What’s the scoop? Local ice cream shops share top flavors

July 19 marks a very important day for the country. It’s National Ice Cream Day — a proclamation that deserves lots of celebration in our opinion.

This observation dates back to 1984, when President Ronald Reagan designated the third Sunday of July to celebrate America’s favorite frozen summer treat.

In honor of the occasion, we decided to hit some of the region’s favorite ice cream shops to get the scoop on their most popular flavors.

Juniper Carr of Tilly’s Homemade Ice Cream scoops their fan favorite banana pudding. (Photo by Tyrone Brown)

Tilly’s Homemade Ice Cream 

Tilly’s is a Stafford-based ice cream shop, known for their delicious locally made selections. They have many popular flavors, including banana pudding, butter brickle, and salted caramel latte, although the top recommendation from owner Sarah Jennings was Golden Oreo, which she says is even better when mixed with chocolate.

215 Kings Hwy, Suite 101, Stafford

Instagram @tillyshomemadeicecream

Facebook: Tilly’s Homemade Ice Cream

Alexis Wiley of Blue Cow Ice Cream scoops up a cup of its banana pudding flavored ice cream. (Photo by Tyrone Brown)

Blue Cow Ice Cream Co.

Blue Cow is a downtown ice cream spot with multiple locations across Virginia. This shop is an old favorite among Fredericksburg ice cream lovers, as can be clearly seen by the line that often snakes out the door. Their top flavor is sea salt brickle with caramel swirl. 

607 William St., Fredericksburg

Instagram: @bluecowicecream.

Facebook: Blue Cow Ice Cream Co. (FXBG Downtown)

Ube (left) and pandan (right) ice cream at Chunky Cup. (Photo courtesy Chunky Cup)

Chunky Cup Bubble Tea and Ice Cream 

Eagle Village’s recently opened Chunky Cup is a new spot to satisfy your summer ice cream cravings. Chunky Cup is a bubble tea shop with locations in Woodbridge, Stafford and Fredericksburg. Beyond just bubble tea, they offer a wide selection of unique ice cream flavors, the most popular being their ube crunch.

1211 Emancipation Hwy, Fredericksburg

Instagram: @chunkycup_bubble tea

Facebook: Chunky Cup 

Superman is a top flavor at Kilwins. (Photo courtesy Kilwins)

Kilwins 

Kilwins is a nationally loved ice cream and fudge shop, with a brand new location right here in downtown Fredericksburg. The top local flavor is their Superman ice cream, a swirl of bright blue, red and yellow that is almost as fun to look at as it is to eat. Chocolate lovers have nothing to fear; Kilwins has a flavor for everyone, as other top selections include Kilwins Mud, cookies and cream and chocolate chip cookie dough. 

721 Caroline St, Fredericksburg

Instagram: @kilwinsfredericksburg

Facebook: Kilwins Fredericksburg 

Gibson’s Soft Serve

Gibson’s chocolate-vanilla swirl. (Photo courtesy of Gibson’s)

Gibson’s Soft Serve is a family-owned and operated ice cream shop in Bowling Green. Known for delicious soft serve, their top flavor is a chocolate and vanilla swirl. Gibson’s celebrates National Ice Cream Day with free face painting and a kids’ craft station from 2-5 p.m., giveaways and a special dirt sundae served in a limited-edition keepsake cup (July 19, open 2-9 p.m.).

101 S Main St., Bowling Green 

Instagram: @gibsonssoftserve 

Facebook: Gibson Soft Serve 

Cookie Monster ice cream scooped by Camila Escobar at Abner B’s. (Photo by Tyrone Brown)

Abner B’s Ice Cream Company

Abner Butterfield (aka Abner B’s) is a classic Fredericksburg scoop shop with a rotating selection of 120 locally made ice cream, sorbet and sherbet flavors from an original catalog of recipes. Because of this rotation, Abner B’s claims there isn’t a “top” flavor, but rather, owner Ed Wright encourages customers to sample the variety of flavors and decide for themselves. 

Some of the most popular scoops among customers include cherry lemon cheesecake, banana crème pie, double coffee chip, coconut crème pie, molasses ginger snap, Bowman small batch bourbon, and maple walnut.

For those looking for a refreshing summer option in this July heat, Abner’s brand-new mango lemonade sorbet whip sounds like it will hit the spot. 

821 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg (downtown)

1630 Publix Way, Ste 116, Stafford (Embry Mill)

Instagram: @abnerbicecream 

Facebook: Abner Butterfield’s Ice Cream Company  

Bill Freehling with Ramona Settle at Carl’s. (File photo)

Carl’s Frozen Custard

Carl’s is an iconic Fredericksburg ice cream and custard stand whose famous neon sign has been glowing since 1947. Their most popular flavor is vanilla, as it is commonly used to make sundaes; however, their most popular menu items are the hot fudge sundae and chocolate shake.

To hear more about Carl’s and their rich history, check out this interview Biz Beat reporter Bill Freehling did with co-owner Ramona Settle.

2200 Princess Anne St, Fredericksburg

Instagram @carlsfrozencustard 

Facebook: Carl’s Frozen Custard