One of the best things about summer is the ice cream and its magical ability to be eaten any time of day. Ice cream in the morning? Yes, please. Ice cream in the afternoon? Duh. Ice cream in the evening? Why not!
Of course, not all of us are this indulgent, but there is one special day out of the year when you must give in to this sweet treat — National Ice Cream Day. Taking place the third Sunday each July, it falls on July 16 in 2017 and lucky for you, Philadelphia has loads of options for cooling off with a cone, bowl or even an ice cream sandwich made with macaroons. Here are our top picks on where to celebrate National Ice Cream Day.
Franklin Fountain
116 Market St.
franklinfountain.com
Go back in time at this adorable ice cream parlour in Old City, which serves up delicious homemade ice cream using local ingredients. You can get your ice cream either in a cone or in a Chinese food to-go container if you’re more of a bowl person. Popular flavors include Franklin Mint Chip (inspired by Philly’s own Ben Franklin and made with white peppermint ice cream swirled with green creme de menthe and dark chocolate chunks) and Hydrox Cookie (kind of like cookies and cream but made with Hydrox cookies — Oreo’s kosher cousin).
Sugar Philly
Various locations
sugarphillytruck.com
Before summer is over, you must get your hands on a macaron ice cream sandwich by Sugar Philly. This popular food truck can usually be found Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 38th Street between Walnut and Sansom but they’re also making appearances at various food-centric events. Try the passionfruit burrata blueberry ice cream macaron, the dulche de leche or the salted triple chocolate.
Sweet Charlie’s
Various locations
sweetcharlies.com
This popular Thai-rolled ice cream spot opened on Washington Square (711 Walnut St.) last year and has literally been on a roll, with a second Philly location (1921 Walnut St.) and stores in Rehoboth Beach, Atlanta, Ocean City, North Carolina, New Jersey and St. Petersburg. Popular flavors include Monkey See Monkey Do (nutella and banana), Namaste (strawberry cheesecake) and of course So Cal (acai, honey, coconut, banana). And don’t forget to try the Tall Charlie, a roll of Thai ice cream wrapped in a donut roll that sort of resembles a hot dog.
