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OUR GUIDE TO NEW IDEAS, TIPS, TRENDS AND THINGS WE LOVE IN OUR COUNTY.
WHO WANTS ICE CREAM?
ICE IS NICE These Monmouth County locations may serve other sweets, but all eyes are on their Italian ices: Igloo Italian Ice, Oakhurst. A new “ice age” is under way here as visitors choose among more than a dozen flavors, including Nutella and sour apple. • 2005 Route 35, Oakhurst, 732.531.5422; iglooitalianice.com
We all scream for ice cream during the dog days of summer, but let’s face it: The classic dessert is delicious any time of the year. The average American reportedly consumes 23 gallons of the sweet stuff annually, so if you’re not up to that pace, someone else is getting your share. You’d best head for one of these sweet spots to catch up: Cookman Creamery, Asbury Park. While the vanilla and chocolate here get our thumbs-up, we also love this shop’s specialty flavors, including caramel pretzel, matcha and honey lavender. Vegan? Pick from 17 flavors made with vegan bases such as coconut cream and almond butter. • 711 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, 732.361.5215; cookmancreamery.com
Hoffman’s Ice Cream, Long Branch, Spring Lake Heights. Voted “Best Ice Cream” in our 2020 Readers’ Choice Poll, this shop pleases with an array of fresh, rich ice cream (non-dairy and no-sugar desserts also available)—all made at its Point Pleasant flagship.
Strollo’s Italian Ice, Belmar. Unlike the similarly named Strollo’s Lighthouse stands along the Shore, this favorite serves ices in classic flavors from a yellow-and-blue shop on the Shark River. • 501 Main St., Belmar, 732.681.6147
Strollo’s Lighthouse, multiple locations. Each of the red, white and blue shops offers an abundance of ice flavors as well as ice cream and shakes. • strolloslighthouse.com
Uncle Louie G, multiple locations. This company has shops throughout the state; the ones in Monmouth are sweet escapes from the beachy heat. With pastel colors and candy-striped accents, even the storefronts make you feel like a kid again. • unclelouiegee.com
• 444 Ocean Blvd. N., Long Branch, 732.229.5500; 569 Church St., Spring Lake Heights, 732.974.2253; hoffmansicecream.net
Jersey Freeze, Holmdel, Freehold. Sweet tooths will find soft-serve and hardpacked ice cream (as well as fat- and dairy-free options) at both shops. Stop at the Freehold location if you want grub like burgers, cheesesteaks and sandwiches too. • 120 Manalapan Ave., Freehold, 732.462.3008; 101 Crawfords Corner Rd., Holmdel, 732.837.0355; jerseyfreeze1952.com
Rita’s Italian Ice, multiple locations. Rita’s is a crowd pleaser. Get a classic Italian ice or a frozen custard to cool off after a long day. • ritasice.com
Rudy’s on Main, Lake Como. With flavors like Sicilian cannoli and rainbow cookie, this recently opened shop’s following is sure to grow. • 1623 Main St., Lake Como, 848.204.0758; rudysonmain.com
Ryan’s Homemade, Tinton Falls. Don’t let the long lines at this old-school parlor deter you—the homemade ice cream and creative flavors (pumpkin is coming back soon, autumn lovers) are worth the wait. • 462 Shrewsbury Ave., Tinton Falls, 732.842.5874; facebook. com/ryanshomemadeicecream
Sundaes the Ice Cream Place, Aberdeen, Manasquan. Locals and outof-towners alike appreciate the consistency and great taste of the shops’ traditional and custom flavors, like Robert Brownie Jr. and Ooey Gooey Oreo.
AN APPLE A DAY
More than 30 varieties of apples grow in the Garden State. And now is the time to visit the orchards and fresh farm markets and take your pick, because there are plenty of pies to bake, teachers to please and doctors to keep away. Here are a few Monmouth County favorites: • Battleview Orchards, 91 Wemrock Rd., Freehold, 732.462.0756; battlevieworchards.com • Eastmont Orchards, 181 Rte. 537 E., Colts Neck, 732.542.5404; eastmontorchards.com • Red Wagon Farm Market, 437 Rte. 33, Manalapan; redwagonfarmnj.com • Wemrock Orchards, 100 Wemrock Rd., Freehold, 732.431.2668; wemrockorchard.com
• 1059 Route 34, Aberdeen, 732.566.0919; 2211 Rte. 35, Manasquan, 732.223.9555; sundaesicecreamplace. com
MONMOUTHHEALTHANDLIFE.COM
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