PHOENIX — Have you heard of the Dole Whip before? Of course, you have.
If you are a Disney fan, even a semi-fan, know someone who has been to Disneyland or Walt Disney World once or twice or have scrolled through Instagram a few times, you have likely seen or heard about the famous soft-serve dessert.
While not exclusive to Disney's parks, it is certainly a popular staple. (You can also get them at Dole's Plantation Grill in Hawaii and Milwaukee Zoo in Wisconsin.)
If you haven't had it before, it is essentially a dairy-free, gluten-free, and fat-free pineapple sorbet, according to Dole's website.
Even better, it turns out you no longer have to wait until your next Disney trip to get one to curb that craving. We were curious to see if any dessert shops in the Valley carried the beloved treat -- even an inspired version of it -- and our taste buds exploded. There are more than a handful of places that have it!
SODA RUSH
Good news for Soda Rush fans, the pineapple Dole Whip is now on the menu at all three of their locations year-round -- Mesa, East Mesa, and Gilbert -- as well as on their their three food trucks. This year, in honor of National Dole Whip Day, they're also selling the Dole Whip Sugar Smash, a sugar cookie with Dole Whip-flavored frosting. As for the other tasty treats they serve, they have a variety of soda concoctions, cookies and brownies, ice cream cones, fruit puree parfaits, cinnamon rolls, pretzels, and cotton candy.
Details: 9265 E Baseline Rd #104 Mesa, AZ 85209; 4202 E Main St. Mesa, AZ 85205; 1522 S Gilbert Rd #107 Gilbert, AZ 85296. More information.
KOIBITO POKE
The poke shop recently added the Pineapple Dole Whip to its location at Gainey Village in Scottsdale. However, it can be added to delivery orders through its other locations in Arcadia, Scottsdale, and south Chandler (beginning Friday, July 23). At Koibito, people can make their own poke bowls and salads.
Details: The SHOPS Gainey Village, 8877 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 406, Scottsdale AZ 85253. More information.
KAMANA'WANA
Kamana'Wana whips up a variety of colorful treats: Acai, bowls, Pitaya bowls, Hawaiian shaved ice, and the Dole Whip. Apparently, the Dole Whip was a recent addition. The staff told us, via email, that they had to add the dessert last year "because Google said we did and people were disappointed when they came in and we didn’t have it." It is now a permanent fixture on the menu. They offer it as soft-serve and as a pineapple float.
Details: 13825 North 19th Avenue in Phoenix. More information.
MOKU HAWAIIAN GRILL
Moku Hawaiian Grill opened a couple of years ago in Ahwatukee. It serves Hawaiian cuisine based on family recipes, according to its website. They have meat plates, bowls, and salads. Recently, they brought back strawberry Dole whips.
Details: 4302 E Ray Rd #114, Phoenix, AZ 85044. More information.
CREEK COOKIES AND CREAM
You may have to try to get past the cookie ice cream sandwich or the Rice Krispies ice cream sandwich or the doughnut ice cream sandwich first, but Dole Whips are on the menu at Creek Cookies and Cream in Cave Creek. It can be served in a cone, cup, or as a float. They have a raspberry pomegranate sorbet, which is also dairy-free.
Details: Shops at Dynamite Creek, 28248 N. Tatum Blvd. in Cave Creek. More information.
JOE'S ITALIAN ICE
Right in the heart of Tempe, and a short drive from Arizona State University, sits the red and green awning that marks Joe's Italian Ice (it is also next to Ted's Hot Dogs, another Tempe staple). They have more than 20 flavors of Italian ice, Joe Latti (Italian ice and soft serve ice cream), soft-serve, hand-scooped ice cream, floats, and sundaes. But, they also appear to have the famous Dole Whip. While we couldn't find it listed on their website, we did find it mentioned on their Instagram. Most recently, one Yelp user's wife said "it was spot on compared to Disneyland."
Details: 2019 S. McClintock Drive in Tempe. More information.
CREAMISTRY
Creamistry uses liquid nitrogen to instantly freeze its ice cream and sorbet, which makes for a wild Instagram video. They have different flavors and toppings, and shakes, called "creations." They also have the "Nitrodole," which is a pineapple sorbet. Creamistry now has two locations left in the Valley, Gilbert and Scottsdale Quarter.
Details: Gilbert, 335 N. Gilbert Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85234; Scottsdale Quarter, 15345 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85254. More information.
MENCHIES FROZEN YOGURT
Menchies has three official Dole sorbet flavors -- lemon, pineapple, and lime -- that you can choose and then top with different nuts, candies, fruits, and cereals. There are 10 locations around the Valley. More information.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN DOLE WHIP
If you want to make your own Dole Whips at home, Dole has a "DIY" (do it yourself) recipe posted online.
What you need:
- 1 cup pineapple juice, frozen in an ice cube tray
- 1 DOLE banana, peeled and frozen
- 2-1/2 teaspoons powdered sugar
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk beverage
How to make:
- Combine pineapple juice, banana, and powdered sugar in a blender.
- Blend until smooth and. gradually add coconut milk.
- Scrape the sides, if needed.
- Scoop into a cup or bowl and serve right away
Editor's note: This article was originally published on July 8, 2019. It was updated on July 19, 2021.
