Whether you’ve been on the road all day, on the water, on the sand or in the forest, we all need to cool down and quench our thirst in the summer heat. Where to go for refreshment? We’ve done the homework for you and have these top spots for icy summertime treats to try next time you’re exploring the Oregon Coast.
A favorite by visitors and locals alike, Frite & Scoop on Astoria’s downtown riverwalk has got both the sweet and savory for you. Here, you can enjoy your cool treat or crisp, salty fries in the shop or outside as you spy sea lions. A dozen rotating ice cream flavors include everything from raspberry shortbread and lemon pie to strawberry Oreo and almond rose.
Prepare for indulgence at Zinger’s Homemade Ice Cream in Seaside, which proudly offers ice cream that’s 16-percent butterfat — calories for a day well spent. Zinger’s uses local ingredients in their flavor combos, such as Oregon black cherry, made with fresh cream, milk, cane sugar and pounds of black cherries for tart and sweet perfection.
From Blue Hawaiian to Bahama Mama, Tropics Island Grill in Rockaway Beach brings the breezy ocean vibes with shave ice from their food cart in the parking lot just south of the little red caboose. Try it Hawaiian-style, with your choice of coconut or vanilla ice cream with a sweet cream drizzle on top.
The renovated Tillamook Creamery is one of the biggest attractions on the Oregon Coast for good reason. There are giant waffle cones of classic and seasonal flavors, as well as all sorts of fresh dairy goodness in the form of melty grilled cheese and clam chowder, plus free cheese samples upstairs.
Warning: The fro-yo at SubZero Swirlz in Newport just may be habit-forming. A dizzying array of self-serve flavors and toppings at this cheery spot, just off Highway 101, makes for an easy pit stop when temperatures heat up. Three words to get your mouth watering: Pineapple Dole whip.
A coastal icon along Highway 101 since 1978, BJ’s Ice Cream Parlor in Florence now has nine Oregon locations, including North Bend, Winchester Bay and Newport. Crave-worthy flavors include Oregon Trail, huckleberry, black raspberry cheesecake and salted caramel.
You can choose between dozens of small-batch ice cream flavors at Scoops in North Bend, and in case you’re still hankering for more, they’ve got handcrafted sodas, milkshakes, malts and floats — with a cherry on top, of course.
Find Umpqua Dairy ice cream at Face Rock Creamery just outside of Old Town Bandon, just past the tempting cases of artisan cheeses. This cool and airy family-favorite road trip spot was named for Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, just a couple miles away, overlooking the ocean. Make sure to look for the face profile in the rock formation.
Story by Jen Anderson
Frite & Scoop photo by Joni Kabana