Ashley's Ice Cream — Restaurant in New Haven

So done with Ashley's. Here are the cliff notes: they do not engage in hygienic practices. About a year and a half ago I noticed this at the Hamden location, but my husband said the NH location was different, so I decided to give it another chance.

On a Sunday afternoon 7/24/22, I went there with my cousin from out of town to get ice cream. We walk in and both notice NO ONE is wearing gloves and only 1 employee is wearing a mask. So when it is our turn, I quietly address the young woman and ask her where are her gloves. She rolls her eyes, bucks up and says "I mean I wash my hands". Even if you are annoyed with a customer, you NEVER EVER show it to a customer AND it's a fair question - esp in the time of covid. (Who raises these people???) Many ppl didn't even know how to properly wash their hands prior to the pandemic. I don't want your dirty knuckles reaching deep into a bin of ice cream that have previously touched all types of random objects. So forgive me if I don't trust you.

There are MANY places in the NH area that serve delicious ice cream, so I'm not tied to Ashley's. Firstly, I am not going to explain or go back and forth with a disrespectful child the importance of wearing gloves when handling food. Because it was apparent from her attitude, she already knew it was problematic, hence her defensiveness. Secondly, my cousin and I watched her walking back and forth several times touching random things without washing her hands throughout that entire time. So I chose not to engage - we left and got ice cream elsewhere where they actually wear gloves, have great customer service and have delicious ice cream.

If Ashley's had one dedicated person to take money, it would be better, albeit still unhygienic. Even outside of the pandemic, food service professionals are mandated to wear gloves when they are handling food. As a physician with almost 2 decades working in public health (some of that time at the NYCDOH), I am admittedly more sensitive to food safety issues, but more importantly this speaks to a larger issue of why it seems to be so difficult to follow certain practices to keep each other safe. Then people complain about how long it has taken so long for us to get out of...

This ice cream spot in New Haven, CT is the to-die-for spot for desserts.

If you have a dog, this is the #1 ice cream shop to bring them. They have treats and vanilla cream for pups. This shop was named after a dog, Ashley, and as such all the employees have so much patience and kindness for dogs. One guy came out, petted our dog and gave her a treat. You don’t get that treatment at any ice cream shop!

Plus, look at that wall of Dog Fame. So many dogs and they have a whole wall dedicated to that awesomeness. Hot damn.

Dog friendliness aside, their flavors are insanely good too. You can tell because I’ve rated this 5/5, which I rarely do.

Their best flavor I tried is Coffee Oreo. Lot of sugar but it’s so good. In fact we came back again, and I had it again.

First time I had: Butter Pecan + Coffee Oreo. Really awesome combo.

Second time: cookie batter + coffee Oreo. Cookie dough was bit too sweet but was nice.

I would rate ice cream itself as 4/5 and it’s not the best, and variety 3/5 because I feel they could have more, but given candor and general dog friendliness of all the staff (PS they do allow them inside!) I will rate up. After pizza from Wooster Street which is right down from Yale, this ice cream shop is nearby and it’s THE destination to stop by. If we bring our dog or ever visit CT again, we’ll definitely stop by Ashley’s in New...

I went to Ashely’s last night and received terrible service. I walked in about 10 minutes before closing, and the customers were generally in good moods. The two employees were not. They had “I’m so over this” looks on their faces. They didn’t smile, greet, or make the customers feel welcome. They would rudely say “I can help who’s next!!” No smile, no offering of samples—nothing. It was my time to order, and I asked for a chocolate milkshake. The employee was rude and lifeless towards me. He walked to the fridge, opens it quickly, then says “ahh, we’re out of milk. sorry.” I knew he was lying… I instead ordered a cone. Both employees were sad and lifeless as they rung folks up. I paid, walked away. And the employee who scooped my ice cream YELLS “ITS 10 pm. WE ARE NOW CLOSED. Please finish your ice cream and LEAVE.” I have worked in service jobs before, and I worked at a an ice cream shop in high school. You should NEVER treat paying customers like that. Completely unwelcoming, rude, and spoiled attitudes. I would NOT be happy if my own employees had these attitudes, and I likely will not be back. I hate when employees are rude—it ruins the...