Rick's Ice Cream — Restaurant in Palo Alto

Upon preparing to celebrate a birthday, we went in-store to order an Oreo flavored ice cream cake in advance on a Thursday for Saturday. For a 9 inch round cake, they charged us $60. Later, we found out (from their website and after calling them) that they failed to inform us that $10 of the $60 were extra charges for less than 48 hour notice and a “custom” rather than pre-made cake AND proceeded to unapologetically criticize us when we asked them why we weren’t notified of the extra charge before we committed and paid.

We ordered at the store at 7pm on Thursday and wanted it ready by the afternoon/early evening on Saturday, which was just under their 48 hours notice ($5 charge) that they failed to mention existed. What makes it bad/worse is that on Friday when we went in-store to inquire about the extra charges after calling, they had already FINISHED making the cake anyway (which we know because they told and then showed us) and then the manager berated us for not asking in advance about the extra charges before we paid as if we should’ve known to.

Additionally, we noticed that they have pre-made ice cream 9 inch round cakes (including Oreo flavored)—that are the exact same as the one they “custom” made for us—for $5 less since it’s “pre-made,” which they didn’t tell us about.

It genuinely disappoints me that I have a reason to write this bad review as I’ve loved Rick’s, introduced many people to it, and enjoyed their ice cream for almost 10 years. Unfortunately, their incredibly rude and irresponsible service when we ordered our first ice cream cake from them this time is...

Disappointed. I’d heard great things about this place, but the experience was underwhelming.

I expected the same fun atmosphere we get from Bi-Rite or Salt & Straw where people line up around the block to get in, but instead this dessert shop served up an attitude of guilt and shame for wanting to find a flavor that I’d enjoy eating, since my first 2 samples tasted artificial and chalky.

My first impression didn’t help. I was expecting to walk in and be bombarded with exotic flavors like Coconut mango extravaganza, but the entire first freezer was vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, mint, etc. There was more variety at Safeway.

They had about 6 flavors that weren’t average, unfortunately the Chocolate Orange just tasted like they dumped artificial orange extract into Safeway chocolate ice cream, and the Saffron variety was overpowered with rose water making it taste like hand cream.

The group of us spent over $100 there, and they still made us feel guilty about asking for a third tiny 5¢ sample that you could barely taste.

Overall they had one flavor that everyone agreed was better than the rest, the butter beer, which was just like the one at Universal.

I can’t say the value was worth it. The cost of one scoop here would buy a couple gallons of ice cream at the store, and it wasn’t significantly more creamy or flavorful.

I’ve heard new management has taken the magic out of the place, which would explain why after spending an hour eating and chatting there, they only had 2...

Listen up and listen good! This dump is an absolute disgrace! They’re completely drained of nearly every topping, and yet they had the audacity to slap a ridiculous $15 price tag on what could barely be called ice cream! My poor crush bless her heart just wanted a simple single scoop, and they gouged her for $4.25! Can you believe that outrage? It’s nothing short of outright theft, a freaking robbery disguised as a treat! I curse the day I ever stepped foot here because I want my money back every penny stolen from me! Stay far away from this place unless you enjoy being ripped off and insulted! And if that wasn’t enough to make your blood boil, outside, there were two reckless fools throwing punches outside some van! Are you kidding me?! The nerve of some people to turn what should be a pleasant experience into a violent circus! This entire ordeal was beyond disappointing an absolute train wreck of a visit. Do yourself a favor stay away from this joint unless you want to be completely fleeced and made to regret every...