Here are a few fun facts about ice cream: George Washington was the first American to purchase an ice cream maker. Thomas Jefferson was the first American to write out an actual recipe for ice cream. (He learned it from the French and it was vanilla.)
All this is to say that your craving for ice cream is downright presidential. Thanks to a plethora of top-notch ice cream shops in Portland, you can satisfy your appetite for this tasty frozen confection in every quarter of the city.
Salt & Straw is all the rage on the PDX ice cream scene. There are three locations in Portland, but this artisan shop with the amazing and creative flavors has been making waves in press raves across the country. Locations: 2035 NE Alberta St.; 838 NW 23 Ave.; 3345 SE Division St. Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., except for 23rd Avenue, which opens daily at 10 a.m. Price of a single-scoop cone: $3.95
Fifty Licks has found a devoted following of its hand-made ice creams and sorbets cradled in delicious gluten-free cones. Cuban coffee (espresso) and sorbet cocktails complete the menu. The shop is at 2021 SE Clinton St. Hours: 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday; noon to 11 p.m., Saturday; noon to 10 p.m., Sunday. Price of a single-scoop cone: $3.75
Ruby Jewel established its stellar reputation with its ice cream sandwiches. Now there are two scoop shops where you can choose from sandwiches, sundaes, cones and drinks. Locations: 3713 N Mississippi St. and 428 SW 12 Ave. Hours: noon to 11 p.m. daily. Price of a single-scoop cone: $4.50
Scoop Handmade Ice Cream makes small-batch premium ice cream and sells it by the pint and scoop from food carts at several spots around town. Locations: 2730 N Killingsworth St. Hours: Noon to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday; 4926 SE Division St. Hours: Noon to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday and Monday; NE Sandy Blvd. between 52nd and 53rd Avenues. Hours: Noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Price of a single-scoop cone: $4
What’s the Scoop? Their ice creams and sorbets are hand-made and then quick frozen with liquid nitrogen, a process that reduces the size of the ice crystals and makes the confection taste even creamier. Location: 3540 N. Williams Ave. Hours: Noon to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; noon to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Price of a single-scoop cone: $4.75
Cool Moon Ice Cream is a Pearl District hot spot. Stop in any day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for happy hour prices on pints: just $4. Location: 1105 N.W. Johnson St. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Price of a single-scoop cone: $4.25
Cloud City Ice Cream offers handmade ice cream made with fresh, local ingredients. Location: 4525 S.E. Woodstock Blvd. Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Price of a single-scoop cone: $3
Lovely’s Fifty-Fifty has only about a half dozen ice cream flavors but they are all delicious. They sell pizza too, so it’s one-stop dining. Location: 4039 N Mississippi St. Hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Price of a single-scoop cone: $4
Rose’s Ice Cream has been a Portland favorite since 1950 for its 30+ flavors of ice cream. Burgers, shakes and fries are on the menu too. Location: 5011 NE 42 Ave. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. Price of a single-scoop cone: $2.75
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