Homestead Ice Creams & Novelties — Restaurant in Saskatoon

Disclaimer: never actually got to try their ice cream, keep reading to know why. I was visiting Saskatoon from Ontario and this place had good reviews and a reputation for having the best ice cream in town. However, it seems like good products aren’t the only thing you need in the food industry but the staff working there didn’t know that. I was wearing my mask, abiding by local safety regulations and walked in the store like one would do to explore and see what they offer. As soon as I was inside, I was (not) greeted by the server/ staff, instead a guy rudely asked what I was doing there since “I’m not staff” and I clearly stated that I wanted to check out their ice cream. What happened next just blew my mind. The guy got all snarky and said, and I quote, “if you had bothered to read the sign outside, you’d know that you need to order from outside”. Shocked, offended and in disbelief, I swiftly left this establishment. Treating people in such rude and vulgar ways is never acceptable during a pandemic or otherwise. Everyone is doing their best to adjust and adapt to this highly unstable new normal, we need to be patient, understanding and more tolerant. Had I noticed the sign outside (which I couldn’t find later) I would’ve happily placed my order over the phone or whatever system they had in place. It is such a shame to hear about places with good treats that don’t have the basic skills to treat their customers (or people in general). Please consider providing customer service training to your staff instead of having them spread negativity, tension and stress in already chaotic times. To future customers, make sure you are treated fairly and speak up if you feel the slightest bit...

Great icecream with many options available. They also have very good frozen yogurt. However the prices are very high for what you get and I don't feel the value is worth it aside from the occasional treat. When I went in yesterday the staff was very disorganized despite the place not being busy at all. I had to wait quite a while (10 min) for two icecreams when there was only one other person being served. While I was waiting I wasn't sure where to stand and felt awkward and in the way as another coustomer was selecting their flavour. I was also guestured to the till so I assumed that it was to pay for my order I was waiting on, but the cashier (separate from the one I had placed my order with) thought I hadn't been helped yet so when I told him I had already ordered and what that was he wouldn't ring me through and said that I could pay when my order was ready but when it was finnaly ready the cashier handed me my cones first making it very difficult to pull out my debit card and operate the mechine as my hands were full. I just wish that the other cashire was able to ring me through before my order was ready as he was not busy and had no other coustomers to help. I know this is very nit picky and not a big deal or anything I just think that they should be more aware of these sorts of things as it can be frustrating. Especially considering for two icecreams and one ginger ale I payed 13$. Overall I felt very anxious and awkward on what should have been a relaxing treat for me and my younger sister. I just feel it does not need to be such a hassle if they just rung you through before they scooped your cones, and didn't make you wait 10 minutes while...

Locally run, this ice cream shop has been a Saskatoon staple for years and with good reason - everything they make is killer.

And when I say everything, that's not a small list. You've got classic hard icecreams made fresh in house, as well as rotated gourmet flavors like avocado or lavender for the more adventurous patron. They do various types of flavoured soft serve (my favorite concoction being the british 99, which comes smothered in raspberry coulis and is served with a whole chocolate bar) as well as sundaes and blizzard-adjacent "twisters". You can also do floats and milkshakes, or select from a variety of premade frozen treats like icecream sandwiches (or this monstrous thing called a half-baked which is icecream sandwiched between a kickass brownie AND a cook) and frozen cheesecakes.

And as if that still wasn't enough, you could always try and tackle the dogs breakfast - monstrous ode to gluttony itself that will leave the average person begging for mercy. If you are at all curious to know the details, I highly recommend you check it out yourself. It won't dissapoint.

Even in all of that - arguably the best part is that homestead sells their icecream in buckets so you can bring the magic home. I dont know if I've covered everything, their menu is bonkers - but what I do know is that if any part of you enjoys icecream you will sure to find the perfect treat for the summer heat. As a guide, I cannot recommend this...