IC Ice Cream -- Conway, SC |
STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND PUT THIS PLACE ON YOUR LIST.
If you are anywhere near Conway, South Carolina, IC Ice Cream is a MUST VISIT. I absolutely love finding places that do something completely different, and this place might be one of the most unique dessert experiences I've come across.
Here's the coolest part: the ice cream is made right in front of you on a 35-degree frozen table, similar to the process you see at rolled ice cream shops. But instead of simply rolling it up, they take it one incredible step further...
They put the ice cream through a pasta-making machine and turn it into SPAGHETTI ICE CREAM.
And it doesn't stop there.
They build the entire experience around the spaghetti theme. You get toppings that look like traditional pasta ingredients, but they're actually candy and sweets:
Gummy worms become the "peppers"
Sprinkles become the "Parmesan"
Chocolate candies become the "meatballs"
It is SO much fun.
And here's the thing: sometimes a gimmick is just a gimmick. This isn't. The ice cream is legitimately delicious. The presentation gets your attention, but the taste keeps you eating.
I can't begin to tell you how much I LOVE uniqueness. Give me something I've never seen before over the same cookie-cutter restaurant or dessert shop any day.
Honestly, while sitting there I couldn't stop thinking:
"If I had the money to invest in this concept, I would turn this into a franchise and put one in every beach town in America."
Myrtle Beach. Ocean City. Virginia Beach. Outer Banks. Daytona. Gulf Shores. Destin. Clearwater.
EVERYWHERE.
I genuinely think this concept has that kind of potential because it's not just ice cream -- it's an experience people are going to take pictures of, video, talk about and bring their friends back to try.
Now, I do have one suggestion, and I'm not taking away a single star because of it.
The ice cream is clearly the owner's specialty. The interior design and overall vibe? Not quite there yet.
The shop could be transformed with some simple changes. Better signage. Menus on the individual tables rather than having to look across the room and be told where the menus are. Some paint. More Italian-inspired decorations. Maybe some fun pasta-themed elements throughout the shop.
Basically, make the inside as fun as the ice cream.
Because the concept deserves it.
If I ever get the opportunity to be involved with this concept financially, I would go ALL IN on the branding, experience and atmosphere because I genuinely believe there's something special here.
IC Ice Cream is one of those places where you walk out thinking, "I've never seen anything like that before."
And that's exactly what makes it memorable.
Unique. Delicious. Fun. Instagram-worthy. Family-friendly.
If you're anywhere near Conway, GO. Seriously. This is a must-visit. read more