25 ice cream spots in the Detroit area you should have tried by now

The existential dread you're feeling? Well, while we may not be able to fill the void of uncertainty, but we can suggest a solution: ice cream.

We know what you're thinking: how can a delicious frozen, sprinkle-covered, chocolate-dipped confectionary treat provide clarity so that we may live a healthier, more zen AF life? While not all of these questions have answers, we do have 25 essential metro Detroit ice cream, frozen custard, and totally out there frozen concoctions to freeze your wandering mind and your woes. For the traditionalists, there's homemade ice cream and custard in classic flavors. For those looking to step it up a notch, you know, true anarchy, there's liquid nitrogen ice cream or totally wild flavors, like margarita, lavender, and green tea. Then, for the maximalist, there's sky-high, totally stacked Frankenstein-style treats, loaded with cereal, pastry, churros, and, in one case, a cone made out of a doughnut. Vegans, you can get your lick on, too, as many of these spots offer dairy-free ice cream and sorbet options. Dig in.

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25 ice cream spots in the Detroit area you should have tried by now
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Treat Dreams
22965 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-544-3440 | 4160 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-818-0084; treatdreamsde.com
Treat Dreams prides itself on offering a variety of esoteric flavors. Some of their more, um, interesting past options include jalapeño and mac and cheese. They also often provide vegan options made of rice milk or soy milk, including sorbet. Since Treat Dreams rotates its offerings every week, we can't tell you what will be there when you stop in. But one thing you can count on is brain freeze. Delicious, perfect, creamy brain freeze. Oh, and salted caramel. Treat Dreams signature flavor is always on deck.
Photo via Treat Dreams/Facebook

Treat Dreams


22965 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-544-3440 | 4160 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-818-0084; treatdreamsde.com
Treat Dreams prides itself on offering a variety of esoteric flavors. Some of their more, um, interesting past options include jalapeño and mac and cheese. They also often provide vegan options made of rice milk or soy milk, including sorbet. Since Treat Dreams rotates its offerings every week, we can't tell you what will be there when you stop in. But one thing you can count on is brain freeze. Delicious, perfect, creamy brain freeze. Oh, and salted caramel. Treat Dreams signature flavor is always on deck.

Photo via Treat Dreams/Facebook
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Ashby’s Sterling of Grosse Pointe
20081 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods; 313-886-2560; ashbysicecream.com
Since 1984, Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream has been raking in awards and dishing out the goods. When we say “goods” we mean ice cream flavors like Amaretto cherry, Majestic Milkyway, Playdough, Nana's Banana Puddin', and the deliciously frustrating Michigan Pot Hole.
Photo via Ashby’s Sterling of Grosse Pointe/Facebook

Ashby’s Sterling of Grosse Pointe

20081 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods; 313-886-2560; ashbysicecream.com
Since 1984, Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream has been raking in awards and dishing out the goods. When we say “goods” we mean ice cream flavors like Amaretto cherry, Majestic Milkyway, Playdough, Nana's Banana Puddin', and the deliciously frustrating Michigan Pot Hole.

Photo via Ashby’s Sterling of Grosse Pointe/Facebook
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Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store
32808 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 248-565-1071 | 6854 Rochester Rd., Troy; 248-250-9574; oberweis.com
Dair-we ask if you love ice cream? Grab some Lactaid before heading to this classic ice cream paradise. Oberweis is a regional Midwestern chain mostly based in Illinois. Their motto? “Stop when you smell the waffle cone.” The only way we’ll stop is when we feel like puking because we thought three scoops of Birthday Cake flavored ice cream was an Ober-wise idea. Try to control yourselves!
Photo via Oberweis/Facebook

Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store


32808 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 248-565-1071 | 6854 Rochester Rd., Troy; 248-250-9574; oberweis.com
Dair-we ask if you love ice cream? Grab some Lactaid before heading to this classic ice cream paradise. Oberweis is a regional Midwestern chain mostly based in Illinois. Their motto? “Stop when you smell the waffle cone.” The only way we’ll stop is when we feel like puking because we thought three scoops of Birthday Cake flavored ice cream was an Ober-wise idea. Try to control yourselves!

Photo via Oberweis/Facebook
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Ray's Ice Cream
4233 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak; 888-549-5256; raysicecream.com
Kicking it old school since 1958, Ray’s Ice Cream in Royal Oak has the retro soda shop vibe with the tasty and timeless in-house-made treats that come in 50 flavors like Coffee & Heath, Pumpkin Pie, White Russian, Cinnamon Almond, and Fat Elvis.
Photo via Ray’s Ice Cream/Facebook

Ray's Ice Cream


4233 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak; 888-549-5256; raysicecream.com
Kicking it old school since 1958, Ray’s Ice Cream in Royal Oak has the retro soda shop vibe with the tasty and timeless in-house-made treats that come in 50 flavors like Coffee & Heath, Pumpkin Pie, White Russian, Cinnamon Almond, and Fat Elvis.

Photo via Ray’s Ice Cream/Facebook
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Custard Hut
25947 W. Warren St., Dearborn Heights; 313-278-5577; Facebook.com/thecustardhut
We’re pretty sure Leslie Knope herself would die if she took a bite out of Custard Hut’s waffle custard sandwiches. Take some delicious waffles, slap some cake batter and Nutella on that bad boy, toss some strawberries, sprinkles, or breakfast cereal, and you’ve got yourself the treat we never knew we needed. They offer an array of non-waffle, soft serve options, all of which you can swirl together for a twisty, tasty cone. Peanut butter, hazelnut, red velvet, pistachio, and toasted coconut are among those flavors up for grabs and licks. 
Photo via Custard Hut/Facebook

Custard Hut


25947 W. Warren St., Dearborn Heights; 313-278-5577; Facebook.com/thecustardhut
We’re pretty sure Leslie Knope herself would die if she took a bite out of Custard Hut’s waffle custard sandwiches. Take some delicious waffles, slap some cake batter and Nutella on that bad boy, toss some strawberries, sprinkles, or breakfast cereal, and you’ve got yourself the treat we never knew we needed. They offer an array of non-waffle, soft serve options, all of which you can swirl together for a twisty, tasty cone. Peanut butter, hazelnut, red velvet, pistachio, and toasted coconut are among those flavors up for grabs and licks.

Photo via Custard Hut/Facebook
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Erma’s Original Frozen Custard
6451 Auburn Rd., Shelby Township; 586-254-3080 | 2080 14 Mile Rd., Warren; 586-275-2447 | 28840 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-275-2447; ermascustard.com
For 75 years, Erma’s has been dishing, er, squeezing, out delicious frozen custard. What originated as a little roadside stand in Utica is now a must-slurp spot. In addition to the regular offerings, Erma's serves up three weekly flavors that rotate throughout the season. One of them is always a Dole soft serve made with fruit juice instead of dairy for the vegans who want in on the action.
Photo via Erma’s Original Frozen Custard/Facebook

Erma’s Original Frozen Custard


6451 Auburn Rd., Shelby Township; 586-254-3080 | 2080 14 Mile Rd., Warren; 586-275-2447 | 28840 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-275-2447; ermascustard.com
For 75 years, Erma’s has been dishing, er, squeezing, out delicious frozen custard. What originated as a little roadside stand in Utica is now a must-slurp spot. In addition to the regular offerings, Erma's serves up three weekly flavors that rotate throughout the season. One of them is always a Dole soft serve made with fruit juice instead of dairy for the vegans who want in on the action.

Photo via Erma’s Original Frozen Custard/Facebook
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Taylor Queen Ice Cream Shop
25650 Ecorse Rd., Taylor; 734-776-9999; taylorqueen.business.site
Not all royalty live in castles, some live in big red barns filled with delicious ice cream. No, this isn’t a fairytale — this is Taylor Queen Ice Cream Shop, which specializes in, well, specialty sundaes like the peanut buster, which is loaded with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, butterscotch, chopped nuts, whipped cream, and a cherry, duh.
Photo via Taylor Queen Ice Cream Shop/Facebook

Taylor Queen Ice Cream Shop


25650 Ecorse Rd., Taylor; 734-776-9999; taylorqueen.business.site
Not all royalty live in castles, some live in big red barns filled with delicious ice cream. No, this isn’t a fairytale — this is Taylor Queen Ice Cream Shop, which specializes in, well, specialty sundaes like the peanut buster, which is loaded with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, butterscotch, chopped nuts, whipped cream, and a cherry, duh.

Photo via Taylor Queen Ice Cream Shop/Facebook
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The Split
532 E. Nine Mile Rd., Hazel Park; 248-571-2064;  the-split.business.site
We can’t do the splits, but goddamn it, can we eat one. And where better to destroy one than at Hazel Park’s The Split, an old-school ice cream shop? 
It's the kind of place that has a banana split, a decidedly retro ice cream treat, as a namesake. They’ve got soft serve up the wazoo and offer other classics like Boston coolers, floats, parfaits and sundaes. They also offer Italian ice for the non-dairy folk and some non-dairy ice cream bars.
Photo via The Split/Facebook

The Split


532 E. Nine Mile Rd., Hazel Park; 248-571-2064; the-split.business.site
We can’t do the splits, but goddamn it, can we eat one. And where better to destroy one than at Hazel Park’s The Split, an old-school ice cream shop? It's the kind of place that has a banana split, a decidedly retro ice cream treat, as a namesake. They’ve got soft serve up the wazoo and offer other classics like Boston coolers, floats, parfaits and sundaes. They also offer Italian ice for the non-dairy folk and some non-dairy ice cream bars.

Photo via The Split/Facebook
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Bob Jo's Frozen Custard
4071 Fort St., Wyandotte; 734-282-6818; facebook.com/bobjosfrozencustard
Bob Jo’s has been operating since the 1950s as a classic roadside custard and yogurt haven. There are 25 special flavors available as well as traditional faves like a vanilla-chocolate twist dipped in sprinkles. Photo via Bob Jo’s Frozen Custard/Facebook

Bob Jo's Frozen Custard


4071 Fort St., Wyandotte; 734-282-6818; facebook.com/bobjosfrozencustard
Bob Jo’s has been operating since the 1950s as a classic roadside custard and yogurt haven. There are 25 special flavors available as well as traditional faves like a vanilla-chocolate twist dipped in sprinkles.

Photo via Bob Jo’s Frozen Custard/Facebook
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Cold Truth 
4240 Cass Ave., Suite 100, Detroit; 313-680-1199; coldtruthsoftserve.com
Do you swear to tell the truth, the Cold Truth, and nothing but the Cold Truth, so help your brain freeze? OK, so not only does this Midtown soft serve joint offer out-of-the-box flavors like black sesame with strawberry balsamic drizzle, lavender, and black vanilla, but they always offer non-dairy options. Like, always. It’s kind of their thing and damn do they do it well. 
Photo via Cold Truth/Facebook

Cold Truth

4240 Cass Ave., Suite 100, Detroit; 313-680-1199; coldtruthsoftserve.com
Do you swear to tell the truth, the Cold Truth, and nothing but the Cold Truth, so help your brain freeze? OK, so not only does this Midtown soft serve joint offer out-of-the-box flavors like black sesame with strawberry balsamic drizzle, lavender, and black vanilla, but they always offer non-dairy options. Like, always. It’s kind of their thing and damn do they do it well.

Photo via Cold Truth/Facebook
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Family Treat
2010 Springwells St., Detroit; 313-841-3522; 313rd.com/biz/family-treats
Put a damn churro on it. This southwest Detroit staple is a must for anyone with a taste for treats. Corn dogs, hot dogs, and tacos are among some of the savory treats. But where Family Treat excels is the sweet stuff, like soft-serve with hardshell dips, sundaes, shakes, and, of course, the churro treat. 
Photo via Family Treat/Facebook

Family Treat


2010 Springwells St., Detroit; 313-841-3522; 313rd.com/biz/family-treats
Put a damn churro on it. This southwest Detroit staple is a must for anyone with a taste for treats. Corn dogs, hot dogs, and tacos are among some of the savory treats. But where Family Treat excels is the sweet stuff, like soft-serve with hardshell dips, sundaes, shakes, and, of course, the churro treat.

Photo via Family Treat/Facebook
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Garrido’s Bistro and Pastry 
19605 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe; 313-466-3042;  garridosbistro.com 
Go big or go cone. While this restaurant has food which we’re sure is great (OK, we know its great, they’ve been featured on the Travel Channel), they’ve made a name for themselves for their insane, towering, gravity-defying treat displays that are as photographable as they are stomachache-inducing-ly good. However, these freak shakes are not technically on the menu, wink wink. 
Photo via Garridos Bistro and Pastry/Facebook

Garrido’s Bistro and Pastry


19605 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe; 313-466-3042; garridosbistro.com
Go big or go cone. While this restaurant has food which we’re sure is great (OK, we know its great, they’ve been featured on the Travel Channel), they’ve made a name for themselves for their insane, towering, gravity-defying treat displays that are as photographable as they are stomachache-inducing-ly good. However, these freak shakes are not technically on the menu, wink wink.

Photo via 13 of 26
Guernsey Farms Dairy Family Style Restaurant
21300 Novi Rd., Northville; 248-349-1466; guernseyfarmsdairy.com
Cow-to-carton sounds, well, a little gross to be honest, but for 75 years, Guernsey Farms Dairy has been crafting delicious — and fresh — small-batch ice cream and other dairy products. The newly-renovated spot in Northville offers to-go grocery items like chocolate milk, skim milk, probiotic milk, sour cream, and chip dip.  
Photo via Guernsey Farms Dairy/Facebook

Guernsey Farms Dairy Family Style Restaurant

21300 Novi Rd., Northville; 248-349-1466;
guernseyfarmsdairy.com
Cow-to-carton sounds, well, a little gross to be honest, but for 75 years, Guernsey Farms Dairy has been crafting delicious — and fresh — small-batch ice cream and other dairy products. The newly-renovated spot in Northville offers to-go grocery items like chocolate milk, skim milk, probiotic milk, sour cream, and chip dip.

Photo via Guernsey Farms Dairy/Facebook
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Jim’s Frostie Treats
1528 E. Eleven Mile Rd., Royal Oak; 248-399-7919; jimsfrostietreats.com
We don’t know who Jim is, but this guy knows his stuff. This Royal Oak spot with a life-sized Superman out front is saving our sugar-fiending hearts with ice cream, banana splits, floats, coolers, shakes, brownies, parfaits, slush freezes, sundaes, “Jimbo bars,” and fully loaded cream puffs. 
Photo via Jim’s Frostie Treats/Facebook

Jim’s Frostie Treats


1528 E. Eleven Mile Rd., Royal Oak; 248-399-7919; jimsfrostietreats.com
We don’t know who Jim is, but this guy knows his stuff. This Royal Oak spot with a life-sized Superman out front is saving our sugar-fiending hearts with ice cream, banana splits, floats, coolers, shakes, brownies, parfaits, slush freezes, sundaes, “Jimbo bars,” and fully loaded cream puffs.

Photo via Jim’s Frostie Treats/Facebook
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Screamers
44666 Mound Rd., Sterling Heights; 586-254-1414; goscreamers.com
Let’s friggin’ rage, dude. Screamers in Sterling Heights is where it’s at if you’re craving some seriously good frozen yogurt and custard. No frills, just screams. 
Photo via Screamers/Facebook

Screamers


44666 Mound Rd., Sterling Heights; 586-254-1414; goscreamers.com
Let’s friggin’ rage, dude. Screamers in Sterling Heights is where it’s at if you’re craving some seriously good frozen yogurt and custard. No frills, just screams.

Photo via Screamers/Facebook
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Browndog Creamery & Dessert Bar 
120 E. Main St., Northville; 248-615-2955; browndogcreamery.com 
Bad dog! Oh, we mean Brown Dog! All of this small batch craft ice cream has us barking mad. Don’t expect your traditional scoops, as Brown Dog offers an experimental selection of flavors like matcha green tea, peach lavender, pistachio stracciatella, golden milk, beekeeper (honey infused with honeycomb candy), blood orange, coconut ice, and early grey with a shortbread cookie. For the boozehounds, there’s Irish coffee, margarita Sorbet, strawberry champagne sorbet, and elderflower with prosecco sorbet. Oh, yeah — as if it couldn’t get any better, here are vegan options, too. 
Photo via Brown Dog Creamery/Facebook

Browndog Creamery & Dessert Bar


120 E. Main St., Northville; 248-615-2955; browndogcreamery.com
Bad dog! Oh, we mean Brown Dog! All of this small batch craft ice cream has us barking mad. Don’t expect your traditional scoops, as Brown Dog offers an experimental selection of flavors like matcha green tea, peach lavender, pistachio stracciatella, golden milk, beekeeper (honey infused with honeycomb candy), blood orange, coconut ice, and early grey with a shortbread cookie. For the boozehounds, there’s Irish coffee, margarita Sorbet, strawberry champagne sorbet, and elderflower with prosecco sorbet. Oh, yeah — as if it couldn’t get any better, here are vegan options, too.

Photo via Brown Dog Creamery/Facebook
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Mangonadas Del Barrio
1210 Lawndale St., Detroit; 313-724-6074; 313rd.com/biz/family-treats
There’s always money in the chocobanana stand. A southwest Detroit favorite is home of the Mangonada, a frozen spicy Mexican fruit drink, but it also offers some incredibly over the top frozen treats and ice cream options. Perhaps the soul of the ice cream offerings is a chocobanana split. 
Photo via Mangonadas Del Barrio/Facebook

Mangonadas Del Barrio


1210 Lawndale St., Detroit; 313-724-6074; 313rd.com/biz/family-treats
There’s always money in the chocobanana stand. A southwest Detroit favorite is home of the Mangonada, a frozen spicy Mexican fruit drink, but it also offers some incredibly over the top frozen treats and ice cream options. Perhaps the soul of the ice cream offerings is a chocobanana split.

Photo via Mangonadas Del Barrio/Facebook
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Doug’s Delight
1108, 23110 John R. St., Hazel Park; 248-307-7970; mmitalianbeef.com 
We would like to meet this Doug guy because of this in-house made ice cream shop in Hazel Park. They’ve recently teamed up with Matt and Moe’s Italian Beef so you can get a Chicago-style dog before you load up on floats, coolers, sundaes, cones, ice cream sandwiches, and shakes.  
Photo via Custard Hut/Facebook

Doug’s Delight


1108, 23110 John R. St., Hazel Park; 248-307-7970; mmitalianbeef.com
We would like to meet this Doug guy because of this in-house made ice cream shop in Hazel Park. They’ve recently teamed up with Matt and Moe’s Italian Beef so you can get a Chicago-style dog before you load up on floats, coolers, sundaes, cones, ice cream sandwiches, and shakes.

Photo via Custard Hut/Facebook
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Washtenaw Dairy
602 S. Ashley St., Ann Arbor; 834-662-3244; washtenawdairy.com 
For 85 years, Washtenaw Dairy has held it down in Ann Arbor with a selection of more than 50 flavors spanning caramel pretzel crunch, birthday cake, and something called pirates treasure. They have doughnuts, too, so don’t be shy when slapping one on top of your cone creation.
Photo via Washtenaw Dairy/Facebook

Washtenaw Dairy


602 S. Ashley St., Ann Arbor; 834-662-3244; washtenawdairy.com
For 85 years, Washtenaw Dairy has held it down in Ann Arbor with a selection of more than 50 flavors spanning caramel pretzel crunch, birthday cake, and something called pirates treasure. They have doughnuts, too, so don’t be shy when slapping one on top of your cone creation.

Photo via Washtenaw Dairy/Facebook
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