Written and Photographed by Luke Irvin
Soda Jerk Milkshake Bar
A visit to Soda Jerk is nothing short of a magical experience. Named after people who used to serve soda in drugstores – think early 1900’s – this small dessert outpost serves “outrageous, handcrafted milkshakes & ice cream floats, gourmet hot chocolates, and craft sodas.” Their Killer Shakes (pictured on the left) are a spectacle to behold, sporting ingredients like fruity pebbles, PB & J sandwiches, and even Pop Tarts. The husband and wife founders have done a tremendous job creating eye-catching treats that are more than just a sugar bomb. The attention to detail makes this retro-inspired milkshake bar a must visit, with treats that taste even better than they look! There is even a secret to Soda Jerk that the staff might let you in on if you ask nicely…
Pie Snob
Razzleberry, Key Lime, Coconut Custard, and our favorite the Caramel Apple Pie. Pie Snob fills their rotating menu with a wide variety of scrumptious pies that will have anyone going for an extra slice of heaven. Visitors can purchase treats by the slice, but we recommend just going for a full pie! They load the beautiful creations with copious amounts of delicious fruit, or whatever flavor you go with. Pie snob even has a variety of exotic cheesecakes that rival any we’ve seen. Don’t just take our word for it, people rant and rave about the sweet staff and even sweeter pies online. Pie Snob’s slogan is “Life’s too short to eat bad pie,” and we couldn’t agree more!
Shakes and Cones
Shakes and Cones is a sugary hole-in-the-wall (literally) right in the middle of Old Town Scottsdale. This walk up creamery serves a variety of tasty treats from milkshakes to affogato. Their creations are some of the most classic on this list, but that isn’t what sets Shakes and Cones apart from other dessert places. This local family-owned creamery actually serves organic, gluten-free, egg-free, non-gmo, small batch soft serve made entirely without preservatives. So while you enjoy a cone dipped in chocolate or sprinkles, you can rest easy knowing you’re being somewhat healthy. Since Shakes and Cones is among so many outstanding local shops, you can even walk the sugar off!
Snoh Ice Shavery
Snoh Ice Shavery is serving up some of Arizona’s most irresistible Asian treats. The menu sports their flagship shaved ice aka Snoh as well as milk teas and slushies. The frozen Snoh (traditionally referred to as BaoBing) is a light and fluffy ice cream type dessert that has a texture unlike any we have tried before. Both the shaved ice and the drinks come in an extensive list of flavors, including their sensational traditional taro flavor. Patrons can also choose from a list of addons including custard pudding, rainbow jelly, and honey boba! The Purple Rain Snoh combo (pictured on the right) is our recommendation, and you can’t go wrong with any milk tea and boba.
Toasted Mallow
Imagine a bouquet of fluffy, gourmet marshmallows freshly toasted in a homemade graham cracker bowl, then coated with oreo crumble, peanuts, and anything else your heart desires. Next to your scratch made s’more is a frozen hot chocolate milkshake with luscious marshmallow fluff plumped on top. This dessert dream is a reality at Toasted Mallow in Gilbert, Arizona. At Toasted Mallow guests can choose from a variety of confections and drinks at the original marshmallow and s’mores bar. There is a massive selection of marshmallow flavors, ranging from pumpkin spice to coffee, and even mint. Toasted Mallow also has an on-premise and online retail store where fans can purchase their own fluffy treats and merchandise.