Babcock Dairy Store
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**July 2025: Monday Late Afternoon Visit** Wisconsin is known for dairy and at Babcock you can get ice cream and cheese products proudly made from the University of Wisconsin. The shop name is named after Dr. Steven Babcock who was a professor at the university who developed the Babcock test - a test used to determine butterfat content in milk and cheese processing. His innovation revolutionized the ice cream and cheese making processing and this shop continues his legacy. On my visit there were over a dozen or so flavors and it was difficult to choose so I picked three! The flavors of all three were good, but I think for two of them they weren't frozen long enough because it has an icy texture to it versus a more creamy smooth finish. The peaches and cream seasonal flavor was outstanding though! Nevertheless, I still devoured all three flavors especially since it was a hot summer day. I'd say this probably a 3.5 star review but bumped up because it's an education institution. I think it's worthwhile to check out and honor the guy who basically revolutionized the ice cream and cheese industry!
Blast from the past. I have super clear memories of being like 4 years old standing in front of the ice cream display choosing what scoop go get. I remember moving to california and no one knowing what blue moon ice cream was. Somehow coming back here felt like I was validating my childhood. And bringing my bf felt like giving him a window of my life growing up. So much love
A can't miss for anyone on or near UW campus. The vegan cookies and cream tasted like regular ice cream. We also got a mini cup from the freezer of the blueberry ice cream which was both very affordable and still delicious and fresh despite sitting on the shelf. Recommend both types of ice cream for folk with sensitive stomachs given how fresh the ingredients are--you can taste it. You can also walk around a bit around the agriculture wing of the campus which is connected to the store.
The ice cream is so wonderful nothing needs to be said. All the flavors are great, my favorites being orange chocolate chip, union utopia, and mocha macchiato. Something not as well recognized at Babcock is their food including the BYO sandwiches! These are super customizable and made with the freshest ingredients. Best of all, you get to add the in house Wisconsin cheese to it! I love to get a chicken wrap in a cheesy jalapeño tortilla with veggies and garlic aioli. Such a filling lunch!
I wanted to try this place when I came to Madison because a friend recommended it, but hadn't gotten around to it yet, when lo and behold, they served it on the snack bar at the conference I was attending at the University. It saved me a trip to the actual store, so that was nice. The ice cream was good, but I have to say I liked the whipped cream even better. Could have eaten a whole bowl of that stuff!!! I noticed later on that they have a little Babcock ice cream shop on campus, too. Good stuff!!!
When I visited Madison recently, I had a small window of time before I had to move on to the next thing. It was mid-afternoon, on a Friday, and I'd never been to Babcock Dairy. So I plugged it into my GPS and away I went. There is street parking and I had no trouble that day I was there. But depending on the day, it could be hard to find parking, and you might have to find somewhere else to park and walk. After walking up two flights of steps you're ushered into a small but decent-sized ice cream shop--except this one has more seating than the average ice cream store. There is more than just ice cream on the menu, but I was there for the ice cream. There were a few people ahead of me in line, so I waited about 10 minutes or so. I ordered a double decker--and the last time I had a double scoop was years ago, I kid you not. But I was there and couldn't resist. I ordered chocolate and other flavor, I think was salted caramel. (It was a month ago!) But whatever it was, it was creamy and delicious. I wasn't really sure I could eat a double scoop, but despite its creaminess, it wasn't too heavy or difficult to eat. I sat by a front window and enjoyed my ice cream! It's a family friendly place, as not only students come but families with young kids were there, too.
Babcock Dairy was an absolutely wonderful and chilling experience (pun intended!). Despite the local Alabama-Wisconsin game ending less than an hour prior and a long line, the service was rapid and everyone got their icecream in no time. Attached to a University of Wisconsin building, there leaves a lot of cool sights and Badger-themed memorabilia laying about! Also it being Wisconsin there is plenty of cheese for sale inside as well! As for the ice cream, I got the "Badger Blast" and it was delicious! Very chilled and loaded with 'premium' chocolate and chocolate flakes! This is a great stop following a hot football day'
This is such a cool store to have on campus. Serves ice cream, sandwiches, and more. The ice cream is so delicious! Several options available - it was hard to choose! I got raspberry something (oops! I forget) but I can't forget how delicious it was! Very refreshing on a hot day and for a very affordable price. Delicious!
We had a coupon for free ice cream but we could only redeem it at the Babcock store on campus versus any other of their outlets. Given parking is a pain on campus even in summer we stopped in on a bike ride. So what if it was 9:30 in the morning. The store opens early so we had ice cream for breakfast - nice! The store itself is a bit barren with a sandwich counter, ice cream counter, some fairly empty food cases with a small selection of Babcock cheeses and Bucky meats. Service was fast and friendly and the serving big.
I stopped by on a Saturday monrning for ice cream. I went for a large, which can have 4 scoops. Orange custard chocolate chip was my favorite flavor here. Chocolate peanut butter, blueberry basil and lemon bar were my other flavors. They were all good. The place has some nice food items and coffee, which I should try next.
Fairly busy location looks like there is always a line, but this is the location that is open the latest and next to great water & seating. The ice cream is creamy, sweet, and thick. Orange custard has the hint of fruitiness paired perfectly with the chocolate chips. Blueberry swirl has vanilla ice cream base with blueberry swirled in that is classic. read more
Yummy ice cream with a quick self-guided tour about the science of ice cream making. Sweets plus science = yummy combo that's good for the brain. We waited behind a line of students, but didn't realize they were there for orientation and free ice-cream. So now you know to ask before waiting behind a line here. Didn't get a chance to try the sandwiches but mother-in-law recalled them being tasty. Will be back when I'm in the area again. Sorry no photo of ice cream or inside.. got too excited with ice cream and the tour.. read more
Business owner information
Bethany J.
Hi Bessie, thanks so much for your positive review, we are so happy…
Can't believe I've never been here! Trouble is that it's not easy to get to unless you're on campus. But if you can make your way deep into the UW Campus, it's worth a stop. Find a parking spot and check it out! Not a huge selection, but what they have is pretty darn good. I had the strawberry and enjoyed it. read more
**July 2025: Monday Late Afternoon Visit** Wisconsin is known for dairy and at Babcock you can get ice cream and cheese products proudly made from the University of Wisconsin. The shop name is named after Dr. Steven Babcock who was a professor at the university who developed the Babcock test - a test used to determine butterfat content in milk and cheese processing. His innovation revolutionized the ice cream and cheese making processing and this shop continues his legacy. On my visit there were over a dozen or so flavors and it was difficult to choose so I picked three! The flavors of all three were good, but I think for two of them they weren't frozen long enough because it has an icy texture to it versus a more creamy smooth finish. The peaches and cream seasonal flavor was outstanding though! Nevertheless, I still devoured all three flavors especially since it was a hot summer day. I'd say this probably a 3.5 star review but bumped up because it's an education institution. I think it's worthwhile to check out and honor the guy who basically revolutionized the ice cream and cheese industry! read more
3 months ago
Blast from the past. I have super clear memories of being like 4 years old standing in front of the ice cream display choosing what scoop go get. I remember moving to california and no one knowing what blue moon ice cream was. Somehow coming back here felt like I was validating my childhood. And bringing my bf felt like giving him a window of my life growing up. So much love read more
Business owner information
Bethany J.
Hello Louise, thank you so much for your positive review, I have a…
2 months ago
2 months ago
A can't miss for anyone on or near UW campus. The vegan cookies and cream tasted like regular ice cream. We also got a mini cup from the freezer of the blueberry ice cream which was both very affordable and still delicious and fresh despite sitting on the shelf. Recommend both types of ice cream for folk with sensitive stomachs given how fresh the ingredients are--you can taste it. You can also walk around a bit around the agriculture wing of the campus which is connected to the store. read more
2 years ago
The ice cream is so wonderful nothing needs to be said. All the flavors are great, my favorites being orange chocolate chip, union utopia, and mocha macchiato. Something not as well recognized at Babcock is their food including the BYO sandwiches! These are super customizable and made with the freshest ingredients. Best of all, you get to add the in house Wisconsin cheese to it! I love to get a chicken wrap in a cheesy jalapeño tortilla with veggies and garlic aioli. Such a filling lunch! read more
4 months ago
2 years ago
I wanted to try this place when I came to Madison because a friend recommended it, but hadn't gotten around to it yet, when lo and behold, they served it on the snack bar at the conference I was attending at the University. It saved me a trip to the actual store, so that was nice. The ice cream was good, but I have to say I liked the whipped cream even better. Could have eaten a whole bowl of that stuff!!! I noticed later on that they have a little Babcock ice cream shop on campus, too. Good stuff!!! read more
3 years ago
When I visited Madison recently, I had a small window of time before I had to move on to the next thing. It was mid-afternoon, on a Friday, and I'd never been to Babcock Dairy. So I plugged it into my GPS and away I went. There is street parking and I had no trouble that day I was there. But depending on the day, it could be hard to find parking, and you might have to find somewhere else to park and walk. After walking up two flights of steps you're ushered into a small but decent-sized ice cream shop--except this one has more seating than the average ice cream store. There is more than just ice cream on the menu, but I was there for the ice cream. There were a few people ahead of me in line, so I waited about 10 minutes or so. I ordered a double decker--and the last time I had a double scoop was years ago, I kid you not. But I was there and couldn't resist. I ordered chocolate and other flavor, I think was salted caramel. (It was a month ago!) But whatever it was, it was creamy and delicious. I wasn't really sure I could eat a double scoop, but despite its creaminess, it wasn't too heavy or difficult to eat. I sat by a front window and enjoyed my ice cream! It's a family friendly place, as not only students come but families with young kids were there, too. read more
Babcock Dairy was an absolutely wonderful and chilling experience (pun intended!). Despite the local Alabama-Wisconsin game ending less than an hour prior and a long line, the service was rapid and everyone got their icecream in no time. Attached to a University of Wisconsin building, there leaves a lot of cool sights and Badger-themed memorabilia laying about! Also it being Wisconsin there is plenty of cheese for sale inside as well! As for the ice cream, I got the "Badger Blast" and it was delicious! Very chilled and loaded with 'premium' chocolate and chocolate flakes! This is a great stop following a hot football day' read more
This is such a cool store to have on campus. Serves ice cream, sandwiches, and more. The ice cream is so delicious! Several options available - it was hard to choose! I got raspberry something (oops! I forget) but I can't forget how delicious it was! Very refreshing on a hot day and for a very affordable price. Delicious! read more
2 years ago
We had a coupon for free ice cream but we could only redeem it at the Babcock store on campus versus any other of their outlets. Given parking is a pain on campus even in summer we stopped in on a bike ride. So what if it was 9:30 in the morning. The store opens early so we had ice cream for breakfast - nice! The store itself is a bit barren with a sandwich counter, ice cream counter, some fairly empty food cases with a small selection of Babcock cheeses and Bucky meats. Service was fast and friendly and the serving big. read more
I stopped by on a Saturday monrning for ice cream. I went for a large, which can have 4 scoops. Orange custard chocolate chip was my favorite flavor here. Chocolate peanut butter, blueberry basil and lemon bar were my other flavors. They were all good. The place has some nice food items and coffee, which I should try next. read more
No trip to Madison, Wisconsin is complete without a stop at the Babcock Hall Dairy Store. Located on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, Babcock Hall Dairy Store is a must stop. Babcock Hall is home to the University's dairy research program. This restaurant is located in the building, and they make their own fresh ice cream and frozen creations. You can also purchase sandwiches and drinks here. I got a scoop of the chocolate peanut butter ice cream (rich, chocolate ice cream with thick ribbons of creamy peanut butter), while my husband got a scoop of the 175 S'more Years (rich, chocolate ice cream with a marshmallow swirl and graham cracker crunch to celebrate UW-Madison's 175th anniversary). The flavors were rich and creamy. The scoop they give you is HUGE! They are always creating new flavors, so if you go back there is always something new to try. If you are in Madison, I highly recommend stopping by and getting some ice cream at Babcock Hall Dairy Store! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
Business owner information
Bethany J.
Nicole, thank you so much for your glowing Yelp comments and review!…
Hands down one of the best ice cream places ever. Perfectly creamy while not overwhelming. Fresh tasting without any "cow taste." Not too sweet. Hard to find with the construction; if you're visiting, know that you'll have to walk all the way around the fencing to get to the store from the parking lot. read more
Great service. The food smells so good but I have only gotten ice cream here, I can tell you though it is one of the best ice creams in Madison. People are always chill here, lots of college students mostly. Thank you for the good service and friendly smiles. I highly recommend coming down here in the summer getting some ice cream and sitting outside to eat it. read more
4 years ago
I'm only reviewing the ice cream side and not the food items (sandwiches, pizzas, etc.) Ice cream is good. Rich, some creamy, and others feel a bit granulated (as if melted and frozen again). Their portion sizes for an ice cream scoop (2-3 scoops) really varies by worker and ice cream flavour you choose. Decent amount of seating, but I don't recommend coming in groups larger than 4-6. Pricing is clear and labelled, although their TV can go through the slideshow of options and prices a bit too fast, however I think they also carry hand held menus. Inflation goes hard for these prices though. The only real complaints I have are the food line and ice cream line merge weirdly at the cashier. I wish it was clearer. Also when getting the ice cream out, some flavours are harder to scoop out than others on different days. I wish they were transparent rather than watching 3-4 workers taking their turns at it while I wait without explanation for a while when my friends have already gotten theirs. read more
3 years ago
9 years ago
8 years ago
This is one of those "can't miss spots" in Madison! Daily products produced on premises.....milk, butter, cheese and ice cream. Ice cream is the true star of Babcock Dairy!! Soooo many delicious flavor choices..... Try more than one! There's also a sandwich and breakfast counter, so you can enjoy a meal with your ice cream. Like most ice cream parlors, getting a scoop or two isn't exactly cheap, but you're paying for the experience, so go for it. Load up on Babcock ice cream for your home freezer, as it's somewhat rare outside Madison! Just fyi. I tried the Union Utopia: vanilla ice cream with ribbons of peanut butter and chocolate.... Excellent!! read more
5 years ago
Favorite ice cream shop thus far! Too bad it's all the way in Madison. Although that could be a good thing, since I already have addictions to enough sweet things. It's not fancy or colorful inside, but boy do you forget about that once you taste the ice cream. All employees are students and they're all awesome! Super friendly and eager to help, whether it's a question you have or you just want to sample literally every flavor they have :) they also showed us the milk plant in the back and gave us some background - pretty cool! After sampling everything, I couldn't decide on one single flavor, so I ended up getting Key Lime Pie and Orange Chocolate Custard together - best decision ever hahaha those two are a must! They also sell pretty tasty cheese that was way cheaper than Wegmans here :) read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
Business owner information
Bethany J.
Hi Addison, thanks for the review — we're so glad you like our ice…
Deliciousness all up in this place! I had the ice cream and I love the fact that I could get a single cone, but with two flavors. I had mocha macchiato and Union Utopia! HEAVENLY flavors! I am not sure how these students/staff don't gain 100 pounds with this place here! There is something about this ice cream that can't be matched by other ice cream. The balance of creaminess and flavors, both subtle and bold in the right ways! Amazing! MUST STOP if you are in the area - street parking can be tough. Walk to it if you can. read more
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More info about Babcock Dairy Store
1605 Linden Dr
Madison, WI 53706
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(608) 262-3045
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https://babcockdairystore.wisc.edu
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