PHOENIX — When it is 110-degrees outside, one of the best ways (and tastiest, we might add) to cool-off is with a scoop of ice cream.
The good news is that there are dozens of ice cream and dessert shops around the Valley. But, which one do you choose? Sure, we all have our favorites, but we're also on the hunt for other people's favorites. Maybe we can discover a new shop or two?
Well, Thrillist and Eat This, Not That, two websites that that share food news, recently came out with their own lists of the best ice cream shops in America, specifically in every state.
Eat This, Not That teamed up with review website, Yelp, in May to find the best ice cream shop in every state. Yelp reportedly identified businesses that were in the "ice cream" category and used its algorithm look at the number of reviews and star rating, according to Eat This, Not That's website.
According to their list, the best ice cream shop in Arizona is...Novel Ice Cream in Phoenix.
"Whether we choose to consult our virtual oracle or take a trip to the Grand Canyon State, this five-star-rated shop is as novel as its name implies," the article states. "Novel Ice Cream shop, a true hidden gem, jam-packs European-style waffles and glazed doughnuts with its artisanal scoops ranging from Butterbeer to Chai Tea."
Novel can be found in a space behind Third Space, near 11th and Grand Avenues in downtown Phoenix.
Thrillist's team of authors also published their "best of" list in May.
"This year's best ice cream shops represent everything that is well and good in the current ice-cream landscape. It includes new-wave artisan shops challenging the very notion of what should be placed on a cone (or stick, or between cookies), old-school parlors learning new tricks, new-school parlor trying to remind you of old-school ones, plant-based creameries, and much more," they wrote.
According to them, Arizona's best ice cream spot is Sweet Republic, who has locations in Phoenix and Scottsdale.
"The Scottsdale favorite -- known for using recycled materials -- has expanded to Phoenix, but the funky, inventive creamery has remained committed to its high-quality, impeccably crafted offerings, among them a Belgian chocolate masterpiece that would stand out in Brussels just as much as it does in the desert and a horchata number that you might be tempted to let melt and drink in a cup," they wrote.
The Scottsdale location is near Shea Blvd. and 92nd Street. The Phoenix shop can be found near 16th Street and Bethany Home Road.
You can see Eat This, Not That's full list, here.
You can view Thrillist's complete list, here.
