Who Wants Ice Cream?
by Michele Tourney
by Michele Tourney
When Katie asked me to come up with ideas for articles for the next couple of issues of Bibliofile, I naively assumed that by June it would be warm enough for students to start craving sweet and cool ice cream to assuage their fevered brains and taste buds. Silly me: I should have known better. Since when does Pennsylvania weather ever cooperate with one’s plans? Still, the mercury is supposed to rise into the 70s this week, so we’ll run the spot anyway, and hope for the power of suggestion.
Admittedly, I usually don’t go out for ice cream anymore, not since two wonderful guys entered my life: Ben & Jerry. My favorite place to eat ice cream is in my favorite comfy old recliner, curled up with a pint of “Makin’ Whoopie Pie” while watching ESPN or Comedy Central. But since that establishment can only hold one person at a time, here are five great places that offer cool treats to turn this place into the Buurrrrrrrrgh.
#1. Dave and Andy’s (207 Atwood St. - 412.681.9906). The best ice cream I’ve had in Pittsburgh. Made right on the premises. And they’re not mean when it comes to scooping out the ice cream. Although the prices are a little bit higher than normal, the quality is definitely worth it. Besides, you can justify the calories because you have to walk down to Atwood: it’s just around the corner from Eckerd off of Forbes. Dave and Andy’s is so cool they even have their own website (http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/~sayengar/DaveAndy/index.html) where you can order ice cream online to be delivered!
#2. Gullifty’s (1922 Murray Ave. – 412.521.8222). By default, since they serve Dave and Andy’s ice cream. Gullifty’s is conveniently located on Murray in Squirrel Hill, right across from the Giant Eagle; the 61C or 59U can drop you off at the front door. They too have their own website (http://www.gulliftysrestaurant.com/). However, if you’re going to Gullifty’s, I’d recommend that you get one of their fabulous desserts, and save the ice cream for later.
#3. Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor (2801 Penn Ave.). Klavon’s is a real honest-to-goodness ice cream parlor, restored to its full 1920s glory. Located on 28th and Penn in the Strip District, it even has a real soda fountain and counter, not to mention sinfully rich ice cream. Take a break from shopping for your fresh veggies and have a float! Their website is a bit much, though (http://www.klavonsicecream.com/).
#4. Rita’s Real Italian Ice (1985 Lincoln Way, McKeesport – 412.673.7482). A nice alternative to regular ice cream fare. I’ve not actually been to the one in Pittsburgh yet, but I love the one back home, so I’m sure it’s all good.
#5. Mineo’s Pizza House (2128 Murray Ave. – 412.521.2053 or 412.251.9864). Yes, Mineo’s is a pizza place (incidentally, the best pizza I’ve found in Pittsburgh, but that’s beside the point), but it also has that great little dessert shop adjoining. The flavor selection is a bit limited, but the ice cream’s good and best of all, it’s cheap. Enjoy a scoop or two after some pizza. Unfortunately, their website (http://www.mineospizza.com/) doesn’t include the flavor listings.
So there you have it, folks, my top five places to get ice cream in the Burgh. Don’t agree with me? Then send us your picks, and we’ll see if we can’t spin it into another ranking for July. In the meantime, I’m sure I’ll see you at one of these places this summer (after all, summer temperatures and leather recliners don’t mix all that well!)
Publication of the Department of Library &
Information Science
University of Pittsburgh
135 N. Bellefield Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Last updated April 21, 2003