I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Yes, long before this catchy tune about the beloved frozen treat was written in 1927, ice cream has been not just any dessert but the dessert for centuries, with the earliest mentions of the treat dating back to the second century B.C. China. As it made its way across the globe, standing the test of time, it continued to evolve and improve as it became a favorite to all. Eventually, it would make its way to North America, with the first recorded mention of ice cream in the county coming from a letter written in 1744 by a guest of Maryland Governor William Bladen.
With Founding Fathers such as Ben Franklin, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson having been known to regularly consume the frozen delight and serve it to their constituents, its no surprise that ice cream is America’s favorite dessert still today. And here to prove why this timeless treat is still scream-worthy today are these creamy and delicious Wenatchee ice cream shops!
Owl Soda Fountain & Gifts
25 N Wenatchee Avenue, Wenatchee
509.664.7221
Standing the test of time, much like the frozen treats they serve, Owl Soda Fountain & Gifts has been an icon in downtown Wenatchee since 1926. It was then that the local store, which had opened initially as Owl Drug in 1894, added a soda fountain to its pharmacy, cementing itself as a favorite stop for what ails everything from one’s sweet tooth to brain freezes, whether it be caused from sweet treats or natural ailments.
Eventually, Owl Drug closed in 2001, but the soda fountain remained open under the name “The Owl,” selling scoops and gifts. A year later, it found itself under new ownership and a new location just two blocks north of the Grand Central Building. Still, much of the pieces from the original store went with them, including cabinets, counter, stools, and the pharmacy’s original cash register. A kitchen was later established in 2021, allowing the still-thriving ice cream parlor to offer baked goods and an expanded food menu alongside its variety of ice cream treats, from simple scoops to milkshakes and everything in between!
Zully’s
112 N Mission Street, Wenatchee
509.669.2699
With its enduring success, one could say that ice cream sure is on a roll, or at least that’s how local Wenatchee ice cream shop Zully’s would describe it, where they’re offering up hand-rolled ice cream delights made from the freshest real fruit! Owner Esmeralda Juarez perhaps knows better than anyone just how cravable ice cream can be, with the story of Zully’s beginning with her decision to buy a small rolled ice cream machine to make some ice cream at home while pregnant.
After trying various recipes until perfecting her own version of the frozen treat, she then decided to share “all the sweetness on a roll” with the Wenatchee community. Now Esmeralda’s one-of-a-kind, rolled ice cream menu features a wide variety of flavors, from classics like vanilla and cookies & crème to unique creations like Blonde Espresso, Ferrero Rocher, Berry Party, and more!
All-American Ice Cream
511Valley Mall Pwky Suite D1A, Wenatchee
509.888.8245
No mall is complete without a spot with sweet treats, and at the Wenatchee Valley Mall, All-American Ice Cream features some of the best ice cream around. In addition to these scoops of joy, the little mall shop also offers frozen yogurt, smoothies, and other yummy treats ready to satisfy any sweet tooth. Be sure to stop by on Mondays for Double-Punch Day and Tuesdays for $2 Tuesdays!
Ice at Pybus Public Market
7 N Worthen Street, Wenatchee
509.888.4423
The world-renowned expertise of Visconti’s Italian Restaurant doesn’t just stop at the main course; it also extends into their dessert menu! A taste of both these worlds comes to life at Fire & Ice at Pybus Public Market, with Ice taking center stage as Wenatchee’s classic Italian gelateria. Authentic Italian-style gelato is served daily on location, along with crêpes served fresh off the griddle. A must-try on the menu is their world-famous gelato panini, a warm and crispy grilled brioche with a scoop of ice-cold gelato at the center. Talk about happiness served cold!
Legend Designer Ice Cream
159 Valley Mall Pkwy, Wenatchee
509.668.1328
Do you need more than a simple cone to satisfy your ice cream cravings? Head on over to Legend Designer Ice Cream, where they’re making fresh, unique ice cream by the pint full all day, every day! They even use liquid nitrogen to create premium ice cream for unforgettable and decadently creamy batches. The local ice cream shop offers half-pint, pint, and quart options for take-home, along with special-order ice cream cakes. They even bake their own New York cheesecake, make their cookie dough, and bake the triple chocolate Ghirardelli brownies for the ice cream.
Blue Spoon Yogurt
1134 N Miller Street, Wenatchee
509.888.7388
Those in the mood for ice cream’s distant cousin yogurt can get their frozen treat fix at Blue Spoon Yogurt’s Wenatchee or East Wenatchee location. Since 2011, the local dessert bar has provided a fun space for the Wenatchee Valley to enjoy frozen yogurt and other yummy treats such as Lotus Energy and boba drinks. Recently, the local chain even added acai bowls to the menu, making for some sweet-tooth-worthy meals that are totally healthy too!
Truly the crème de la crème, with so many ice cream parlors offering a variety of delicious and decadent ice cream options, varieties, and flavors here in Wenatchee, it is easy to see why ice cream is the past, present, and most likely, future favorite dessert in all of North America!
