Afters Ice Cream — Restaurant in Azusa

Afters ice cream is has become a staple fixture in San Gabriel Valley, niching it’s success in this corner of Los Angeles County. Away from the other blossoming success stories in the main arteries of L.A. Metropolitania like Scoops, Salt & Straw and Coolhaus, Afters brands itself with a whimsical nostalgia for the sweet delectables that anyone can crave after lunch, dinner or just after work.

My first experience of their delicious fray was in their Pasadena location, where that location at a retro 1950s gas station turned scoop shop, really evokes a precious charm of the old days of Hollywood and roadsters. Not only did the venue make me curious to its delicacies that await, but the line really drove home that this was a place worth the wait.

This location, however veers from that vintage feel for a more stiffer, yet contemporary feel. Where the mood screams trendy and clean, but narrowed in personality and charm. The ambience is set amongst a very modern sound of hip-hop and world music, softening the colder stone walls that shape it. The personnel was welcoming and friendly, willing to take their time to engage our curiosities of the flavors they offer. Even when my daughter was asking to try the orange one, the blue one, the purple one, the green one and the black one.

If you haven’t tried Afters ice cream before…your mouth is missing out. Their staple flavors include a Thai iced tea that could mirror the best cup you’ve had in any part of the world, a Vietnamese coffee that really transports you to a coffee shop halfway across the globe, but their true victory of culinary prowess lies in the milk & cereal. I often find the best foods are often the most simple in concept, but cause your to feel connected with your past, and milk & cereal does this exact thing. Makes you feel all the warm and fuzzy feelings anyone who was a kid, making their corn flakes with milk and a bit of sugar. It’s simple, but the nostalgia runs powerful. And if you place it in one of their milk buns…forget it, I’m in La La land.

My only issue is with the pricing. One scoop is $5.25, but get in to the second scoop, and it’s only $7.75. It’s the entry fee to get a scoop that seems a little high given the second comes at half price. The incentive is there to get more, but if the richness of a scoop from here is very satisfying in itself, that it sometimes dampens the experience if you mix flavors. The pints are reasonably priced given the price of one scoop, but seriously could do with a drop in the pricing for one scoop to maybe $4.75 just to get...

I really wanted to like this location but unfortunately it just didn't happen.

Walked in Friday night at around 11:15pm, was greeted, asked what we would like and I asked for a milky bun. Unfortunately they said that they don't have any because they stop serving those right before closing. Mind you this is 45 minutes before closing. We decided to not get anything that night and the individual who was serving us looked really confused 😂.

Decided to go the next day because again, I really wanted to like this location. Walked in, no greeting, one individual took our order, went to pay and we both stood there for a second, looked at the payment pad showing our price. I asked the guy (another individual), are you ready for us to pay, and he looked at us and just pointed at the payment tablet. We paid, and the cashier didn't say a single word. The milky bun wasn't as good as I hoped, might have been the lack of customer service. Maybe this review will get management to cover some grounds as to what is...

Okay so where Afters shines is the different flavors that they have available. For awhile they had an acai ice cream (acai is my weakness) which was amazing. They also had a jasmine milk tea, which was also incredible. I love their unique and great flavors. In that regard, I really have no complaints at all.

This is...a bit lack luster. I wish that their service was a bit better. The first time I went it was fantastic, with no problems. The second time I went...I waited for like 10 minutes to be helped, and the staff was not particularly friendly. They were too busy chatting with their friends who were in the store at the same time.

It's trendy. It's kind of a fun place to hang out, so I'd definitely recommend going at least once. It attracts a college crowd, especially later at night.

I'd at least give it a try. If their employees could be a bit better and more efficient I would have given 5 stars. Otherwise, it's...