Lick Honest Ice Creams — Restaurant in Austin

Lick Ice Cream is decent--maybe above average--in terms of consistency and general ice creamness, but in terms of flavors, it's the best I've come across. They'll have some fairly-standard good flavors, such as Mexican Chocolate, but also plenty of unique, weird-but-good flavors, featuring combinations such as goat cheese, thyme, and honey, or cilantro and lime. Some of them sound gross, but they're all actually delicious (unless you have the cilantro-tastes-like-soap gene, in which case all but that one are delicious).

The vegan selection is small, but notable for the fact that they have a vegan selection, and doubly-so for still including weird awesome flavors. Coconut and avocado curd? Hell yes!

In addition to the standard normal and standard weird flavors, they have seasonal flavors that pop up throughout the year, so it's essential that you visit often. Seems there's a sweet potato flavor right now that I have yet to try.

The people there are super nice, even when you try half a dozen flavors before choosing one, or two, or three (because, really, who sticks to just one when you have choices like these?) Also, you can quickly earn a free cone by using your punch card, unless you're like me and forget it at home every time, resulting in a dozen half-filled punch cards sitting in a drawer.

The ingredients are locally sourced (at least to a reasonable extent), so that's nice.

The only thing that isn't perfect about Lick is that parking is limited, but you'll find a spot, and any frustration from that task will quickly be forgotten from the shock of sampling beet and mint ice cream and discover beets can...

I'm a full blown ice cream addict, so it's no surprise that I'm also a cult follower of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams out of Ohio. When I moved to Austin I was surprised that there weren't many gourmet or experimental ice cream shops in town. During the last year or so that all began to change. Little shops, trucks, and farm market stands have begun emerging all over town, pushing new and crazy flavors, farm to cone ingredients, and even dairy-free ice creams. It's a nice change of pace, and

Lick is a great example of the gourmet ice cream phenomena. I've been there many times now, and they are consistently improving the texture of both their dairy and non-dairy base. Their ice cream can sometimes be a bit on the icy/greasy side, but like I said, they are getting better. I'm sure their evolving texture has to do with their decision to forego additives and stabilizers. Their product is made in small batches, with care. That's pretty cool! The flavors are always creative, and usually very tasty, though I do wish they would alternate the non-dairy varieties more often.

If I could change one thing about Lick it would be the seating situation. The tiny milk stools are cute, but completely uncomfortable, and impractical for the constant crowds swarming their shop. The stoop and parking lot outside are equally unaccommodating, which is a bummer, because who wants to be uncomfortable while trying to enjoy an ice cream cone? I'm hoping that Lick will move to a new location in the future, or learn how to make better use out of the one they are in now.

Bottom line? Delicious, creative ice cream in a sort-of...

I love ice cream. I mean, who doesn't? But I'm damned particular. I want quality ingredients (no HFCS, please!), interesting and delicious flavors, and a really nice mouthfeel. I want it creamy, rich and delicious. Just like my men. ;)

Lick hits on the majority of this. They use Mill-King milk, which is the same brand I buy at home, which is a high quality product, as well as quite a bit of local sourcing and LOTS of fun and interesting flavors, many of which are quite delicious. Even the vegan (shut yo' mouth!) choices are darned tasty, although I don't know if they really qualify as ICE CREAM in that case. But they are good.

The ONLY thing that keeps Lick from getting a full 5 stars is the texture. I find their ice creams leave a bit of a slick feel in my mouth, kind of a coating of what I assume is fat. Now, I love high butterfat, but I have not found this before in other high-butterfat ice creams. So I'm not sure what it is, but I've sat outside enjoying my treat while hearing others talk about the same thing, so I know I'm not the only one. It's not awful or anything, just kind of weird.

The only other downside is that there can be a HECK of a line. But isn't that the case with all good things? The good news is that once you get your turn, you can make everyone else wait while you try ALL the flavors. And I highly suggest that you do!

Pro tip: I don't know where else they may retail, but you can pick up pints of Lick ice cream at in.gredients on Manor Road....