It’s that time of year again when checking the weather forecast comes with a little bit of dread. But while the thought of triple-digit temperatures and heat indexes may send a chill down your spine, there’s still lots of seasonal fun to be had, so we’ll be facing the dog days of summer with a frozen treat in each hand.
When you need a break from the scorching Arkansas heat, reach for one of these nearby favorites to help keep you cool on your local adventures.
► If you’re craving frozen custard, The Original ScoopDog is a no-brainer. This NLR shop serves up scoops, quarts, concretes, sundaes, malts and more, all with a long list of toppings and all with the ScoopDog custard that has kept customers coming back for decades.
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► Speaking of long lists of flavors, no summer is complete without a stop at Cajun Sno, the iconic snow cone shack in Hillcrest. They may only be open seasonally, but they make up for it with more flavors and flavor combinations than you can eat in one summer. And yes, that is a challenge.
Not in Hillcrest? Here’s where else to get your snow cone fix in the metro.
► Need a quick cool down that won’t slow you down? Swing by Le Pops Gourmet Ice Lollies in The Heights. These popsicles are great to take on the go and are known for their unexpected flavors.
► Nothing tastes as sweet as nostalgia. The Purple Cow diner has been a staple in the metro for more than 30 years, and so have its soda fountain treats. The sundaes, splits and pies are all worth sampling, but there’s just something about that sippable purple vanilla that we just can’t, ahem, shake.
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► When the heat already has you zapped first thing in the morning, you need a little chill with your caffeine. That’s where The Dark Side Coffee Co. comes in with its customizable frappés, bringing the local frozen espresso game to JFK. It’s kind of like dessert for breakfast, but we won’t tell if you won’t.
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► In the South, summer temps don’t break for happy hour. Sip accordingly from The Fold‘s frozen cocktail menu. You can’t lose with one of their fan favorite margaritas, and the frozen piña colada is a must-try.
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► For the times you want a cold treat, but not exactly ice cream, look to ice cream’s cousin from across the pond. A heaping scoop of refreshing Italian gelato will always hit the spot, especially when scooping from the divine seasonal offerings at ZaZa Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co.
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► And of course, when nothing else will hit the spot like a scoop of ice cream, head to the Loblolly Creamery scoop shop in SoMa. Fresh ingredients and local inspiration have made Loblolly a smash hit, and their constantly rotating flavors make each cone (bowl, float, etc.) a dream.
Bonus: If you haven’t tried the Hot Springs-based Scoops Homemade Ice Cream that opened on Broadway earlier this year, here’s what you’re missing.
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A version of this article was originally published in the July 2021 issue of Little Rock Soirée.