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Wisconsin, the land of cheese. To make the cheese, a great deal of milk is produced. What other tasty treat requires milk? Ice cream. I could not visit “America’s Dairyland” and skip indulging in Wisconsin Ice Cream.
Our Wisconsin Ice Cream adventure, encompasses shops located in Eau Claire, County.
Residing in the Philadelphia area, I am no stranger to food rivalry. Ask a local their favorite cheesesteak, and you will receive passionate monologues. When people in the Eau Claire area, discover I am an ice cream enthusiast, I listen to fervent opinions over which Eau Claire, Wisconsin Ice Cream, is the best.
I learn Wisconsin takes ice cream seriously. It’s a bit of a sporting event.
Cue the Rocky Theme.
Olson’s – Reigning Champion
Olson’s is a Wisconsin Ice Cream, legacy. A family business, officially established in 1944. Though Olson’s is no longer owned and operated by an Olson, the current owner, continues to churn out ice cream made from the original recipes.
I am going to give a shout out to Scott Richards, a friend we made at the TBEX conference. Shannon and I bonded with Scott during our Menomonie, Wisconsin tour. Scott is a milkshake enthusiast, so he joins us as our partner in Wisconsin Ice Cream crime.
Check out his website: omiah-travelogandtips.com
Instagram: oldmaninahattravellogandtips
Olson’s has a large selection of flavors.
Being our first visit, it’s hard to choose. I go with the Mackinac Island Fudge, as I remembered liking the flavor when I visited Kilwins ice cream in Williamsburg. For my second scoop, I pick the Salted Caramel Cashew. The fudge is yummy, but the Salted Caramel Cashew is where it’s at. The ice cream is nice and creamy, my favorite ice cream texture. The amount of cashews is satisfying. I can taste why they continue to be a Wisconsin Ice Cream, legacy.
Scott orders a chocolate milkshake and finds that Olson’s creates milkshakes the old-fashioned way, with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup. Though the vanilla ice cream is fantastic quality, it might not satiate you if you are craving a decadent chocolaty milkshake.
Shannon voted Olson’s his favorite ice cream of the trip.
Ramone’s-The Challenger
Ramone’s does not make their own ice cream, but sells The Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, based in Madison. It still counts as Wisconsin Ice Cream, and multiple people expound their love for Ramone’s over Olson’s, so I feel I must weigh-in.
Ramone’s scores points for charm.
The servers wearing bow ties, the beautiful stained glass, give the shop, an old-timey touch. The decorative details are enjoyed by our ice cream eating crew.
I’m excited to see that Ramone’s has a peanut butter flavor. It’s called, Fat Elvis, and includes banana ice cream, “all shook up,” with salty peanut butter ripple and rich chocolate chips. My peanut butter heart is happy.
If you have never been to a TBEX conference, know that you can start to lose steam by the last day. With one final party to attend, my second scoop is the much needed, Iced Latte-Da. Espresso ice cream with a fudge swirl, and chocolate chips. This is also the flavor chosen by the rest of the ice cream trio. Scott gets the Latte-Da milkshake. The shake comes with chocolate covered espresso beans, which he graciously shares. We appreciate the creative flavor combinations and ice cream names, but Ramone’s doesn’t quite match the ultra-creamy texture we experience at other Wisconsin Ice Cream shops.
The ice cream does fulfill its mission. By the time we arrive to the party at River Prairie Park, we are well caffeinated for night.
Casey’s Creamery-The Underdog
I am an introvert. The TBEX conference coaxes me out of my comfort zone. Fueled by getting-out-of-my-shell determination, I make two unexpected choices at Casey’s Creamery.
- I pick the chocolate (chocolate malt to be exact) ice cream flavor
- I get the ice cream in a cone (often avoided due to my slow eating, clumsiness, and a desire not to get sticky)
Casey’s ice cream is extra silky. It’s like the ice cream equivalent of slipping beneath silk sheets while wearing silk pajamas.
We are fortunate enough to visit while Ralph Couey, Chief Ice Cream Maker, is in the shop. Casey’s is named after Ralph’s son. What Casey’s lacks in Wisconsin Ice Cream legacy, it makes up for in passion for making terrific ice cream.
Ralph explains his particular ice cream making process, how he comes up with flavors, and where the ingredients are sourced. When we mention that we will also be visiting Minneapolis, he shares the names of great ice cream shops in the city.
Not since Woohoo! Ice Cream, in Alaska, have we had such an enjoyable time chatting with an ice cream creative.
Casey’s is my favorite Wisconsin Ice Cream.
44 Below-The Unexpected Entrant
I feel conflicted. The first stop on our Menomonie, Wisconsin tour, is Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery. In addition to selling their in-house made cheese, they also sell Cedar Crest Ice Cream. I’m tempted. I want the ice cream, but this is a TBEX tour, I know in addition to all of the cheese eating at Ellsworth, there is more food to come. I can’t fill up on ice cream.
On our final evening, we attend the Rockin’ on the River, Summer Concert Series, at the River Prairie Park. It’s an excellent time. Rockin’ on the River includes live music, dancing, food, and lots of adorable pups. We’re invited to participate in a photo scavenger hunt.
While traversing from one spot to another, a tent, containing ice cream, is spotted.
I must commend the ladies at the 44 North/Below tent, for being friendly and energetic. They are a pleasure to meet.
44 Below scoops Cedar Crest Ice Cream. Yay! I can give this Wisconsin Ice Cream producer a try.
One of the flavors is Blue Moon. What’s better than ice cream? Ice Cream with a story.
A specifically Midwestern flavor. This area prides itself on the Blue Moon flavor. Each ice cream maker, creates their own version of Blue Moon. Individual recipes, are kept secret. Intriguing.
My assessment. The Blue Moon 44 Below serves, tastes like Marshmallow/Vanilla, with the subtlest hint of almond, and a splash of citrus or something else fruity. After running around, on a warm summer night, at scenic River Prairie Park, our scoop of Blue Moon ice cream, provides a nice chill-down.
Fun Fact: The Blue Moon Flavor does appear in other countries. In other countries, the ice cream almost always has “Smurf” in the flavor’s name.
Visiting a dairy focused destination, the expectation is that the ice cream is above average. Wisconsin did not disappoint. Particularly the Eau Claire, Wisconsin, area. The creaminess is divine and the flavors span from classic to clever. It is a worthy, ice cream enthusiast, destination.
Places to Stay While having Ice Cream Adventures in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
