Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

On the unofficial first day of summer I wanted to make sure to welcome the season in the best way I know: with a true, classic, New York ice cream adventure.  And thus our feet took us weaving through the crowds down Bayard Street to the original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.  

Happy to find them as busy and bustling as ever!

While today it is common to find all kinds of flavors inspired by every cuisine around the world, Chinatown Ice Cream Factory grew out of a time where there were the classic, staple flavors and not a lot more, a time when a scoop of rocky road was rebellious.  When Philip Seid opened shop in 1978 he took the delicious, if not predicable, tradition of ice cream in America and turned it on its head with flavors many New Yorkers were encountering for the very first time.

I do not remember how old I was the first time my dad took me to Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.  I know that growing up you could not find the unique and exotic flavors that they made anywhere else, and that a trip to CICF was always special.  It was an extra special treat to get to have my dad along on today's adventure.  

The colorful, small shop is packed end to end with amazing flavors

What I got: Soft serve Taro in a cup.

What Greg got: Single scoop of Black Sesame in a cup.

What Dad got: Single scoop of Read Bean in a cup

Without discussing it, we all went super classic (or at least, classic for CICF) in our ice cream selections.  While you may now be able to find these flavors in your local specialty grocery store, for me Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is the gold standard by which all other are judged.  All three are well balanced, just as sweet and creamy as they should be, and full of their promised flavors.  They also all came with a Pocky candy sticking out of them (we believe they were dark chocolate) which is such a nice treat, and a signature finishing touch on every ice cream at CICF.  While Read Bean is my dad's favorite, he admitted to having ice cream envy for my perfectly purple soft serve.  

Admittedly, not my best ice cream photo... need to brush off the blogging dust

Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is literally packed with flavor, so much so that there is literally just enough room to order your treat and make a u-turn to the door to let the never ending flow of dessert lovers in for their treats.  We took our ice cream a block and a half to Columbus Park to find a bench away from the bustle of Bayard to enjoy every bite. Once we were done I realized that I had neglected to get a picture of the storefront so we decided to circle back, joking that it meant we all needed to get a second ice cream.  I may not have been 100% joking... I really wanted to try the Green Tea Oreo, or maybe the Rainbow (a mix of several of their flavors), or maybe Zen Butter...

The Rundown:
Where: Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
65 Bayard Street
New York, NY 10013
(There are other locations as well)
https://www.chinatownicecreamfactory.com/
What they're known for: Award winning Chinese flavored ice cream
A single cup or cone: $6.50
Most Extreme Menu Item: 2 1/2 gallons of ice cream $80 (they didn't have a price listed for their ice cream cakes, but now I know that they have them, and that you can have one made with any three flavors)
Lactose Free/Vegan Option: There is a significant selection of sorbets
Non-ice cream menu options: They have an incredible selection of CICF swag available for purchase
Accessibility: There is a step up to get into the store, and the space inside is narrow between the freezer and wall.  There is a sign at the front with a number to call if you need assistance.