Gibson’s Soft Serve — Restaurant in Bowling Green

I recently visited Gibson’s for the second time and was once again impressed by the quality of their custard. As someone who has long enjoyed the iconic Carl’s Ice Cream in Fredericksburg, I can confidently say that Gibson’s custard is cleaner, smoother, and—dare I say—even better. The craftsmanship behind their product is outstanding.

Unfortunately, while the ice cream itself was exceptional, the customer service experience fell significantly short during my second visit. While I won’t speculate or assign motives, I did notice a sharp change in the demeanor of the staff compared to my first visit. I was met with passive behavior, lack of communication, and an overall dismissive attitude. When I acknowledged the difference in service and attempted to express my concerns, the response was neither receptive nor solution-oriented.

One staff member, when approached outside, initially recommended contacting the owner. I appreciated the gesture, but having already communicated the issue clearly, I preferred it be addressed internally. Instead, I was confronted mid-sentence and asked to stop speaking altogether—not for being disrespectful or loud, but simply for voicing my concern. Meanwhile, the initial staff behavior that led to this situation remained unaddressed.

What was most disheartening wasn’t just the lack of hospitality—it was the apparent unwillingness to separate personal dynamics or perceptions from professional service.

Great products alone don’t justify poor treatment of customers.

I sincerely hope this review is taken as constructive feedback. I would very much like to return with my family and support a local business whose product I genuinely admire. However, I can’t do so unless I have assurance that all guests—regardless of who they are or what conversations they’ve had—will be welcomed and treated with the same level of respect and care that any paying customer deserves.

Should the owner wish to address this and extend an invitation to return under better circumstances, I would gladly consider it, hoping to update this to a 5 star for how a disfavorabke situation can be turned into impressive response.

— A Former Fan Hoping for a...

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Gibson's Ice Cream Shop offers a quaint and charming atmosphere, perfect for a weekend treat with the kids. Housed in what used to be an old gas station, the shop has a unique vibe with seating options only on the outside side of the business.

The menu is quite delightful, with a lot of menu choices that are sure to please the palette. However, when it comes to their custard, it's just average. If you're a fan of sundaes, you might find them a bit disappointing as the wet toppings are on the scant side. A few bites in, and you're mostly left with custard, which could be more generous in terms of toppings distribution throughout the cup, not just on top.

The pricing at Gibson's is on the steeper side for what you get. You're paying for the experience as much as the ice cream itself. The staff serve quickly, which is great when you've got eager children in tow, but don't expect much in the way of warmth or chattiness.

Overall, Gibson's is a nice local spot for an occasional treat. The ambiance scores high, but there's room for improvement in product consistency and...

We drove from Fredericksburg to try Gibson's Ice Cream. So worth the drive (it's roughly 30 minutes, not bad at all). The ice cream was amazing, just the right amount at a good price. The building is bright and airy, very clean. There is a good amount of seating outside, and they have cute merch for sale inside. We will most...