Who should contend for Michigan's best ice cream parlor?
First, it was coney dogs. Then it was barbecue.
Now, MLive continues its search for Michigan's best with another hot topic: ice cream.
Yes, never afraid to take on the big subjects, we're looking for the best ice cream parlor in the state. John Gonzales—the statewide entertainment reporter for MLive, AnnArbor.com's partner website—will again lead the quest for the ultimate winner. (Rough life he's got.)
In case you missed our earlier projects, here's the drill: Readers from across the state—including ours in Washtenaw County—nominate possible choices for Michigan's best. Our local websites take these nominations and run online polls to get the top choices in each population center. Then "Gonzo" fearlessly sets out to test the nominees and pick an ultimate winner.
Note that we're looking for the best ice cream parlor—which means we'll take into account the overall experience as well as the quality of the ice cream itself.
For more background, read Gonzo's post on the new venture. And to get things started, we need your nominations for the best in Washtenaw County. Washtenaw Dairy and Stucchi's, of course, but where else? Leave your nominee in a comment below, or send an email to entertainment@annarbor.com.
We'll start the poll on Wednesday. And once the winners are known, we'll keep you posted as Gonzo eats his way across Michigan.
Bob Needham is director of entertainment content for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at bobneedham@annarbor.com or 734-623-2541, and follow him on Twitter @bobneedham.
Comments
st.julian
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 12:43 a.m.
The best ice cream in the state is at the MSU dairy.
goldenrule
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 10:58 p.m.
Wow! Here are my top four :) *Oberweise Dairy----their shakes are out of this world! The whipped cream is wonderful! And the shakes come with an edible straw :) *Guernsey Farm Dairy---their almond joy ice cream is heaven! *Sanders Ice Cream Parlor---the sea salt caramel is SO yummy! The parlor on Mackinac Island is the best! *Maggie Moo's---their shakes are awesome!
John Hritz
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 8:53 p.m.
If you go by line size, Sherman's is the longest I've ever seen. Last summer, we left the hotel (noted the line length), had dinner downtown and then stood in line for more than 30 minutes.
treetowncartel
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 8:42 p.m.
Not sure why my other post about Farrell's is being held up, but all I know is they were the king of the ice cream parlor circuit back in the day.
Bob Needham
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 6:04 p.m.
Thanks for the suggestions! Any more Washtenaw County ideas? Should we include Zingerman's Creamery in the poll?
seldon
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 9:10 p.m.
I would for completeness, but it's not precisely an "ice cream parlor".
buildergirl
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 5:56 p.m.
House of Flavors in Ludington of course!
treetowncartel
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 4:47 p.m.
Too bad Farrell's isn't around anymore to win this thing. Also, some of these places in the comments are not really Ice cream parlors per se. Sure they sell ice cream, but do you feel like you are sitting in an ice cream parlor. with the key word being parlor?
iCraig
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 4:24 p.m.
Mooney's in Saginaw. I used to drive my wife all of the way there from Ann Arbor when she was pregnant because she craved "Chunky Monkey".
LXIX
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 3:42 p.m.
1. Drake's on North U. 2. Miller's on South U. Don't bother looking - long gone :(
bluetonguedlizard
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 3:39 p.m.
Shermans in South Haven!!! Nothing beats the Pigs Dinner.
John Hritz
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 8:57 p.m.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jhritz/3832081392/in/photostream/
John Hritz
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 8:56 p.m.
Here's a shot of the menu board with the inexplicable ice cream spaghetti.
John Hritz
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 8:50 p.m.
Sherman's has a sign for ice cream spaghetti. I never got an explanation for what it was however.
tom swift jr.
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 3:19 p.m.
All Star in Jackson. (used to be Loud and Jackson). Without doubt the best in the state.
Mick52
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 5:54 p.m.
Yes! And they give you a lot of ice cream.
rusty shackelford
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 3:12 p.m.
Shatila, hands down. There's not even any real contention here. And seriously? Washtenaw Dairy? I mean, they're homey and all, but they serve nationally distributed junk. If you wanted to talk best doughnuts, it'd be another story.
Dirtgrain
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 7:01 p.m.
Shatila? I wonder what their secret ingredient is.
Lola
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 5:39 p.m.
True, they sell Stroh's ice cream.
Rich Hess
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 3:10 p.m.
Calder Bro's Dairy in Lincoln Park, MI!!! 4.5 rating on YELP! 38 reviews.
seldon
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 3:06 p.m.
Kilwin's in Ann Arbor. Classic atmosphere.
almightydanish
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 3:04 p.m.
Moomer's in Traverse City. Best ice cream hands-down!
bobslowson
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 2:51 p.m.
Mickey's Dairy Twist on Mich Ave in Saline...best home made ice cream!