Stricklands is back! As a long time fan of their Irvine location, I was happy to know it came back. I've heard about the comeback for a while, but just never ventured out to Costa Mesa. Well, after dinner with some friends, we wanted to grab some ice cream - what better idea than trying Stricklands??? The ice cream is still as delicious as ever - I made the mistake of not checking that flavor calendar before we went, but we were still happy campers. And best of all, I got to introduce Strickland's to my kiddo (who ended up eating almost all the ice cream, lol). Not much in terms of seating, but there was a bench where we sat and eat the ice cream prior to leaving. Plenty of parking - location is on the edge of the mall if you have any issues finding it. read more

Nothing is better than handmade seasonal ice cream. The thoughtfulness behind the owners flavors for this ice cream parlor makes each bite unique and something to look forward to for each month. Service was quick an easy, and you get to talk to the owner yourself! read more

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Went to Strickland's Ice Cream today while I was in the area craving something sweet. At first, the GPS brought me to the general area but not the exact spot, so if you're planning to check it out, it's on the street side right by coffee bean not near CVS Pharmacy. I stopped by because I was in the mood for something like a banana split, but a full one is just way too much for one person. This felt like the perfect solution. I loved my experience today. They have four churners that make small-batch ice cream. Vanilla and chocolate stay consistent, and the other two flavors rotate daily. There's also a monthly flavor calendar posted so you can see what's coming up which I think is such a smart way to keep guests intrigued and coming back. I ordered both rotating flavors of the day: a banana bowl with Andes Cool Mint Fudge topped with hot fudge, and a small Orange Pineapple. Both were super good and not overly sweet just the perfect level of sweetness. The banana bowl totally satisfied my banana split craving in a single-serving size, exactly what I was looking for. I always love banana as a topping with my ice cream, so this really hit the spot. The Orange Pineapple had more of a sorbet-style vibe light, refreshing, and perfect if you want something fruity and bright. The owner was also super nice and helpful when I asked questions, which made the experience even better. They're definitely doing something right here. Between the rotating flavors, generous toppings list (including lots of candy options), and friendly service, I can't wait to come back and try more. read more

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Stopped by on Feb 25 during Strickland's 90 Years celebration (90¢ small cone for every $9 spend). Flavors of the day were Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Honeydew. The cookie dough was creamy and delicious, just wish there were more cookie dough chunks. The Dubai Chocolate Hot Fudge Brownie with vanilla ice cream was my favorite. The brownie was warm, soft, and melted in my mouth, and the pistachio added the perfect crunch. Made fresh daily and always hits the spot! Huge thanks to Neil for making the best ice cream! read more

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Great ice cream shop in Costa Mesa. Even though they only have 4 flavors to choose from daily, I still had a hard time picking a flavor. I ended up wort the Mesa Sundae because I love me some hot fudge. Staff very attentive and gives details on how they make their ice cream and help me make my decision. No true seating in there just a quick grab your ice cream and find a seat outside. There was one bench. Loved my pistachio ice cream. I'd go back and try some other flavors. read more

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First time visitor Located off Newport next to the coffee bean Plenty of open parking Local spot / family owned Clean and simplistic Few indoor seating area Speciality flavors of the day made (2) and vanilla chocolate standard daily Sample available upon request Pints of select flavors available for purchase and gallon as well too Select drinks available for purchase too Cash card both accepted Milkshake also available too Calendar available on website to show daily unique and traditional flavors for day of The Owner greeted and took the order He was very nice and shared about some of the ingredients and quality with everything being in house made. There is a back story printed in the store. Very neat indeed. Cone / cup options available in small medium large Orders came out fairly quickly with calling of the flavor and available at the counter Had the Reese cup and it was not overpowering in chocolate or peanut butter flavor The Thai tea was not as sweet as expected but thought this to be the better flavor out of the 2 but fun to get both flavors and share away if possible :) Both felt like a soft serve sorbet firmer than yogurt consistency Cute place to grab and go dessert or sit inside on the benches and enjoy a quick treat Family friendly, solo, date night, and group outing friendly Would return back to try other flavors in the future read more

Stricklands Ice Cream - Small of each flavor of the day - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

So so happy Strickland's is back! Chatted with the owner about how thrilled we were for their return, he was super friendly! They have speciality daily flavors that can be found on their monthly calendar online and previous flavors can be bought in pints. There's a reward card for the pints. You can really taste the freshness and tell that it's made daily! read more

Stricklands Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Super creamy and delicious ice cream/custard We tried the Red Velvet Chip as well as the Dubai sundae. Both were great and I am so excited to try different flavors. I love the idea of the calendar and changes for each day and I can't wait for Decembers menu, hoping for lots of peppermint chocolate flavors. read more

Stricklands Ice Cream - Dubai sundae - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This ice cream shop is located in a large plaza in Costa Mesa and faces out toward 19th Street. There was plenty of parking on the weekday afternoon when I visited. I'd recently seen a lot of positive reviews for it on Yelp so decided to give them a try. They offer two flavors every day - chocolate and vanilla - and also rotating flavors that change every day (two on weekdays and three on weekends). I recommend you go to their website and see what flavors they are offering on their flavor calendar or you can subscribe to it. I wish I had checked before I visited (and will do so in the future). I was greeted upon arrival, and I checked their board to see their two additional flavors: chocolate chip and maple nut. I knew immediately I wanted chocolate chip but which to choose for a second scoop? I've never liked nuts in my ice cream but decided to also give maple nut a try too. I got my flavors in a cup, which was presented with the ice cream standing tall, reaching for the sky. No seating inside but they do have benches in front of the shop. The ice cream was piled high. Both scoops were extremely creamy and soft. I loved the texture, such a smooth and silky mouth-feel. I thought the chocolate chip could have used more chips but I still liked it a lot. The maple nut had plenty of candied nuts, I think pecans although I'm not certain. I was surprised that I actually didn't mind the nuts in my ice cream; in fact, I liked them. But I thought the maple flavor of the ice cream was weak. I'll be back (and watching the calendar) for different flavors in the future. For now, 3.5 rounded up! read more

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I told myself just a few bites... and the next thing I know I'm scooping up the last bite. Having daily rotating flavors is so fun and a great marketing tool by Strickland's. When I stopped by on Sunday, the flavors were banana, matcha, and mint chocolate chip. They offer the classic flavors, such as vanilla and chocolate, every day, along with 2-3 new flavors daily. I was set on ordering a cookies and cream milkshake but I changed my mind after sampling the matcha. The flavor isn't super strong but it had earthy notes that I knew would make a perfect base. I ordered the matcha arctic twister with oreo topping and it was incredible. They blended the oreo into small bits for the ice cream and added a generous crumble of oreo chunks at the top. The consistency was stretchy, creamy, and thick in a good way. I also sampled some of the strawberry milkshake, which was delicious, and the strawberry shortcake sundae. The sundae was definitely on the sweeter side but it makes for a great dessert for two people or one if you have a strong sweet tooth. I believe we were helped by Neil, the owner, who was very kind and recommended that we try the sundaes, since they are some of the more decorative items they offer. There's some seats inside and outside if you're looking to eat in. We went around 8pm on Sunday and it wasn't busy. read more

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I love soft serve so I was excited to try Strickland's frozen custard! I had just had a frustrating experience at the DMV nearby and sought comfort in some ice cream. This Costa Mesa location is the only one outside of Ohio. There was a previous shop in Irvine, which was much loved, but it closed several years ago. Neil, the owner of the Costa Mesa store, was one of those fans and decided to open another one. They have a fairly limited menu of flavors - with chocolate and vanilla being the two constants. There are at least two other flavors that change daily. They have some interesting flavors like Amaretto Crunch, Thai Tea, Sweet Red Bean and Strawberry Oreo. I tried a small mocha. The serving size was decent for $4.95. It was nice and creamy and helped wash away those DMV blues. Would love to return and try more flavors! Plenty of parking in the lot. read more

Stricklands Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This was the sweetest yelp event :) I had butterscotch while my daughter had chocolate flavored ice cream The owner was soooooo sweet and talked about the history of the store and how fresh the ice cream was made daily. Must visit cute shop :) read more

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$4.95 for a single scoop in a cup Vanilla flavor is very tasty! Despite no vanilla bean seeds present, it's one of the better vanillas I've had. When I came in, they had mostly richer flavors (chocolate, choco mocha, salted caramel pretzel, vanilla) and no fruity flavors. All 4 flavors I sampled were yummy, albeit on the soft side. I do wish the texture was a bit denser/stiffer. The ice cream melts on the tongue and leaves an indulgent aftertaste that lingers. Service was friendly and easy since they have a limited number of flavors to try. The calendar on the counter labels what flavors they make in advance, so you can plan your trip accordingly. They even have some Asian flavors, such as cherry blossom and matcha KitKat! read more

Great ice cream experience! In all honesty, that might be the best soft serve I've ever had. Came by for a Yelp event. We met the owner, who was very friendly and taught us about the history of Strickland's. Fun to learn about the Ohio origins and how this is the only one outside of the Midwest. Random, but lucky for us! We tried the Reese's cup ice cream and it was delicious - so creamy and smooth. Great flavor and chunks. I wish there were more flavors on site, but I also feel like because of the limited options each day, it makes me want to come more often to try other flavors. The old school ice cream machines are cool! I think it makes it taste better for some reason. Thanks for having me! Will be back now that I know this is here! read more

Stricklands Ice Cream - Reese's ice cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Come with me to this ice cream shop that was founded in 1936 with sundaes, milkshakes and ice cream pints. They have different ice cream flavors everyday so look for their ice cream release schedule for your favorite ones! I had: 1. Hot apple crumb cake sundae 2. S'more sundae 3. Mint oreo scoop of ice cream in a cone read more

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Definitely my favorite soft serve/custard place in OC. I love that they do two new flavors everyday, because it keeps me coming back for more. The owner is always there and he's so incredibly helpful, nice, and loving. You can really tell how much he loves his business. Today, we got a Oreo milkshake, and you can really taste how fresh the ingredients are in each sip. It was the perfect consistency, thickness, and sweetness. I'd come back everyday if I could. read more

Stricklands Ice Cream - Oreo Cookie Shake - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Finally got to try this place I saw on TikTok, and I am so glad we did! We ordered a medium with vanilla & matcha kitkat and another medium with vanilla & peanut butter. All the flavors we got were so yummy. I loved that it was not too sweet and the flavors were spot on. They rotate daily flavors, which I think is super fun, but definitely check their flavor calendar so you know what's available that day. Our ice cream server was super nice as well. Since it was our first visit, he walked us through the menu, explained the flavors, and let us sample a few before deciding. Can't wait to come back and try more flavors! read more

Stricklands Ice Cream - matcha kitkat & vanilla. peanut butter & vanilla - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I got their strawberry cookies and cream and their taro ice cream. Good portion for a small cup. The taste could use more flavor with the strawberry cookies n cream. The taro was really good. My fave. This is a son and pop shop. So please stop by. Each day is a new flavor. The service was quick and easy. It is a small shop next to the old 24 hr fitness. It has the history behind the ice cream which was nice read more

Stricklands Ice Cream - Taro and strawberry cookies n cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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This place is incredible and represents what a real ice cream place from America should look like. The owner is supper attentive, products are fresh. My kids love it and we keep on discovering new items each time we go. read more

I was craving ice cream, as one does on a hot day, and happened to be passing Stricklands Ice cream. The ice cream was soooo creamy and silky! Not overly sweet and the flavors were yummy. I ended up taking home a pint of passion trio and the salted caramel pretzel. I can't wait to come back and try a thai tea milkshake or custard with toppings! I was pleasantly surprised to see this shop with old school ice cream machines, a menu that included blizzard type ice creams, milk shakes and shaved ice/frozen custard duos. They keep some pints in the freezer, otherwise they only offer 4 flavors everyday, which is very unique and keeps things fresh! They will always carry vanilla and chocolate. There is a calendar every month posted online, on IG and in store. It's a smaller store front so be prepared to eat outside when it's busy. Thank you to the owner Neil who was so friendly and welcoming, he let me know how things worked and a little history on the business. I am telling everyone I know to try this ice cream shop, it's the only one is Cali! read more

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I try to come here every chance I get! I think they are on to something by rotating their daily flavors because it makes you want to come and try all of them! I used to love the one in Irvine and this is no different. Just a new location! Thankfully, for those who just like simple flavors, they always have vanilla and chocolate. They have a lot of specialties like sundaes and milkshakes which they are known for, but I personally just like their custard. I have tried so many flavors and there are so many more I can't wait to try the custard taste so creamy and fresh with the perfect sweetness! read more

Stricklands Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This was my third visit here and unfortunately, it will be my last. The first time I came, I really enjoyed how fresh the soft serve tasted. The ice cream itself is still good, but the customer service and portion sizes have completely changed my experience. The kid who greeted us at the front was friendly, but the owner made us feel very unwelcomed. He told my son not to touch the touchscreen payment machine, even though my son barely touched it. He grabbed it as if it was about to break -- which honestly made the whole interaction uncomfortable and awkward. If it's that fragile, maybe it should be secured better or bolted down. On top of that, the scoop size was extremely small. With so many ice cream spots in the area, you'd think they'd focus more on customer experience and value to keep people coming back. We will not be coming back. read more

Loved learning about the history of Stricklands Ice Cream. I got a chocolate milkshake and it was delicious! You get a clear view of how their yummy ice cream is made. Lots of cool flavors to choose from. You're sure to find a flavor for everyone in your group. read more

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ONE OF THE BEST AUTHENTIC ICE CREAM JOINTS IN OC! I loved coming to Stricklands when I was a student at UCI and was heartbroken when it closed. I was so happy when this location opened and revived the Stricklands ice cream for the Orange County area! I love their homey, real-authentic appearance and vibe. All the rotating flavors are interesting and I love that they have a calendar to let us know what they are. The staff members are always helpful too and allow us to sample flavors before deciding. This time around, I got the Strawberry Oreo in a Medium size, one of the best flavors I've had from them; it tasted like a sweet chocolate strawberry. Definitely check this place out, I'm sure you'll become a regular! read more

Stricklands Ice Cream - Strawberry Oreo (Medium) - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Delicious ice cream and flavors! We got a few pints to share at a dinner and it was perfect. They definitely do more mix in style then like chunks of theirs mix ins. Still delicious though! Make sure to park in the lot by Crossroads and then just walk past the coffee shop in the corner to get to it. Super quick and friendly service! read more

Their back! Ever since the Irvine location closed, I've missed their super smooth ice cream and promotional days. They have 4 flavors, so it's a snap to figure our which ones you want. They also have a small freezer with some stored flavors as well. The owner is super cool so have a chat with him. We picked up a quart and a scoop on a Thursday. Then came back for 3 more quarts to stock our freezer. read more

I see what they're talking about when they said made fresh daily, people in the back were actively working and making ice cream! Weird shapes and the mint chips flavor was alittle off for me. Think I just had a weird batch (happens all the time when making things fresh so really no sweat guys!) Will def be back and maybe try another flavor of theirs! read more

Wow! Im so glad we finally tried Stricklands ice cream! The owner was welcoming and very helpful, it was our first time there so he took the time to explain ive vream is home made daily and that is why they only have 4 flavors. He asked if we wanted to sample the flavors so we did, they were all amazing! Place is small and very welcoming! My daughter got a slushy that was filled to the top and the owner went out of his way to give her an additional cup to make thibgs easier! We truly enjoyed our visit and will be back to try different flavors! read more

Went in on a quiet Tuesday evening to try the Andes mint flavor. Service was fast and efficient. The flavor and texture were great, like a cross between soft serve and ice cream. I will say the portions were a bit on the smaller side - this was a medium. I like that they keep it simple and offer only a couple flavors a day and regularly change it up. read more

Stricklands Ice Cream - medium andes mint - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I was able to try this thanks to the the Yelp event. I tried the vanilla ice cream and thought it was okay. Nothing special to me where I would come back, because to me, it's just okay vanilla ice cream. But I do want to mention that Connor, the associate who helped me, was very polite and professional in asking if my visit was the first time. Then he took the time to explain the process and flavors. This is truly great customer service. Parking was easy to find, given that the shop shares a big lot with other businesses. The store is clean and well-lit. Unfortunately, this didn't meet my expectations of great ice cream, but your miles may vary. read more

In the triangle square lot but a store facing 19th so can be tricky to find. It took us driving around the place to find it. LOL Once found plenty of parking. We walked in with no line but 5 minutes later they had a full lobby so it can fill up quick. The gentleman running the counter was great and took his time to explain everything they offered. Small batches made daily so just a few flavors. They had 5 when we came but said during the week sometimes less. They have a calendar to follow if you want specific flavors. I went with a chocolate/banana shake and added malt. It was really good. My daughter just went straight banana ice cream and it was also good. His enthusiasm was what stood out the most, it was his craft and he was proud of what they made and offered. I highly recommend this place and look forward to returning soon. read more

My friend and I tried the mocha flavor when we visited Strickland's for Yelp event. Greeted by the friendly owner and employees, we got an introduction about the store and the various flavors available. The owner was so sweet! After getting our ice cream, we sat outside to enjoy and chat. The location is small, but there are benches inside and outside to hang out. After finishing our ice cream, we went back inside to purchase a pint of the red guava flavor. Yum!! Such a delicious treat after dinner! Definitely will be coming back for more to support! read more

This place was on my sweet treat list for a while and I wish I tried it sooner! From the first bite, I could tell this was some GOOD QUALITY ice cream! I got Vanilla and Chocolate Chip, and loved how creamy they were. I thought it was cool how they offer rotating flavors everyday! Went with the medium size and they give you a pretty generous heaping of ice cream! I feel like it was decently priced too for what you're getting. Had trouble finding this place at first, but it is located in a plaza but the storefront itself is facing 19th street! read more

Stricklands Ice Cream - Vanilla and Chocolate Chip - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We used to go to the one in Irvine before it closed and now it's reopened on Newport Boulevard. A bigger space. Very good frozen yogurt. Friendly staff. I think you should try it. It's really good. they have a calendar with constantly changing flavors. read more

My go to ice cream shop when I'm craving it. My wife and I have been dropping in about once a month when we're out in the area. I've been to other chains but prefer Stricklands over them all. Also, the owner is really friendly! I'm a vanilla person, but today we tried the Oreo banana and it was delicious! The flavor was just right and not overbearring. We also decided to pick up a tub to go of the mint chocolate, and that was great as well. I do wish they had a more French vanilla flavor, but the regular vanilla texture is so creamy that it still hits the spot read more

Stricklands Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The customer service was great! The manager went above and beyond and the ice cream sundae was yummy! We'll be back (:

NOT YOUR TRADITIONAL SHOP. Haven't been here since they were located in Irvine! Some of, if not, the best ice cream in the area. They do 2-3 flavors a day, and when it's gone - it's gone! I came for a pint of BD cake area and was denied sadly. Showed up around 9pm on Friday and just got a medium cup. Wasn't for me though, was for my brother. Service is pretty fast and great. Small cups run around $5 and a medium was $6.75. It's not a big amount they serve you, but the quality is there. Support your local business! Give them a try. read more

Stricklands Ice Cream - Birthday cake Oreo - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I've stopped by a few times and have consistently had a great experience. The owner is so welcoming and genuinely takes the time to explain the different ice cream options, which makes choosing flavors way easier (and more fun). One of my favorite things is that the flavors are always rotating, and they even provide a monthly flavor schedule so you know exactly when to come back for the ones you love. Such a great idea. Portions are generous and the prices are very reasonable for the quality and amount of ice cream you get. Highly recommend if you're in the Costa Mesa area and looking for a solid ice cream spot. read more

Stopped by after an event nearby since I saw the business name and it brought back memories of the original location in Irvine by the Albertsons. I know it was under new management but I was craving for a bit of nostalgia from the college days. Grabbed a manga malted milk shake and was not disappointed! The interior didn't have the more rustic feel that the Irvine location had, but a cleaned up modern look. Service still great and flavors still on point! Even the signage and cups were the same! read more

Stricklands Ice Cream - Lychee malted milk shake - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Tried this place for the first time a few weeks ago, and I enjoyed it! I think I remember getting strawberry cheesecake, and it was yummy. The consistency of this ice cream is different from others, which I loved. I do wish they had more flavors available. Not sure if the normal is 4 flavors a day, but that's how it was when I went. However, it's cool how they have a calendar with what flavors they will have for the month and what day. The workers were super helpful when choosing our flavor and they gave us our ice cream very fast. There were also no seats inside, but there was a bench outside. It's also kind of small in there so expect to be in and out. read more

Stricklands Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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