I just seriously have to kick myself multiple times, for finally having tried this the first time since moving to Albany 6 years ago. I mean, I drive by it nearly every day, or at least 4 times a week, and always just ignore it. I heard how it was the creamiest, the best old fashion taste, taste that is out of this world, and can't find it anywhere else, but still avoided it.
I think part of the reason is the the long lines I would always see whenever I had a desire to go and try it out. After a while, I just ignored it, until I saw some of the reviews and posts. I checked them out online and on Yelp and had to try it. It reminded me of the the tasty freeze we had in Detroit growing up. The tasty freeze was great, but I never remember it being anything other than just ice cream.
It was probably months, before I finally was driving home from shopping on a Friday evening of all things, and noticed maybe four or five people in line. It was a cool summer evening, around 75F, much cooler than recent days, so I thought, why not. I checked my phone and it was 8:30pm. Closing time was 9:00pm.
So, when the light turned green, I proceeded straight into the parking lot instead of home. As I walked up to the stand the merriment from all the customers sitting around picnic tables and benches filled the air. Young teens in their baseball uniforms ran ahead to get in line. I felt like I had gone back in time to those Tasty Freeze days.
I watched on older gentleman enjoying a large sundae, while his partner enjoyed a cone swirl. I saw others with the famous banana split and the young baseball teens ordering dipped swirls. After viewing all the Yelp photos, I knew what I wanted, especially since the line was now starting to fill behind me, and many anxious Kurver Kreme aficionados were anxiously waiting to place their order.
I asked for all the swirl flavors, and the young man proceeded politely to tell me all of them. I heard a lot of berry flavors and non-fat, and in order to expedite my process, I simply ordered the vanilla, real deal, all the fat, none of that non-fat stuff, and dip it in that crunchy chocolate dip. I've been craving that ever since seeing the multiple photos on Yelp, and it reminded me of the swirl chocolate dips we always got at the Tasty Freeze years ago.
He asked what size, and I said, "The biggest of course!", and with a pleasant smile he turned and created the gigantic, mountainous swirl of ice cream on that little tiny cone, and dipped it in that fantastic chocolate crispy sauce! Then what he said next surprised me and froze me for a moment. He said $4.30 please. "Are you kidding me," I thought as I dropped a $5 bill down. I stared at him and he stared at me, only for me to realize he was holding my ice cream and waiting for me to grab it so he could take the five and give me my change. I laughed, grabbed the ice cream, told him to keep the change and threw another dollar in the tip jar. He and Kurver deserved it.
Now the best part. I find my little bench off to the side staring at the gas station and people still pulling in minutes before closing to get a taste of joy. I first must take my picture for Yelp, but in doing so, the tower is so high and the frozen chocolate starts to crack and tilt. In desperation I take the quickest photo and proceed to tackle the top of the crispy chocolate vanilla cream tower.
Using the term heaven is not fair. Not even close. I've been all around the world, and have tasted from famous Gelato shops in Rome, Mochi ice cream stands in Tokyo, the unusual taste of Dondurma in Turkey, the sweet Halva of Israel, the unusual South Korean J-Cone, Thailand's peculiar I Tim Pad, and can't forget the Paletas in Mexico. I love ice cream in all its forms and have tried it all over the world. But this one was something to remember.
I tried to bite into it and get a taste of ice or bubbles that you get with others, to ensure myself this was just another ice cream outing, but nothing was to be found. It was shear and utter creamy smoothness, lick after lick, bite after bite, suck after suck... Uhm, sorry didn't mean to get too graphic here. The worst part was not eating fast enough where the frozen crispy chocolate shell was breaking in pieces and falling off.
This was ice cream utopia beyond all my worldly travels, and it was right in my backyard. Shame on you Frank for waiting so long. I only wish I had the chance to meet the man that made this place the icon it is in Upstate New York, and thank him. For it is truly a summer sweet treat paradise.
I hope they have the crispy dip in cherry or berry, as that is what I am craving next! read more