Wanderlust Creamery — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Excellent flavors, super fun names. Definitely recommend the sticky rice and mango (a signature). Upon entering, I ordered at the kiosk & got a text confirming order ($1 tip is chosen automatically before ANY interaction with staff). My friend wanted some samples before ordering. I then followed my friend and got in line as I really enjoyed the list of unique flavors on the menu and was excited to try some samples too, especially after seeing folks in front of us trying a whole bunch of samples. As my friend and I walked up to the counter and started sampling, we were sternly told there's a limit of trying 3 samples only (which is fine as a policy but wasn't the case for the family and a few others in front of us). I could be wrong but felt a bit discriminated against, wished there was a sign stating this policy so that I could manage my expectations accordingly instead of embarrassing myself asking for a fourth sample like that. Because I was feeling uncomfortable, I quickly wanted to get out of there so while my friend stammered his order I showed the staff the order confirmation text. He looked very surprised and told me the order will be out soon. My friend got his order before me, even though I had ordered through the kiosk 10 minutes prior. Took a picture of my $7.50 purchase (attached) for memory. Got out of there as quickly as I could, walked off the embarrassment and enjoyed the ice cream. Excellent flavors. Never coming back to this location. Definitely visiting the other locations for the...

I was raised—so to speak, anyway—on the gourmet small-batch ice creams of Portland. Salt & Straw was cut from that cloth; or, depending upon who you ask, led that charge in its expansion out from the PNW across the West Coast. Now ice cream parlors like it exist pretty much everywhere in American cities.

What makes Wanderlust different? In a certain sense, nothing. It’s got the same business model; the same basic design aesthetic, in terms of hip, urban minimalism and branding. It’s a style people recognize (and like). I like it. It’s familiar.

But I do think Wanderlust is different, in spite of the ubiquitous look and model. First, its flavors pull from the taste of everywhere: this is not only your average sampling of baked-potato flavor or bacon/thyme. Second, its owner, Adrienne, is a cool and brave POC woman with an unexpected family history in ice cream (that’s evident in her flavor creations). Third, Wanderlust is a true listener: collaboration seems to be the key to new flavors here, with come from fans or friends or travel. They really seem to value their customers.

But as a regular dude who just wants some fantastic ice cream occasionally, I really just look for an overall feeling of yum when I go. Wanderlust always delivers this. With great taste, and excellent friendly service to...

The guy working when I visited was very friendly, let me sample four flavors, I was a little overwhelmed by the heat (not from SoCal) and he was patient with me, offered his recommendations, answered my very annoying question (“are you sick of ice cream?” LOL), suggested I get a waffle cup vs cone because they were freshly made…he was great! I should have asked for his name. As for the ice cream - yes, definitely delicious and will visit again when I return to the LA area - but most memorable is the service. Must be a great place to work (he said he’s been working there several years) and knowing staff must be treated well makes the ice cream taste even better.

ETA: Oh…one he recommended is the ube malted crunch. As a Filipino I was not excited to try that because ubeubeube I’ve eaten enough ube in my life BEFORE ube got trendy. Anyway, I let him convince me and…the malted crunch bits definitely complement the ube very well. I was surprised at how good it was. Hopefully one of these days I can return during an October to try other Filipino-inspired flavors. Been following Wanderlust on IG for many years, so happy to finally...