The Dolly Llama — Restaurant in Asheville

I love bubble waffle ice cream shops so I had high hopes for this place. Here's my honest takeaway...

ATMOSPHERE: Fun, clean, love the colors and the funky pop niche of it all. SELECTION: great selection to choose from WAIT TIME: expect to wait a few minutes per item ordered if waffles are involved. This can lead to lines pretty quickly. PRICE: pricier than most (expect an average of $10-$15pp) WAFFLES: The fresh made bubble waffle cones were very good. They could easily be enjoyed on their own with some toppings other than ice cream and you'll be very happy. There's a 2nd kind of waffle... I'm unsure if they're made in house but they are the snack waffles that you buy on the shelf if that helps describe them... Neither myself nor my kids were big fans of those ones so in the end they didn't get eaten. ICE CREAM: we have one dairy free family member so it's always great when we find an ice cream place that offers vegan options. The rest of us got regular ice cream. The ice cream was honestly very disappointing... It tasted as though it had been freezer burnt or thawed a bit and frozen again... Very icy (ice crystals). We got scoops on the waffle cone and the other little waffles. All ice cream was icy (4 flavors). Maybe it'd be better in a shake.

All of that said, would I come back? Probably... Although I can't say it would be at the top of my list. But I respect that this is a new business and there are kinks to work through in the beginning. I can also tell that the employees care and were doing their best. So I definitely believe in second and third chances... Especially where I've cream is involved and I think this fun little biz will be around for...

I’ve lived in Asheville for ten years and this is perhaps one of the worst places I’ve visited by far. To start, the atmosphere is gross. The fluorescent lighting and acoustics were terrible and they had a freezer full of EMPTY pint containers. So if you thought you might just grab some to go, you’re mistaken. You’ll have to wait for them to fill that up with their store bought ice cream. That’s right - no homemade ice cream here. They serve Blue Bell Ice cream!!! Serve is an understatement too. There was one person who made an attempt to demonstrate some level of customer service, by giving a “run down” of the waffles. He even went so far to describe the flavor as “unique” - Spoiler alert, unique is not good. The remaining three people “working” there seemed to be annoyed that we were there. One of them must have been in the process of “washing dishes” which meant turning on the water in an unattended sink to run gallons upon gallons of water down the drain while they chatted with their friends. I don’t take time to write many reviews, so please recognize that this was REALLY BAD!

If you really want Blue Bell ice cream, I recommend you save yourself some money and go to Ingles down the street, where the customer service may or may not be much better. If you want good ice cream with a really sweet vibe, I recommend you head a little further down Long Shoals to Annie B’s where they make their own ice cream and have far better...

If you're looking for the perfect place to satisfy your sweet tooth, The Dolly llama is a must- have! From the moment I stepped in, I was greeted with a cozy atmosphere and friendly staff who were more than happy to help me choose from their impressive selection of flavors. The ice cream itself is outstanding—rich, creamy, and full of flavor in every scoop. They have a wide variety, from classic favorites like vanilla and chocolate to unique options like salted caramel and mint chocolate chips. I highly recommend the mini ice cream sandwiches which is a delightful combination of ice cream toppings and a warm waffle. What really sets this shop apart, though, is the level of creativity they bring to their menu. You can customize your order with toppings, cones, and even sundaes, making each visit a new adventure in flavor. Prices are reasonable, and the portions are generous. Plus, the shop is always clean and welcoming, making it a great place to enjoy your treat with friends or family. Overall,The Dolly Llama offers a fantastic ice cream experience that I can't wait to return to. Whether you're a fan of the classics or something more adventurous, there's a flavor here...