My wife and I stopped by Tropical Sno for the first time, and I can honestly say I understand why…read morethere was such a long line. There were about six cars in front of us and another ten behind us, but the wait wasn't bad at all because they kept things moving. The woman working the window, who I believe may have been the owner, was incredibly friendly. She thanked everyone for being patient, smiled the whole time, and made us feel like she truly appreciated our business. Good customer service like that sticks with me. I ordered the Strawberry and Hawaiian Blue shaved ice, and it was exactly what I was hoping for. The flavors were bold, the ice was soft, and it was the perfect treat on a warm day. This was our first visit, but it definitely won't be our last. We even got a punch card, so we'll be making plenty more trips back. If you don't mind waiting a few minutes for something that's worth it, I'd definitely recommend giving Tropical Sno a try.

Service was beyond amazing!! We got in the drive through land and although it was long it moved at…read morea decent pace. The worker let us know how much they appreciated our patience. The building is super cute Star of the show is the shaved ice! So soft and just perfect!! 100% we will be going again soon!!

River City Popcorn & Candy Company has been on my list for a while and I'm so glad I finally…read morestopped in. I was nearby and decided to go for it and it did not disappoint. Such a cute mom-and-pop shop in the cutest area of Hastings. The woman helping me was the absolute sweetest (possibly the owner?). She let me know this year they are celebrating 5 years.... So exciting. They also offer a great selection of candy and it was fun taking a walk down memory lane with all the nostalgic treats from childhood. And the smell when you walk in... talk about popcorn heaven! They have different sizes and flavors of popcorn. Popcorn is bagged right in front of you and you are able to mix and match flavors. I went with the classic butter and YUMMMMOOOO! I couldn't stop eating this stuff. There were so many buttery pieces. Seriously, buttery perfection with just the right amount of salt. I will definitely make the trip back here again and that could be very soon because my popcorn is already gone.

Fun little popcorn and candy store right off main street in downtown Hastings. They make fresh…read morepopcorn each day - caramel, cheddar, and butter. Of course you can mix these to make your favorite mix. As I walked in, the caramel corn was just being finished and it smelled heavenly inside the store. Yum, fresh caramel corn!! If popcorn is not your thing, there is a good assortment of vintage candy - Turkish taffy, Necco wafers, Charleston Chew, Skybar, etc. Also a great selection of chocolate, even some boozy options! There is a good assortment stuffed into such a small store. Worth stepping in and checking out especially if you are enjoying a walk by the river or looking through the local antique stores. Stop here to relax and refuel!

Looks like they are always rotating in new flavors, lots of seating all the time, and staff is…read morefairly quick & friendly! Honeydew sorbet - sweet, fruity, and fragrant. Kinda hot take, it tasted good with the cookies and cream. Cookies and cream - nice cookie chunks and creamy classic. Triple berry - texture was a little different, but still a good berry ice cream.

Super yummy ice cream. Very popular. Had to wait in a long line…read more Good thing I live in Phoenix so I wont be tempted to go every day.

Just tried Pretty Great Cheesecake for the first time at Hopkins Food Truck Fest. I just have to…read moresay I'll be craving that s'mores cheesecake in the future for sure. The toasted marshmallows on top were perfection. I hope I run into their truck again soon to try the other flavors!

Caught the food truck at the St. Paul Food Truck Festival today and boom! Soooooo great!!!!…read more My gf grabbed a shake which she loved while I went with the chocolate chip cookie dough avalanche which is like a frosty or blizzard. Thick churned soft serve mixed with cookie dough and chocolate sauce. This was phenomenal! The flavor and texture of the ice cream itself was top notch, and they loaded it with cookie dough. Definitely recommend checking them out!!!

Your Saint Paul staple. Located on Dale Street, this establishment is crucial to support as they…read moreare only open during the summer months. Don't let the tiny building fool you away. This is a historic site and their operations run extremely smoothly. Long lines? Yes on hot summer days. Contrary, the order window moves swiftly as employees are well seasoned. The pickup window separates the lines but due to the small area, it can often appear more congested then it really is. Offering more than 50 soft serve flavors, dipped cones, flurries and other cold treats, there are also hot eats like burgers, mini corn dogs, deep fried pickles, cheese curds and more. My favorite hot item is the mini corn dogs. My favorite cold item is an ores flurry or any of the soft serve flavors. If you love the fair, this is as close as you'll get to one offseason. Oh yeah, they also do pup cups and the funding goes to support the animals. Enjoy!!

A little cute gem for quick soft serve! The dole soft serve flavors rotate. Plenty of other flavors…read moreto choose from! I also got mini corn dogs, but would pass next time on it. It is quite small for corn dogs, but the soft serve is the main highlight. Limited seating available, but i always try to find a spot to share with other customers! Parking lot is small, but there is street parking in the surrounding areas.

This is one of those hidden gems that is so good, you almost don't want to tell anyone about it…read more Still, Anyone reading this review is a close personal friend, right? So here's the scoop. It is only open on Wednesdays from 2-4pm. Why the limited hours? Because it is seriously so good it can bring in crowds (and this place is super tiny) and I am pretty sure they want to make it hard for most folks to get here. Is it worth it? Heck yeah! All the meat and cheeses and ice cream have been done by students who have been under experienced guidance of an instructor. I have always been extremely pleased and happy about everything I have bought. Ice cream flavors are plenty and so delicious. The cheeses are award winning! And you can't go wrong with any of the meats. My personal faves are the brats, chorizo and italian sausage. You'll be surprised at the variety of meats. Sometimes you'll see goat or venison, but mostly pork and beef cuts. Check this out! Oh the bacon is excellent too!

Go here and buy the smoked swiss spread. You will not regret it!…read more But seriously, coming back from the east coast to find that the U of MN has a wonderful little dairy store was great! We've bought several kinds of ice cream here, and a few of their cheeses. I think that the quality here might be a bit inconsistent - they're made by students, after all-but we've had several "wow!"s and a few "ow"s wows: Peach Ice Cream Butter Pecan Ice Cream *my favorite so far Wildberry Frozen Yogurt (while debating which yogurt to try the student cashier told me Wildberry was the best, and it was quite good) Also the smoked swiss spread and nuworld spread (blue cheese, but made with a white mold rather than blue). ows: rootbeer float ice cream - just not root beery enough for me, i guess mint choc. chip ice cream - ok this one was just flat out neon blue. and only ok flavorwise. Good to know: it is only open on Wednesdays from 3 - 5 pm. Check the website for hours to be sure, though - they have extra ones around the holiday season. Also, stop by the Andrew Boss Meat Lab downstairs, and make a grocery run of it!

Both ice cream and service are out of this world! Very unique hand made flavors And always seems to…read morebe something different. And did I mention the cones...5 star as well!

Pumphouse Creamery is a hidden gem and absolutely worth the trip. Tucked into a Minneapolis…read moreneighborhood, this cozy little shop serves some of the richest, most flavorful ice cream we've had anywhere. We drove all the way from Victoria, MN, through rush-hour traffic--and would gladly do it again. What truly sets Pumphouse apart is its commitment to fresh, local ingredients and incredibly creative flavors. The seasonal rhubarb ice cream was unforgettable: perfectly balanced, fresh, and unlike anything you'll find at a typical ice cream shop. The experience went beyond the ice cream itself. The staff was welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely fun, making us feel less like customers and more like neighborhood regulars. We're already planning another trip back to stock up on pints before the seasonal flavors disappear.

Adele's is one of my favorite ice cream spots in the Minneapolis area. Their homemade custard is…read morealways delicious, and there are so many toppings and flavor combinations to choose from. What really sets them apart is how accommodating they are with food allergies, which makes every visit stress-free and enjoyable. A special shoutout to the manager, who always takes the time to make my sundae in the back to ensure it's prepared safely for my allergy needs. That extra level of care and customer service means so much. Great treats, great people, and a place I'm always excited to visit!

Delicious ice cream! I've only ever gotten the truffle sundae but it's been delicious every time…read more The place can be packed and there is only outdoor seating. The parking lot is a nightmare, almost bad enough for me to stop coming here. The service is quick though for how busy it is!