Handel's Homemade Ice Cream — Restaurant in Pasadena

One of my favorite ice cream chains. Haven't had Handel's in awhile maybe since back in Las Vegas a couple years back. Happy to report the ice cream was every bit as delicious as I remember with something of an added nice twist....since I don't remember the portions being SO large. ITEM'S ORDERED:

Decided on a 2 scoop cone (Banana Cream Pie & Salty Caramel Truffle)

The gf was going to get green tea but instead chose Key Lime Pie since it sounded more refreshing.

TASTE:

I literally had banana cream pie a couple weeks ago so I was hoping their Banana Cream Pie flav8 tasted like that. More specifically, I was hoping the "pie" flavor was there & that it didn't just taste like a banana ice cream. Honestly this thing tasted just like the ice cream version of a banana cream pie. Very, good, real banana flavor that comes off well & does not become one note or boring since it's very well contrasted with the cream aspect of the marshmello & the crunch of the sugar cookie pieces (acting as a crust).

The Salty Caramel Truffle lives up to it's namesake & that's a win. I was, currently am & will probably always be a sucker for salted caramel desserts so this flavor was a given for me. I can somewhat see how the overall salted caramel might be a little too much for people since the ice cream is salted caramel & the truffles are filled with salted caramel. It very much works for me though especially since there are times I've had salted caramel other places & I couldn't really taste it. Another win since I always appreciate texture, is the crunch of the chocolate truffle itself.

The gf's flavor choice (Key Lime Pie) definitely let it's tartness shine through which is a win since that's what we were looking for & expected. If you've ever had key lime pie out in Florida you know it's pretty tart & this ice cream made me nostalgic for the pie out there. The graham cracker ripple component providing the "crust" is nicely done & makes this flavor truly key lime pie & not just key lime.

This Handel's visit just confirmed that their ice cream is so creamy. I say that because I've had ice cream at other places that kind of comes of too icey as if it were a sorbet, shaved ice, ice cream hybrid or something.

PROTIPS:

If you're getting more than one scoop you may want to think about how the flavors will work together overall. I very much enjoyed how my two flavors ending up tasting like salted caramel banana cream pie.

Also, I think I remember this of Handel's in the past, but there ice cream just seems to melt fast. First world problems, right? So be sure to get an empty cup if you order your scoops in a cone.

SERVICE & PARKING:

Service was exceptional with the staff being very friendly on the hot busy Saturday afternoon. There was a little line but it went by quicker than I thought it would.

I cannot vividly remember the portions being so large at other Handel's locations. This is just an observation & of course not a critique. The more ice cream the better. The gf's single scoop literally looked bigger than my double scoop. & Honestly I'd guess that both were triple scoops if I had no idea of the actual order.

There is no inside seating which I'm pretty sure is common at other locations. There was a fair amount of outside seating though.

Parking is very easy here since there's a huge parking lot providing spaces to all the neighboring businesses. Handel's is located off E Foothill Blvd, in the Best Buy plaza. But you're better off turning onto N Halstead St since that entrance takes you more directly here without having to drive through the often busier parking lot. Pretty sure this is the old Togo's location if you used to eat there.

Last note for all you ice cream lovers: This place really has an abundance of all the common options you'd expect & want to find at your local ice cream spot. Nothing too unique or random, but if you are looking for that be sure to check out Wanderlust also...

Edit! New Part-Ashlyn(n) was amazing! Our family comes from out of town from all over the country and come here. This day, family was from Texas and we all were blown away at how awesome her customer service was. Super warm and welcoming. Helpful and understanding. She even addressed our 6yr old as a princess, which made our 6yr old ballerinas day. Gave off a great energy. I've trained servers in some of the busiest restaurants in L.A. and what she has, can't ge taught. On top of that everyone enjoyed everything, immensely. Literally!! We were taking everything home to eat, none of it made it home. Original- For my 1st time, they set the bar very high. Such amazing customer service. Both of the workers we were helped by were amazing. I very rarely give my ballet dancing daughter so much sugar but the flavors were so awesome that I got her 2 scoops/flavors. She loved them both and savored every lick of ice cream. I also brought home the mango sorbet(vegan) for my wife and it was so good she shared it with others. I tasted the lime and the strawberry and they were delicious. I can't wait to come back and work my way around the menu. Great...

This our first time coming to Handel's Homemade Ice cream in Pasadena I know they have couple Handel's in the southland. I know Handel's is from the East coast and they stores in the Midwest their ice cream is very best using the best ingredients they use in the ice cream. The Handel's in Pasadena is very popular there's long line for their ice cream but the line goes fast but they very good selection of flavors that a hard core ice cream junkie will dream this moment in their life. We got in line and waited then is our turn we know what we want my wife got the Blueberry Clobber and I got the Lemon Bar.

When we got our ice cream both of them looks so good. My Lemon Bar ice cream look on a waffle cones it taste like a lemon Bar but I can taste the lemon flavor it was good and even the Graham cracker blend in the ice cream I really enjoy it very much. My wife enjoy her blueberry clobber she say it taste like blueberry clobber on a cone very creamy she say. We need our friends and family to Handel's...