Sweet Treats to Beat the Heat: Where to Find Ice Cream and Other Frozen Treats in Tulsa
When the thermometer starts its inevitable climb toward triple-digits, don’t sweat: That’s what ice cream (and its frosty kin) is for. From sno cones to gelato to popsicles to good ol’ fashioned (but totally reimagined) ice cream, here are some of our favorite places to find ice cream – and more – in Tulsa.
Rose Rock Microcreamery
Photo by Sheeba Atiqi
Downtown Tulsa: 113 E. 5th St.
Broken Arrow: 115 N. Main St., Broken Arrow
Cherry Street: 1601 E. 15th St.
How Do I Eat You? Let Me Count the Ways: Cups, cones, floats, s’mores, affogato, ice cream sandwiches, pints, flights and pies!
When asked about Rose Rock’s flavor offerings, concept creator and strategic planner Jason Decker says, “We look at our dairy like a painter looks at their canvas. Some days we just get inspiration by what we see at the store.” This approach means that Rose Rock frequently updates their menu with unique flavor combinations (olive oil and lemon, anyone?) while also keeping crowd favorites for longer periods of time.
Decker says that their status as a local small business makes partnering with similar businesses a priority, so they purchase many of their ingredients from local farms or bakeries.
If you are looking for dairy-free or vegan options, they have both. Decker says, “I would argue that we have the best no-dairy offerings you can get anywhere.”
Josh’s Sno Shack
Photo by Sheeba Atiqi
71st and Garnett, 91st and Memorial, 111th and Memorial, Golden Driller, Jenks (Main and Elm), 81st and Yale, 81st and Aspen, 37th and Peoria, 151st and Memorial (Bixby), Homeland Parking Lot (Stillwater), Wilson’s Tall Chief gas station (Skiatook)
Sno Delicious: Try the Dragon Slayer, a mix of peach, pink lemonade and dragon fruit flavors! Or visit their website and hunt for their “secret menu” of staff favorites.
Josh’s Sno Shack was born out of young love and the dream of helping Tulsans create great summer memories. Josh Juarez started the business after his freshman year of college as a way to support himself and his high school sweetheart, to whom he is now married, through college. Today, Josh’s Sno Shack has over eight locations, with more to come.
To get updates on the newest flavors and locations, follow @joshssnoshack on Facebook and Instagram. And, if you want Josh’s all to yourself, go to joshssnoshack.com/events for information about their catering options.
Big Dipper Creamery
Photo by Sheeba Atiqi
Mother Road Market: 1125 S. Lewis Ave.
Sand Springs: 120 N. Main St., Sand Springs
Brookside: 3633 S. Peoria Ave.
NOMA: 11th and Lewis
Take a dip: Big Dipper Creamery features 12+ flavors at a time at their Mother Road Market location—and they encourage you to sample them all!
Sami and Brian Cooper’s dream of starting an ice cream business originated at home. “We started making ice cream in our kitchen, which led to sharing it with our family and friends—we loved seeing the joy it brought them and we wanted to bring the same joy to our community,” says Sami Cooper.
Having noticed an under-filled niche for “premium, locally made ice cream,” their dream became a reality through participation in the Kitchen 66 program, which helps kickstart Tulsa food businesses by providing important resources and training.
In 2018, Kitchen 66 expanded into the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation’s Mother Road Market at 11th and Lewis, and Big Dipper Creamery was among the first occupants.
When asked what is most rewarding about owning an ice cream business in Tulsa, Cooper responded, “We know this community appreciates quality and creativity, which is why we feel really supported here. Ice cream is a feel-good food that we take seriously, and sharing it with our patrons is incredibly rewarding.”
Gaetano’s Pizzeria and Creamery
Photo by Sheeba Atiqi
12141 S. Elm St., #105, Jenks
Better Together: No one’s judging if you want ice cream for dinner, but if you decide to go with something more substantial, Gaetano’s also offers quality pizza inspired by owner Doug Mitcho’s Italian heritage.
Gaetano’s is a true family business. Co-owners Doug and Jennifer Mitcho named the business after Doug Mitcho’s grandfather, Gaetano Antonio Guadagnino, who loved gardening and cooking and was known as a “uomo di respetto,” or “man of respect” by his Italian peers, and they strive to honor his memory by prioritizing responsibility, respect and relationships in running their restaurants.
Gaetano’s serves Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, a family-owned business located in Wisconsin known for its creaminess and unique flavors loaded with “extras” like Oreo chunks, caramel swirls, etc. Want more good news? Gaetano’s delivers. According to Doug Mitcho, “A pint of ice cream is a very popular choice when it can be delivered right to your front door.”
Other Places to Find Ice Cream and More in Tulsa:
Ice Cream+
- Bixby Ice Cream Co., 16 N. Armstrong St., Bixby
- Braum’s, of course! (Multiple locations)
- Cherry and Bark, 1732 S. Boston Ave.
- CrunchTown Ice Cream and Cereal Bar, 118 N. Greenwood Ave.
- Freezing Cow Rolling Ice Cream, 7025 S. Memorial Dr.
- Kremee Taiyaki, 8316 E. 61st St. #106
- La Tapatia, 1938 S. Garnett Rd.
- Little Taiyaki, 24 E. Dewey Ave., Sapulpa
- Marble Slab Creamery, 500 Riverwalk Terrace, Jenks; 403 W. Stone Wood Dr., Broken Arrow
- Market on Main (formerly Rustic Gate Creamery), 101 W. Main St., Jenks
- Sugar Llamas, multiple locations
- Swirl 66, 1802 S. Cincinnati Ave
Soda Fountain + Sensational Shakes
- MAD Eats, 201 S Main St. STE #130, Owasso
- Society Burger, 1419 E. 15th St.; 9999 S. Mingo Rd.; 901 E. Kenosha St. #935, Broken Arrow
Frozen Custard
- Andy’s Frozen Custard, multiple locations
- Freddy’s Frozen Custard, multiple locations
Pops!
- Deb’s Pineapple Whip & Pop Shoppe, 96th and Riverside
- Frios Gourmet Pops, 105 N. Greenwood Ave.
Gelato
- Glacier Confection, 1902 Utica Square and 10051 S. Yale Ave.
Shaved Ice and More
- Bria’s Italian Ice & Ice Cream, 10106 S. Sheridan Rd.
- Cactus Cones, 13729 Oklahoma 51, Coweta
- Iguana Island Treats, 71st and 169, 51st and Harvard
- Roppongi, 601 S. Boston Ave.
- Sandlot Sno-Balls, 250 S. Highway 97 #A, Sand Springs; 11A W. 41st St., Prattville
- Sweet Em’s Snow Cones, 11330 N. Garnett Rd., Owasso
Originally published in 2017. Updated regularly
