Cold Stone Creamery

We just started having this chain pop up all over the place. There are about 6 base flavors, then they mix in whatever you want from fresh blueberries to Snicker bars with 2 big flat spatulas. Do they have these all over? They're amazing when you get just the right mix.

Elise,
THE BEST OF..... on the Food Channel visited one in Alaska last year. I don't know if that was the original or a prototype for the chain??? Nice gimmick, we'll see if it catches on far and wide.
AL

There are several with that concept in Knoxville called the Marble Slab Creamery. Their uniqueness is mixing up the ice cream with the fruit, candy, nuts etc of your choice.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I think they are here to stay, because in addition to the fun of it, they have incredibly rich, creamy ice cream. Gosh, I wish they were open right now.

There used to be a chain called Steve's that did the mix-in thing on a marble slab. Michael Stern, was this chain originally from Massachusetts?? Anyway, the base ice cream was wonderful and the mix-ins of your choice made it divine!

I tried one across the river from Cincinnati in a development called The Newport. I thought it was only fair, and the mix-ins really make the price go up. Your basic Ben & Jerry's is better.

We have about 3 or 4 here in Fresno..they just started popping up...the ice cream is almost too rich.. and they are rather expensive. I won't go to the one nearest our home because they have such snobby attitudes there..not my idea of roadfood.

Folks there is another chain called Cranky's with 1 store in Seiverville TN [near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge] and a new one is being built in Maryville TN . Ilike it better than Marble Slab but both are very good .

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Originally posted by CheeseWit

There used to be a chain called Steve's that did the mix-in thing on a marble slab. Michael Stern, was this chain originally from Massachusetts?? Anyway, the base ice cream was wonderful and the mix-ins of your choice made it divine!

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I think that the place you are thinking of is called Herrell's... I have been to their locations in Cambridge and Northampton, Mass. The best thing about Herrell's is that not only are their mix-ins delicious, but their flavors are SO GOOD solo! Try a double scoop of the burnt sugar with bourbon vanilla. Heavenly.

Bumper, specifically where is Cranky's

Thanks,
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Cranky's in Sevierville is about a 1/2 mile up U S 411 from the intersection of U S 441 going toward the high school and Newport on the left shares a building with a sub sandwich shop.

I am stopping in Sevierville this weekend going to the NHRA races in Bristol. Gotta have a good ice cream fix before we win.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

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Originally posted by elltea

quote:

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Originally posted by CheeseWit

There used to be a chain called Steve's that did the mix-in thing on a marble slab. Michael Stern, was this chain originally from Massachusetts?? Anyway, the base ice cream was wonderful and the mix-ins of your choice made it divine!

---

I think that the place you are thinking of is called Herrell's... I have been to their locations in Cambridge and Northampton, Mass. The best thing about Herrell's is that not only are their mix-ins delicious, but their flavors are SO GOOD solo! Try a double scoop of the burnt sugar with bourbon vanilla. Heavenly.

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I've been to Herrell's, and you're right: the solo flavors are great. I do remember a chain by the name of Steve's that had at least 2 stores in the Philly area in the mid to late '70's.

I was a frequent visitor to Northampton back in my college days and remember Herrells well. The guy's first name is Steve, and that's where Steve's came from. Herrell's was within drunken walking distance from Smith College -- very important on Saturday nights...

Thanks Willy!! That explains it well for me.

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Originally posted by Willly

I was a frequent visitor to Northampton back in my college days and remember Herrells well. The guy's first name is Steve, and that's where Steve's came from. Herrell's was within drunken walking distance from Smith College -- very important on Saturday nights...

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Just read a great story on Steve Herrell in the July issue of Bon Appetit. It explains what happened to Steve's and it brings you up to date on Mr. Herrell. I suggest reading it.

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Originally posted by CheeseWit

Thanks Willy!! That explains it well for me.

quote:

Originally posted by Willly

I was a frequent visitor to Northampton back in my college days and remember Herrells well. The guy's first name is Steve, and that's where Steve's came from. Herrell's was within drunken walking distance from Smith College -- very important on Saturday nights...

There used to be a place in Philly like this - some years ago - was it called Hillary's?

I've never been to Cold Stone (there are two within ten minutes of my work) but my daughter raves about them.

Yes, Hillary's was very popular. We had a Steve's in the old Head House Square, the short-lived mall in Old City.

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Originally posted by jeffskal

There used to be a place in Philly like this - some years ago - was it called Hillary's?

I've never been to Cold Stone (there are two within ten minutes of my work) but my daughter raves about them.

Thanks CheeseWit. I've got Bon Appetit in my briefcase for my train ride home tonight!

Will

We have a Cold Stone in the far west Chicago suburbs, haven't tried it,too many good local ice cream places.

We have Stone Cold in NC. It will do when I can't get to the RTP (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area. If you are ever in that area, including Cary, there is a small local chain GOODBERRYS that is wonderful. They make their custard and then mix it also. I was amazed at how much mixing they put in it!!

We have 3 Cold Stones here in Anchorage but this company did not originate here. My friends seem to think it was started in Seattle or Portland. Steve's Ice Cream in MA was bought out by my friend Joey, who then sold it and later started up Bertucci's, (one of the first brick oven pizzerias). His brother, Nino and another friend, George Tecce, started up another pizzeria, Baldini's and became rivals.

Cold Stone recently opened in Queens, N.Y., and two more are about to open in the borough. It's good but I found it very pricey. Every topping is extra and it really adds up. Anybody else agree?

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Originally posted by Jennifer_4

We have about 3 or 4 here in Fresno..they just started popping up...the ice cream is almost too rich.. and they are rather expensive. I won't go to the one nearest our home because they have such snobby attitudes there..not my idea of roadfood.

Agreed on the attitudes and price .

Marble Slab started here in Houston in '83. Cold Stone started in Tucson a few years later, according to a recent article in the Chronicle. Cold Stone is just starting to move into the Houston market.

Marble Slab has had its ups and downs over the years. They seem to have trouble keeping locations open, at least near me.

I tried it a few times. I'm not much of a super-premium ice cream guy I guess. It wasn't worth the wait or the cost, to me. I'd rather buy a 1/2 gallon of Blue Bell, which has always been very generous with the mix-ins, for less than a single cone (well, on special, anyway).

There was also some problem with attitude at some locations, but I guess if you're serving a super-premium product and paying your workers minimum wage, that's a given .

We ate at an Marble Slab creamery last summer in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. and the ice cream was very good

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Originally posted by Sundancer7

There are several with that concept in Knoxville called the Marble Slab Creamery. Their uniqueness is mixing up the ice cream with the fruit, candy, nuts etc of your choice.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I tried one of these just outside of Vegas. I found it to be average and overpriced. It will never be able to compete with the local New England varieties.

I'm new here but wanted to jump right in-

Steve's- Herrells- Stop, you're both right! We were in an Emack and Bolio's JUST LAST NIGHT discussing the history of the mix in, and the OVERPRICED, NOT THAT GREAT cold stone creamery.

Emack and Bolios, originating in Boston but now also in NY- GREAT premium ice cream, as well as JP licks in Boston. New York now has Uncle Louie G's ices, which come in 40 or more flavors. Not as authentic as Lemon Ice king of Corona, but TONS more accessible while still excellent.

(I'm going to cross post this everywhere I can, but I figued I'd add a note here- we're driving from NY to Florida in a month or two. Our foodie requests are CHEEEAP and good. Feel free to email me at quiteabroad at verizon dot net, since I will rarely remember to check here. Any suggestions are appreciated! If you live between here and there tell me your faves! Thanks in advance!!!)

Anyone ever been to The Creamery at Penn State's main campus in State College, PA? I always bring home a few half-gallons from there, that's how good it is. I'd bring home the 5-gallon tubs if I had a second freezer (and a second stomach )!!!

Jane,
Is that the place that features ice cream made by the P.S. Ag School. It was the subject of a segment on one of the Food Networks programs last year.
We don't bring home ice cream very often anymore...due to an uncanny ability my spouse has to devour ALL of that wonderful product in an uncontrolable eating binge!! I like Ice Cream, but I can buy a half gallon and using my natural masculine self-control behaviors, I can make it last a week or so. (several servings)BUT not my lovely wife, Nope, If it is located, it is gone!! She doesn't do that with anything but Ice Cream, but it totally takes over her ability to limit intake ! If I had only known about this before we married !!!!!

Al, yes, the Creamery at Penn State is part of the Ag school. The Creamery store has been adjacent to the Ag School's main building for years. As we speak, construction is nearing end on the new facility. The new store is at least twice the size and will offer inside and outside seating areas. The ice cream is very fresh and very good.