Handel's Homemade Ice Cream — Restaurant in Austin

I must confess right up-front that I do not run out to visit every new dessert place that opens here in Austin. But in the case of this new Handel's Ice Cream shop, I was attracted by several bits of info: Homemade since 1945, created by Alice Handle one batch at a time, using her recipes & the fruit from her own garden. Well, not only has Handle's grown from coast-2-coast, it seems to develop a dedicated following wherever a new store opens. So, based on that info, I decided that I'd visit this new location with a friend to check it out & get a 2nd opinion.

The 1st thing I saw when I walked in the door was: "This doesn't look like any ice cream store I've ever been in!" There's a counter where you order from a Staff person, nothing new there, but behind that person are numerous, large, white Freezer Chests and this is where they keep their freshly made(daily) ice cream. One of the staff members will scoop out Your order by hand... then bring it over to you.

My friend & I shared 6 different flavors. The ice cream is more "dense" than any I can remember. It is not a light, airy product and none of the flavors tasted of a sugar overload. "Homemade" is the word that comes to mind, like comparing a store bought apple pie to one made at home...it's just different in all the best ways.

Located off 620. Parking is good, several tables outside, and a small grassy fenced area for kids to play in.

Final words: The best ice cream I've had in Austin and it's...

The Cedar Park Foodies group has come through with another fantastic find! This place was awesome-very family friendly. From the plethora of ice cream flavors to the old school vibe of the shop, this ice cream spot has it all. I was even pleasantly surprised to discover they have a playground for the kids! That way after they eat their ice cream they can run around and burn off all of that sugar, lol! I had the birthday cake flavor ice cream and it might be on my top 5 list of the best birthday cake ice cream I've ever had-we are talking chunks of cake and icing mixed in with the ice cream-divine! Service was great, the employees let us sample any flavor of ice cream we wanted before for making a selection, and the portion sizes are WILD! One of their mottos is "We Don't Skimp" and they absolutely lived up to they saying. We got a medium and it was HUGE-multiple scoops of ice cream. I think next time we'll go with the small size but even that is a hefty serving! Look forward to making a return trip-the perfect way to cool off after a long day outside or by the pool. They've got seating inside and outside as well where you can enjoy your ice cream. Don't forget the playground after! Your kids...

Last year I took my family to Europe for a few weeks. We spent over a week in Italy. We ate gelato every single day, the best we could find in Rome, Florence, and Tuscany. (BTW the best is San Gimignano. Go to the main square and look for the longest line and order the Italian Garden flavor.)

As soon as we landed, I drove to the nearest Amy's. I wanted to test if the best ice cream in Austin was as good as what I could get on any corner shop in Italy, and I didn't want the memory to fade before I could judge.

I couldn't have been more disappointed. It was mediocre. Weak flavor. Bad texture. I assumed that I would just never enjoy ice cream again, at least until I forgot what good ice cream tasted like.

And then my friends opened Handel's. Of all the ice cream I've had in Austin, this is the closest I've found to the best ice cream in the world.

It's perfectly creamy, every flavor is spectacular, and the portions are as generous as any Italian gellataria.

The only one I've enjoyed more is my wife's homemade Cherry Garcia made with raw milk and duck egg yolks.

Stop looking. My ice cream lovers! You have found your...