Ice Cream on Long Island, We've Got the Scoop

6/8/11 - By Melanie

It's inevitable. I'm pregnant. It’s hot. I am officially an ice cream hunter. But, I’ve been particularly picky about the selection process. Great for local shops on Long Island that specialize in making their own ice cream, bad for my poor husband who has to go out to get it for me! But he can’t deny it either. Long Island’s ice cream shops are a true novelty. Whether it’s the fact that the ice cream is homemade, or that each morning the waffle and sugar cones are made from scratch as well, or maybe it’s the nostalgia that those mom and pop shops evoke. We’ve rounded up some of the best spots for ice cream on Long Island. Chances are, you’ll see my husband at one of these picking up yet another daily round of ice cream for me. Read on to see where to go this summer to cure your ice craving.

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Coyle's Homemade Ice Cream
75 Howells Rd.
Bay Shore
631-666-2229

Hours: 12pm-10pm, daily; Open Later On Weekends
For Marty Coyle, 1985 was a good year. Marty Coyle and his wife Janice, opened their business, Coyle’s Homemade Ice Cream. It was a good year for all of Long Island as well, as we were able to savor the edible wonder of their homemade ice cream. The store itself has a magical atmosphere reminiscent of the 50’s. You can sit at a soda fountain while eating, and listen to songs from the jukebox. Or you can sit at a booth while you choose from over 60 of their homemade flavors. Want to see where the magic happens? Mr. Coyle has been known of take visitors into his kitchen to see the process of how the ice cream is made. What a treat! Coyle’s is also the perfect location for birthday parties and offers a wide and delicious selection of homemade ice cream cakes.

Hicksville Sweet Shop
75 Broadway
Hicksville
516-931-0130
Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30am-9pm; Sat 7am-8pm; Closed on Sundays
Hicksville Sweet Shop has been a staple for some of the best ice cream in Long Island since 1925. The owners, Phillip and Eva Zourous, believe that everything tastes better when made with love, and made from scratch. The warm way they treat customers and their homemade food have created an establishment with longevity. The Ice Cream here at the Hicksville Sweet Shop is the main attraction. Every one of the 15 flavors in the shop are made from scratch. Even the toppings, sauces, syrups and candies are made in the shop!

Baci Gelato
1136 Willis Avenue
Albertson
516- 801-1706
Hours: Daily, 11am-9:30pm
Using all natural ingredients imported from Italy, Baci Gelato is the place to go for homemade gelato. The owner, Doron Bensusan, is a trained gelato maker. He gained his experience in the gelato making business in Italy and brought everything he learned back to the United States to start his own gelato business. Baci Gelato boasts over 100 different homemade flavors of gelato. Doron shares the secret to the delectable creation that is gelato. Gelato has a shelf life of a few days. In order to preserve the freshness and texture, gelato must be retained at a temperature warmer than ice cream with air continually circulating throughout to keep its creamy texture. If you never tried gelato, make your way to Baci Gelato for an unforgettable experience.

Wolfies Custard
42 Woodbine Ave
Northport
631-754-4850
Hours: Daily 1:30pm-9pm; On the weekends open until 10pm
Wolfies has pretty strong opinions about their homemade custard. One of their slogans is, “Forget everything you know abut ice cream.” This sweet sensation known as custard is a mixture of cooked eggs and milk that combines together to make a soft and creamy texture. Frozen custard must be served 10 degrees warmer than ice cream to maintain its creaminess. And frozen Custard can not be served after two days, it must be fresh, so co-owner Carol Leftwich is constantly preparing new batches of custard for ardent fans. Wolfies is the only establishment on Long Island that serves custard, making it a popular destination.

Gooseberry Grove
12 East Main Street
Oyster Bay
516-628-0385
Hours: Monday through Saturday 10am-10pm; Sundays 11am-9:30om
The Gooseberry Grove is a unique ice cream parlor and old country store. Though known for its delicious homemade ice cream, it is also noted for its fun and funky appearance! Inside, the walls are decorated with stuffed animals and vintage memorabilia and the seats are vintage ice cream chairs. Throughout the store are video games, tables with board games and a flat screen TV. The Gooseberry Grove specializes in its homemade ice cream. They have even created flavors such as “Thin Mints Swirl” and “Matt’s Frappe”. While you are there, be sure to try some of their homemade fudge as a sweet addition to your ice cream paradise!

Snowflake Ice Cream
1148 W. Main St.
Riverhead
631-727-4394
Hours: Daily; 10am-10pm
Any place with a giant sculpture of an ice cream on top must mean business when it comes to ice cream. Since 1950, Snowflake Ice Cream has been specializing in homemade ice cream. With over 30 different flavors, their rich and creamy ice cream brings customers from all over Long Island. Every week, Snowflake presents a new flavor to customers, and if you are feeling especially creative, you can suggest a new flavor to Snowflake by sending them an email! Unlike some ice cream shops that only offer waffle or sugar cones, Snowflake’s offers a wide variety of flavors of homemade cones. Dogs are not left out from the ice creamy goodness, at Snowflake they even feature special ice cream sandwiches made from dog biscuits for your pooch! 


Heading into the city? Don't miss out on your ice cream fix, check out Ice Cream Shops Near Manhattan and Brooklyn Parks.