Ice Cream Warz Winnerz!
War is hell, I’m pretty sure Sherman said that right after he burned Atlanta. Well, Philly wasn’t on fire, but it sure was hot on July 18th when 4 foodiez gathered to engage in our first annual Philly Ice Cream Warz! We picked 4 local “icecreameries” (if it’s not a word, I just made it up!) for the competition. Just to make sure we were not pulling a surprise attack, we went so far as to send them an advanced notice – no ambush – it’s all good! Their challenge: make a banana split, serve it up in a classic style, and let us judge it on 4 categories, Toppings, Ice Cream, Presentation, Creativity. We facebooked, we tweeted and we emailed all of this to all 4 participants.
Is the suspense killing you? Want to know, who won? Keep reading after the JUMP!!!My good friend the Cape May Contessa demanded that I include Bassetts in Ice Cream Warz, “Noshie, they’re the oldest, they’re classic, they’re from Philly, you gotta have them.” Nostalgia got the best of me and I added them to the mix. I checked their web-site to make sure the Reading Terminal store made banana splits, sure enough – it’s on the menu for $7. I thought ok, they’re in!
Bassetts Banana Split
Our Ice Cream Warz caravan of judges made its way to Reading Terminal Market, braving high temperatures, high humidity, Philly traffic and the Philadelphia Parking Authority. We didn’t want a Parking Wars episode to interrupt Ice Cream Warz! We struggled through the throngs of tourists in the terminal to get to Bassetts. We stood in line and waited, only to be told – “We don’t make banana splits”! HUH? “Your web-site has them on the menu for this location.” I replied. “Yeah, they never update that.” My less than enthusiastic counter helper replied. Poor Mr Bassett, perhaps someone should remind him to update his website. I’m guessing he still may be churning ice cream with his mule in southern New Jersey.
MTJIC Banana Split
I have to be honest, I had high hopes for MTJIC. I mean, their name seems to indicate that they got the ice cream part down. They’re like, “Yo check it out. See we sell ice cream and it’s fa’ realz good! But fa realz yo – we are way more than that! Yeah, we’re MORE THAN JUST ice cream. It’s like their name is selling errything else, ‘cuz they got the ice cream part down! What did our judges think? eh, they were ok. The young lady that waited on us was…. almost audible when she grunted hello. Everything was fine, nothing really stood out as “special”. They scored average marks on all 4 categories. I mean, they didn’t sing, or offer us water, or tell us that they made one of the flavors special that morning!?! Nope, they just made the split.
The Store
Winner – Best Ice Cream & Best Toppings
SDV was really excited about Ice Cream Warz, they told us they weren’t worried, that they would knock our socks off! They bragged on their facebook page that they had this in the bag! Frankly, I was a little nervous. Who knew what they had up their sleeve!
Just Have Fun
When I saw the House Rules sign hanging on the wall, I realized two things. 1. Put my cellphone away and 2. Just Have Fun. Ok, they don’t take themselves seriously, they get it! I’m down with Scoop De Ville! I ordered a banana split from the lady at the counter who immediately asked if we were with “that food blog”. GUILTY! She asked us if we had any requests, to which I replied, “nope, just make it a classic split.” Another dude offered us water and showed us to a table.
SDV Banana Split
When she brought the split to the table, she told us, “We made the Strawberry fresh today, I hope you like it.” UMMMMMM, you hope we like it? It was the most brilliant, fresh, strawberriest strawberry ice cream any of the 4 of us had ever had! All 4 judges gave SDV the highest marks for toppings and ice cream! They really brought it and for that we say, “thank you”!
Thank you Scoop De Ville!
Winner Best Presentation and Winner Most Creativity
Lines out the door, award after award, after award, Franklin Fountain is a mock turn of the century ice cream parlor, owned by two brothers who apparently have a tenacious passion for authenticity. Every single element of their business is tied to their theme and it’s done with grace, style and elegance! Franklin Fountain never responded to our taunts about ice cream warz, I just assumed they were too busy to give a dork like me who writes a local blog any credibility. I actually laughed at the lack of responses by the participants with a neighbour who asked if anyone got back to me. UMMM, never assume!
Serving Up The Song
You see Franklin Fountain serves every one of its “Banana Split For My Baby” with a plain glass of water and a song. So…. when I ordered a Banana Split For My Baby, the man in the black derby hat gave me a quizzical grin and asked if I was with that food blog… GUILTY! He looked at me sternly and said, “We’ve got something for you. Step back and wait please.” I honestly didn’t know if he was going to start throwing rotten bananas at me or ask me to leave? He was very serious. I ran outside and gathered my posse of judges! I told them that they had something for us. What a way to make a foodie’z dreams come true! The staff stopped waiting on guests and began to sing as they prepared the split! We were being serenaded by the owners of Franklin Fountain! I honestly felt like I was a kid again, and I think that’s their secret, “Franklin Fountain is the fountain of youth!” We all love to feel you – who wants to feel like a responsible adult, who always does the responsible thing? Yeah, your mortgage company loves that, but really!?!????
The Creator
Anyway, I drifted, they were singing along with a cd that they normally play when anyone orders a Banana Split For My Baby! How creative to add an experience as a garnish to a regular menu item.
Banana Split For My Baby
Please don’t misunderstand, the ice cream and toppings were amazing, but when it comes to creativity and presentation – Franklin Fountain is the clear winner. It’s the kind of place that creates memories with family and friends. It’s the kind of place that, while providing comfort food – actually provides comfort! They make ice cream more than just delicious – they make it an event!
I would like to thank the FOODRULEZ guest judges Steve, Christian, and David! I hope you all didn’t gain too much weight as we sampled the best ice cream philly has to offer!!!
sounds like a great time and a very memorable experience. so great the participants were into it as well.
it was amazing robert.
way more respect than NYC cupcake warz
OMG…how yummy they look. Has to suck to be you…such a demanding job you have!!!!
it was a blast!!!!!!! you would have loved it MOM, one had lots of peanut butter.
I will search out this scoop details ville for their rules alone:-)
love it right?
I am super excited to see that my fave, Scoop deVille/Maron Chocolates WON!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ve ne’er been fond of banana splits.
However, there are two other seriously major contenders in the greater Philadelphia area. In Aston, JUST ICE CREAM (ought I offer to make a site for them in exchange for unlimited supply of their scrumptiousness? http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3720492855/just-ice-cream-of-aston-aston ) is a family owned establishment with super nice people, ’50s (and prior) theming, and some flavours to enthrall! Mom’s Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Brownie Dough… all must be tried. oh! nearly 4got the strawberry cheesecake variety of frozen confection.
And in NJ, just across the road from the Mt. Laurel Wegman’s, is a href=”http://www.dolcecrema.com/”>Dolce Crema, home of some superbly amazing gelato and sorbetto. The blueberry is incomparable, and will alter your life’s sweet factor!