Ice Cream Man – Greenwich, NY

The Ice Cream Man in Greenwich, NY is an amazing place.

It’s tucked away north of Albany (417 State Route 29 – Greenwich, New York 12834), but it’s one of those places that is worth a pilgrimage from time to time (or all the time).

The place was featured on an episode of Food Network’s “Throwdown with Bobby Flay”, so it’s one of those places that has really gotten some national attention.

One Saturday, we made the trip with some friends for some ice cream. Because I’m a nut and saw that they serve sandwiches, I had to try a sandwich.

When I ordered my sandwich (The Battenkill Bovine Mooey Gooey: Warm Roast Beef on Toasted Pumpernickel with Cheddar Cheese, and Russian Dressing – $5.85), I let the kid at the counter talk me into having it cold on whole wheat bread. I don’t know why; I was really hungry, so I honestly didn’t care.

While the bread was nothing better than Arnold’s whole wheat bread, and the roast beef was your standard cold cut, the star of the sandwich was the sharp cheddar cheese. I didn’t ask, but it seems natural that a place so close to Vermont would be using Vermont cheddar. I opted for potato salad on the side, and, although it was homemade, it was a little underseasoned. The pickle on the side is always a nice touch with a sandwich. The combination was worth the price.

But, c’mon.

I was really there for ice cream.

The menu at first is very daunting, as there are many choices that are all formulated and produced in house with local milk. Once you realize that you can try a lot of flavors for a relatively small amount of money, it gets easier to narrow the list down. And once you realize that you get a lot for your money, any effort it took to get there becomes worth it.

I mean, their triple scoop (which I can’t remember but I’m pretty sure is less than $4) easily fits a pint of ice cream. (I’m loosely using the term “fits” here.)

Cassie and I actually visited this place last year, and we both tried their “Tri-me sundae” which gives you a choice of three flavors with one topping and whipped cream, nuts and a cherry and is under $6. This time, I did the same thing, opting for the maple walnut, coffee oreo, and nutty buddy with hot fudge but no whipped cream, nuts or cherry. Trust me, there’s plenty with just the ice cream.

This is the type of ice cream that you just want to sit down, enjoy, and not over-think. I devoured the entire thing, but noted that the maple flavor in maple walnut dulls out as you eat so much of it and that the coffee Oreo is probably the best I’ve ever had because there are whole cookies dispersed throughout, not just crumbles.

I didn’t feel great for a little while afterward, but it felt great to gorge on some of the best ice cream in upstate NY.

I’m telling you, if you haven’t been, you really should make it a priority to check this place out soon (and FYI, aside from some vacation in January, they’re open all year!).

UPDATE: Good news for people in and travelling to Downtown Saratoga!