Best Places for Ice Cream, Frozen Treats in DFW

Until last year I didn't realize that the "31" in Baskin Robbins' logo represented a flavor for every day of the month. So many choices, so little time. BR's top-selling Mint Chocolate Chip and Pralines 'n Cream continue to delight millions worldwide. Five classic flavors are being retired in order to create more frozen treats. The five are French Vanilla, Caramel Praline Cheesecake, S’mores, Apple Pie a La Mode and Superfudge Truffle. The retiring flavors will be available only until supplies last so stock your freezer if this is one of your favorites.

Locations: Allen, Arlington, Carrollton, Coppell, Dallas, Euless, Frisco, Flower Mound, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Little Elm, Mansfield, McKinney, Murphy, Plano, Richardson, Southlake

Braum's believes in offering wholesome, quality products that are 100% rBGH (hormone) free. Braum's offers a variety of frozen products including premium ice cream, light ice cream, frozen yogurt, sugar-free ice cream, sherbert, carb-watch ice cream and frozen snacks. Dine in and drive-through service available. Braum's Fresh Market offers 150 fresh meats, vegetables, dairy and bakery products in addition to made-to-order burgers.

Locations: Many locations throughout the Metroplex. 

Coolhaus is an ice cream sandwich shop on wheels. I was lucky enough to get a bite or two of a Coolhaus treat when I was at Klyde Warren Park recently. My daughter loved the vanilla bean ice cream sandwiched between two red velvet cookies. So did I. Planning a corporate event or big party? They even cater. How cool is that? Check this out: Gluten Free Coconut Almond. Vegan Chocolate Truffle. How great is that? Everyone loves Coolhaus!

Frozen custard is actually a gourmet ice cream treat which originated on Coney Island in New York at the turn of the century. It consists of more egg yolks being added to the mix resulting in a smooth, rich taste that replicates the hand-churning method. Freddy's custard is made fresh throughout each day.

The Lingo: The "Concrete" is a blend of ice cream and toppings.

Locations:
Euless, 2820 State Hwy 121, Euless, TX  76039
Highland Village, 3040 Justin Road, Highland Village, TX 75077
Frisco, 2550 Preston Road, Frisco, TX 75034

Homemade, superpremium ice cream, combined with your favorite "mixin", then piled high on a fresh-baked waffle cone.

Most Popular: Memorial Day Madness. It's Sweet Cream Ice Cream mixed with mint patties, chocolate sprinkles and fudge. This gourmet combination of delicious chocolate and mint flavors is perfect prelude to an amazing summer and it's good the entire summer. And Fall. And Winter.

Locations: Arlington, Burleson, Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Colleyville, Coppell, Dallas, Fort Worth, Flower Mound, Garland, Grand Prairie, Irving, Little Elm, McKinney, Mesquite, Watauga, Waxahachie

I'm a fan of the self-serve, choose-your-own topping, get every kind of fro-yo there is sort of place. Orange Leaf is a cool place (no pun intended) where you can even get money back if you register in their loyalty program. That's right for every $1 you spend, you get points and $1 back after you get 10 points (it's really easy to get 10 points, trust me) with extra points on your birthday!

I'm currently a fan of the pistachio, but I'm also in love with the peanut butter fro-yo. It's made with real PB. Mix it with chocolate (sugar free or brownie batter) and you have a PERFECT combo in my humble opinion. My daughter is a huge fan and they usually have sugar-free chocolate or vanilla (we try to restrict her sugar intake near bedtime especially!). Fresh fruit or candy toppings make it perfect!

Locations in Frisco, Coppell, McKinney, Lake Worth and Wylie.

Paciugo is a Dallas-based Italian gelaterie (gelato shop). Not only is it absolutely delicious, their milk-based gelato has 50-70 percent less fat than premium ice cream but with all the taste. The fruit-based gelato is fat free. Hint: Take it home and add your favorite spirits to create the perfect after-dinner adult beverage. Stores offer 32-38 different flavors daily but the company has 340 total. Hope I show up when they are serving Chocolate Coconut Rum. 

The Lingo: It's pronounced pah-CHOO-go. It's an Italian dialect from Portofino meaning "messy concoction."

Locations: Addison, Arlington, Cedar Hill, Dallas, Irving, Fairview, Frisco, Fort Worth, Grapevine, McKinney, Plano. Coming Soon to Hurst and Mesquite (Fall/Winter 2010).

I think the biggest thing going for Pinkberry right now is not the triple-digit temps, but the fact that it made it into a couple of episodes of HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm." That Larry David is a genius.

Otherwise, if you're into a healthier snacking routine, Pinkberry is certified by the National Yogurt Association to carry the Live & Active Cultures Seal. TMI? Don't worry. It's awesome. Can't make it to one of their stores? They will come to you. They cater.

Locations: Arlington, Dallas (Greenville, Preston Royal, Uptown)

Talk about an addiction. Cookies + ice cream = perfection in my book.

Park Cities Plaza, 3034 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, Texas 75205. 214-987-1200.

Purple Kiwi offers a delicious array of low-fat and non-fat frozen yogurt and non-dairy sorbet. It's self-serve, sold by the ounce, and you top it yourself. I love California Tart, Frozen Lemonade, and Pomegranate non-fat frozen yogurts taste amazing. The Birthday Cake Yogurt is even better than you can imagine -- and it's fat-free! How is that even possible? Skip the cake; eat the fro-yo!

Location: 3333 Preston Road, Suite 108, Frisco, TX 75034.

Legendary! Wild About Harry's is famous for it's frozen custard and hot dogs. It's a totally fun place, perfect for kids, with a wide variety of shakes and espressos, you'll find something delicious for sure. And yes, you can get decaf with soy milk too.

The Lingo: The "Concrete" is a blend of frozen custard with your favorite toppings.

Location: 3113 Knox St, Dallas, TX 75205

Frozen Custard must contain at least 10% butterfat and 1.4% egg yolk. Traditional ice cream must contain 10% butterfat only. Frozen Custard is creamier and smoother than conventional soft-serve products because it contains less air. It's delicious any way you look at it. They will also cater your birthday party or corporate event.

Locations: Fort Worth Location, 7630 N Beach St #166, Fort Worth, TX 76137
Hurst Location, 124 Grapevine Highway, Suite F, Hurst, TX 76054 (Drive Thru Location)

Yo! Frozen Yogurt Lounge is the ultimate in dessert destinations. They are committed to serving 100% all-natural frozen yogurt which claim numerous health benefits. The yogurt is made with the highest quality ingredients and is specially blended for a smooth and creamy taste. Yo! offers 12 flavors daily along with over 30 toppings from fresh seasonal fruits to candies and chocolates.

Location: TCU Campus, 3021 University Drive South, Fort Worth, Texas 76109

With flavors like cinnamon oreo crunch, rum raisin and cake batter, why wouldn't this be on the list of DFW favorites?!

Locations: Southlake Town Square, 1417 Main, Southlake
The Village at Colleyville, 33 Main Street, Suite 100, Colleyville

While there may be at least one SONIC in every suburb in the DFW area, let's not look past two very important items. First, they upgraded their ingredients and SONIC now serves only 100% real ice cream. Second, you can get a 99 cent sundae after 8 p.m. (special price through Labor Day). Choose from caramel, strawberry, hot fudge, chocolate or pineapple.

I have to admit -- the Sonic Blast with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups is pretty good.

Chances are you can find a Sonic in every city in DFW.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Vote in my poll. Don't forget to celebrate National Ice Cream Month.