Graeter's Ice Cream — Restaurant in Carmel

My first visit to Graeter's was not a good one. Service was extremely slow, only one party before me, and after five minutes I asked them where the line was (as nothing was happening). There were 2 junior employees, one was probably being trained, and the other one helped the people in front of me. Eventually a manager (?) came and I asked her a couple of questions. I have never, and this is my fourth summer in Indiana after about 25 years in the West, never had such a hostile, passive aggressive help anywhere at a food establishment, and that includes various grumpy baristas and staff high on pot in Broad Ripple. This person (Marti?) basically barked at me, and at the end of each sentence made afake, teeth-barring smile which made me stutter to a point that I asked her if she was OK. I suppose it could have been the same person another reviewer mentioned... She was also slamming lids of the ice cream, and, overall, was trying to make me leave (we don't have this or that, no, we don't carry such and such). I had the Bourbon ball ice cream, which was unimpressive, fairly warm, and very sweet. Won't be back. This location / brand could learn a lot from Brics, and I will rather take the extra time to drive there for excellent service and superior ice cream.

After this unhelpful person left, the atmosphere got discernibly lighter and the young girl at the counter asked me very sweetly if I needed anything, right away. I hope she gets a better job and boss...

Graeter's ice cream is the best, no question. They produce it in small batches using a special process, and it really shows. The best part are any of the flavors with toppings mixed in. They use (and always have, before it was cool and all the other ice cream places started jumping on the bandwagon!) Very large pieces. I'm talking multiple full Oreos in the cookies and creme, huge dark chocolate chunks in any of the 'chip' flavors, etc. Much better than pulverized tiny little pieces. They have a good selection of flavors, some classics that they have all the time, and other seasonal options that are really good. Their lemon sorbet is also excellent. They have some standard add-on toppings like sprinkles, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, etc. As well as a few cone options. Their chocolate dipped waffle cone is delicious. Absolutely worth a try if you haven't been. Friday and Saturday evenings can be pretty busy (because the ice cream is so awesome), but they do a pretty good job getting people...

Mostly street parallel parking in full storefront public seating area display so get your skills on! You may have to park elsewhere and hike over.

Front room for ordering queues up and can block rear room seating area doorway, poor space and people flow.

Servers younger and courteous then we got to the cashier who acknowledged the gratuity with a low grunting noise, rudely turned away and more cheerfully greeted the next customer. Last impression poor service.

Back room seating area not visible to front room and as previously mentioned the doorway blocked by the ordering queue.

Few people sat indoors most go outside to the fountain weather permitting. Seating in front area has ordering queue winding through it which is disruptive.

First had Graeters ice cream In Cincinnati decades ago. There are many competitors now and differentiation becomes difficult. $30...