If you find yourself craving ice cream a bit more this month, just chill. It’s National Ice Cream Month, and with the average ice cream consumption per year per person in America running around 23 gallons, we all need to do our part, right?
It’s no surprise that vanilla is our favorite flavor, but did you know that 90 percent of Americans admit it’s a staple of their everyday diet? As another way to honor the importance of this annual summer celebration, Louisiana Farm Bureau suggests allowing yourself a small indulgence by enjoying ice cream crafted and served right here in Louisiana.
We include suggestions below from around the state where you can find locally-owned ice cream shops, and one big ice cream maker/distributor. These should help you cool down quicker than a double dip rocky road melts in the summer sun. Enjoy!
Angelo Brocato® Original Italian Ice Cream Parlor
214 N. Carrollton Avenue
New Orleans, Louisiana 70119 (map)
Operated by the Brocato family in New Orleans for more than a century, the Angelo Brocato® Original Italian Ice Cream Parlor is a long-lasting New Orleans tradition. Angelo Brocato opened his store on the 500 block of Ursulines Street in 1905, churning his ice cream by hand. The shop remained in the French Quarter nearly 80 years, surviving the Great Depression and World War II before moving to its present mid-city location. When home freezers became popular, the business expanded into wholesale delivery to area grocers, restaurants, and specialty stores.
Their selections of gelato, biscotti, cannolis, and a wide variety of pastries are available for take-out, email orders, online orders or shopping at these retailers. Visit their shop yourself for an even larger selection of deliciousness that includes whole cakes.
Sweetport
3301 Line Avenue
Shreveport, Louisiana 71104 (maps)
Locally owned and community driven, Sweetport ice cream parlor opened in 2020 in the South Highlands neighborhood of Shreveport. Its handcrafted ice cream lineup includes flavors like Hamel’s Amuse_MINT Park (mint chocolate chip), Muddy Gras (chocolate), and Elvis Has Left the Building (peanut butter ice cream churned with banana bits). They also offer snow cones and ice cream floats.
The theme of the remodeled building, inside and out, is a throwback to the 1950s, intended to be a fun and welcoming gathering place. Visit their website to read about the owners’ journey to open Sweetport and their vintage ice cream truck, named Sweetie.
Beans n’ Cream
94 Versailles Boulevard, Suite J
Alexander, Louisiana 71303 (map)
This family owned and operated gourmet coffee and ice cream shop is a popular Alexandria spot to grab a delicious cup of morning coffee, bring the kids for an after-school snack or just hang out with friends. The ice cream menu reveals eight permanent flavors plus seasonal flavors like red velvet, key lime, and cotton candy. You may also choose from a dozen hot coffee options, eight cold coffee/green tea offerings and side items like muffins, oatmeal, lemon cake, biscotti, brownies, and bagels.
Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe
1103 Jefferson Street
Lafayette, Louisiana 70501 (map)
Enjoy the nostalgia of visiting the world’s last authentic Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Lafayette, built in 1940 at the same location it stands today. The menu hasn’t changed significantly through the years, with everything from chili dogs to malts, shakes to 21 flavors of ice cream. A great place to eat a full meal and always have room for dessert!
New Orleans Ice Cream Company
Inspired by the culture and “flavor” of New Orleans and Louisiana, this handcrafted ice cream has been a popular year ‘round treat since 2006. The New Orleans Ice Cream Company uses only the freshest, all-natural ingredients in its handcrafted, ultra-premium ice cream, available in a dozen unique flavors: café au lait and beignets, Ponchatoula strawberry, chocolate city, Mardi Gras pie, Creole cream cheese, white chocolate bread pudding, mint chocolate cookie, praline crunch, coffee and chicory, Mississippi debris, vanilla bean, and Bananas Foster. You may buy the ice cream online or at any of these local grocers: Albertsons, Rouses Markets, Safeway, Walmart, and Winn-Dixie.
Support Louisiana Farmers with Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance
When you insure your car, home, boat, and more with Louisiana Farm Bureau insurance, you are also helping to support small farmers who provide the fresh, local ingredients used to make delicious ice cream. Get high quality insurance with incredible customer service and support agriculture at the same time. To get started, contact a local agent using our Agent Finder.