🍦 Mark here! If you know me you know I rarely go a day without ice cream. But it can’t just be any ice cream. Priority number one? It has to have “stuff” in it — and the chunkier the better. That’s why seeing the coming soon sign on a nondescript building off Highway 111 in Palm Desert had me pretty excited earlier this summer.
The spot: Handel’s, an Ohio-based chain that first opened in 1945 (read about it here), is new to the valley. Its Palm Desert location, located across the parking lot from Whole Foods, opened June 30.
The vibe: It’s a walk-up window with a few tables in the shade adjacent to an asphalt parking lot. You won’t be romancing the cone here.
On the menu: I went straight for the most popular of 40 flavors — Graham Central Station — which has graham ice cream (naturally) with “chocolate covered crunchies.” My dining partner had basic peach. Both of us had cones and neither of us were disappointed.
- Not in the mood for a cone? They’ve also got shakes, sundaes, blended “hurricanes,” and even pints to go.
The damage: We paid around $5 for our small cones. That’s pretty competitive in the valley for gourmet ice cream, especially since the small would be considered a large in many other places.
What they’re saying: “Ice cream from this place should be seriously listed as controlled substances.” — Roy, a Yelp reviewer from Cathedral City
But wait: Don’t want to trek to Palm Desert? You’ll soon be in luck. An Indio location is coming next, followed by others in La Quinta and Palm Springs.
Details: Handel’s is open from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. most days, and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s address is 44489 Town Center Way.
