Handel's Homemade Ice Cream — Restaurant in Gilbert

Food: Well, I heard that it was good. After a double date, my parents, partner, and I wanted to go get ice cream but unfortunately I have a dairy-intolerance. We called ahead to ask if they had non-dairy ice cream available as we wanted to come in that night. They said they did and had the flavors of mixed berry and chocolate almond fudge (which YES, thank you, non-dairy-non-fruity ice cream flavors). So we all drove over to enjoy some ice cream. We stood in a very long line that surprisingly went pretty fast, my family asked for a few samples, but since I already knew what I was getting I didn't really have to ask. We finally get to the cash register and I order the only two flavors they said they had over the phone and they tell me they're sold out. I asked if it had just happened and they said no. I mentioned I had called ahead and they apologized and said they didn't think to tell me. You didn't think to tell someone that asked if you had non-dairy ice cream, who said they were coming in, that you were sold out? What?! Haha and then they proceeded to offer me Lemon flavored ice cream which wasn't even under the non-dairy list. My family had already gotten their scoops of ice cream and they seemed to enjoy it. So, I can't really speak for the food's quality myself. 😂

Atmosphere: Um...well if you don't like aesthetics and you really like warehouses, this is exactly what you'll get. There's no decor of any sort and no seating besides a few benches out front. You can't see any of the ice cream and there's no descriptions as to what they taste like or what's in them, so you really have to ask for samples to see what your getting.

Service: The service for samples and ordering ice cream is quick, so you don't have to be intimidated by the long line. The cashiers were kind but as I mentioned in the food portion of this review, not incredibly full of common sense. They weren't rude, but it's super disappointing that they would forget to tell a limited customer about the ice cream for those with dietary restrictions and forget to tell them it's sold out.

Overall: To be completely honest, this was not a fun experience for my partner, my family, or me. There weren't places to sit, not many aesthetically pleasing things to look at, and a complete lack of communication between customer and server. Would I go again? Maybe, after first asking repeatedly over the phone if they actually have ice...

Prior to the pandemic, my wife and I were regular customers at Handel's. The ice cream was excellent, and the portions were typically substantial. We repeatedly enjoyed the shop's waffle cones with two scoops, cups with two scoops, and also ordered their shakes - which were excellent as well. Had I written this review based on our pre-pandemic experiences, it would have been nothing but "two thumbs up" and "5 Stars."

We visited Handel's today for the first time since the pandemic started. While being as cautious as possible, we are also trying to support local businesses where we can. When we pulled up to the shop, there was one bench outside with two people sitting and enjoying their ice cream. There was a second bench with three people seated on it, also enjoying their Handel's ice cream.

My wife and I walked inside and were greeted promptly, as we were the only customers in the store. We ordered a 2-scoop dish - which we were going to take back to our air conditioned car and eat with our own sanitized spoons.

We watched as the server behind the counter scooped out the smallest portion we have ever been given at an ice cream venue - bar none. The supposed 2 scoops truly amounted to - maybe - 1 1/4 scoops at most. But realistically, the supposed 2 scoops was likely closer to a total of 1 scoop - by the measurements at any normal ice cream shop, let alone Handel's typical generosity.

I usually write reviews on Google to give plaudits where deserved - but to also warn others when things just don't "add up". And for our $5.12, what we received today was wholly inadequate by any measurement or stretch of the imagination.

We will chalk today's experience up to a local "mom & pop" type shop that has likely suffered dire financial consequences the past few months. However, especially for regular customers like us that have spent a significant amount of time and money at Handels, we're hoping this is not the new norm going forward; if this is, indeed, the new way Handel's will be doing business, we'll gladly take our $$$ elsewhere.

It's a shame, as the owner is truly nice, and the place serves a good product. We hope they get back to some semblance of normalcy in the...

I don’t usually give less than 5 star reviews, but…

we were just introduced to this place on a visit to Utah and LOVED it at 2 different locations there. I was excited to come to one in my home area and repeat the positive experience.

I drove out of my way to come indulge and this location has different flavors than the ones we had already tasted in Utah so I asked if I could just taste 2 of the flavors that were new and I was told they don’t do samples. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Both locations in Utah let us sample flavors without hesitation so I was surprised by this response. 🧐🤔

Well, if I can’t taste the flavor, I know if I can add almonds I’ll enjoy whatever flavor I get so I proceeded to confirm that I could add almonds to my ice cream (which I had also done in Utah). Immediately shot down again. “No, you cannot add almonds”. I said I’m happy to pay for them and was told it’s not an option. I asked if they are different because they are franchises and he said, “They’re not supposed to be.” So I asked how I could contact the owner and he offered to give me the store phone number, but the owner isn’t in so I asked how I could contact him directly and was told I could write a review here and wait to hear back. So, I’m writing a review here.

Gary, I was so excited to learn we had a Handel’s in our area, but your store “policies” quickly took the wind out of my sails, sadly. I wanted to provide you feedback on how you can improve your customer’s experience in the future. Most humans love options and if those humans are happy to pay for an added item, I highly recommend you allow them to pay for desired toppings. Unless I’m missing something, I don’t understand an establishment that isn’t motivated to grant its customer’s wishes (that they are willing to pay extra for) as that will give them a positive experience and they will then tell others about it and promote the product you are selling.

Your policies squashed my excitement about having this establishment nearby, but thank you for saving me the calories I shouldn’t have even considered eating before noon. 🙏🏼🤣

They did contact me and were very nice and tried to explain their policies so I upped...