Ice Cream or Yogurt Shop

Winner: Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream
ParentMap-pers are just, well, over the moon about Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream and bumped it from finalist last year to the top spot this year. One whiff of those house-made waffle cones and you’ll be hooked. It might not even matter which flavor you choose, but oh, let’s talk about the flavors! Molly keeps us guessing by rotating flavors seasonally, taking requests and pushing the boundaries on what we think should be in ice cream. Consider a scoop of Flagship cheddar ice cream snuggled in a cone or cup with Molly’s signature salted caramel! More of a traditionalist? Can’t-fail favorites like chocolate, vanilla and strawberry are gloriously Molly-fied with Theo chocolate, vanilla bean and local strawberries from Carnation.

Finalists:
Menchie’s has eight locations in Washington, with more on the way. “Outstanding and creative yogurt selections, with amazing toppings that are fresh. The stores are beautiful and clean, and the staff is always upbeat and helpful,” gushes one reader. Kids love mounding on toppings of choice at the self-serve counter, and parents love the price tag. A win-win!

Full Tilt Ice Cream serves up a little something extra — in addition to “amazing ice cream” (including vegan options), customers can enjoy pinball and arcade games. Thirsty adults can quaff beer on tap. In a word — or four — the resulting experience is “cheap, simple, good, funky.” Hang out and play; you know you want to!
 
For a more artisan experience, readers recommend Cold Stone Creamery for its unique approach to ice cream. Cold Stone starts with a “super premium” ice cream made daily in-house and adds custom “mix-ins” while you wait. Invent the flavor of your dreams and watch as skilled hands manipulate your creation on a frozen granite stone. Ice cream bliss awaits. pizza.”