Whether in a cone or dish, a shake or float, here's where to get ice cream and other frozen treats in the Fond du Lac area
FOND DU LAC – July is National Ice Cream Month, which is fitting for the heat that comes with a Wisconsin summer.
Ice cream, frozen custard and other desserts are versatile in presentation, often served in cones, dishes, shakes, floats and more, offering a cold respite from a day of sunshine and summer activities.
Here's where in the Fond du Lac area you can get a scoop, or another frozen treat.
Cowlicks Cones & Floats
New to Fond du Lac's ice cream scene, Cowlicks Cones & Floats, 248 S. Park Ave., opened in April with ice cream and drinks.
A rotating variety of ice cream flavors are available in cones or dishes, and ice cream floats are made with Jolly Good soda. The menu also includes customizable drinks, such as Italian sodas and plant-based energy drinks, with available add-ons like popping boba pearls or coconut milk.
Cowlicks also has a truck at the Downtown Night Markets with ice cream, floats, energy drinks and a new limeade menu, according to its Facebook page. The next night market is July 25 on Main Street.
Cowlicks is open noon to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays and 3 to 9 p.m. Mondays.
Kelley Country Creamery
Kelley Country Creamery, W5215 County Road B, made a name for itself as "the best ice cream in the middle of nowhere," surrounded by the Fond du Lac countryside and the Kelley family farmstead.
Ice cream selections also change on a regular basis, but the July flavor of the month is Coffee Chip: coffee ice cream with chocolate chunks. Featured sundaes for the month include PB S'mores, Giant Grasshoper and Sunset on the Lake, the last of which tops strawberry ice cream with blueberries and vanilla cake crunch.
Extended summer hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Aug. 18.
Gilles Frozen Custard
Fond du Lac's famous drive-in, Gilles Frozen Custard, 819 S Main St., offers frozen custard in a myriad of ways, from a cone to a dish to a Gillie Cookie sandwich.
The menu includes a number of sundaes, such as the Turtle Sundae; Kathy's Caramel Cashew; the Tin Roof with butterscotch and Spanish peanuts; the Carly Grand with strawberries, hot fudge and pecans; and the Packer Sundae with hot fudge, bananas and crushed nuts.
Frozen custard is also the feature in floats and shakes, and is an optional add-on to slushes.
For its 75th anniversary, special edition merchandise — including sweatshirts and tumblers — is available online at gillesfrozencustardfdl.com.
Gilles is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Gilles anniversary: Gilles marks 75 years in Fond du Lac, built on its original values of quality food, friendly service and cleanliness
CC's Chocolates Cafe
CC's Chocolates Cafe, 57 N. Macy St., is known for its selection of handmade chocolates and cheesecakes, but also offers several flavors of ice cream.
Whether a treat on its own or a supplement to lunch or coffee at the cafe, the ice cream can also be served as a float or doused in espresso for an affogato.
CC's Chocolates Cafe is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.
The Bagelmeister
In addition to its variety of bagels, schmears and sandwiches, Cedar Crest ice cream is also available at The Bagelmeister, 110 S. Main St.
Eight flavors are available, and as of July 10, the flavors have included vanilla, strawberry, rainbow sherbet, cherry cheesecake, cookies 'n cream, Superman, bourbon butter pecan and Mackinac Island Mint Fudge — all served in cake cone, waffle cone or a dish.
The Bagelmeister is open 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.
La Clare Creamery
After a tour of La Clare Creamery, W2994 County Road HH in Malone, or after a session of goat yoga, the creamery has a café open with outdoor seating available for a lunch of salad, sandwiches and more.
Ice cream is available for dessert, including both goat milk and cow milk varieties.
The café is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.
Guth's Candy
Among its variety of chocolates, candies, popcorn and other treats, Guth's Candy, 928 E. Main St. in Waupun, has a number of ice cream treats.
These include soft serve or hand-scooped options, sundaes, shakes, malts and ice cream nachos with waffle chips.
As for cold drinks, a new addition this month is the option to add boba pearls to a favorite menu drink.
Guth's Candy is open 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.
Hamburger Haus
Hamburger Haus, N3059 State 67 in Campbellsport, is a popular stop for a burger or ice cream for visitors in the area.
A constantly changing variety of Cedar Crest ice cream can be served in a choice of size — up to a triple scoop — or in a shake or float. "Pup cups" are also available to include pets in on the fun.
Hamburger Haus is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
County fair: Fond du Lac County Fair runs July 17-21, with all the classic rides, food and entertainment
Save the date for Fond du Lac County Historical Society's ice cream social
The Fond du Lac County Historical Society will host its 68th annual Ice Cream Social at 11 a.m. Aug. 11, with this year's theme honoring Wisconsin-born Laura Ingalls Wilder and her "Little House" books.
Alongside ice cream and food, entertainment will be provided by Peter Eisenhauer playing songs featured in the books on the fiddle, as well as the band Page Four and the Campbellsport High School Show Choir.
Jessica Michna will portray Wilder for the event, and The Wisconsin Wheelmen will ride penny farthings and other period bicycles. Other activities include kids' games, the Cristo Rey Ranch Petting Zoo, and Living History in the Print Shop, Vet Office, School House and Steam Engine Shed.
For more information, visit fdlhistory.org.
Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Best places for ice cream in the Fond du Lac area
