruit flavors burst with authenticity – summer peach ice cream contains chunks of fruit picked that morning from their orchards. Their chocolate milk ice cream uses the same chocolate milk that wins state fair ribbons annually. The farm setting allows kids to see the very cows providing milk for their cones!
Rocking chairs on the wraparound porch invite you to savor your scoop while watching the sunset over rolling Pennsylvania farmland. This place embodies everything special about the state’s agricultural heritage while serving ice cream that could compete with any big-city artisanal shop.