Armadillos Ice Cream Shoppe — Restaurant in Rapid City

Armadillo's Icecream is a beloved community favorite, known for its delicious ice cream that keeps people coming back for more, even if it means waiting in long lines that often wrap around the block.

Their ice cream is truly amazing, with a wide variety of flavors that are all made in-house. One bite of their creamy, rich ice cream will leave you wanting more. Their flavors range from classic favorites like vanilla and chocolate to more unique options that will be cycled out as needed. They frequently are updating the menu, but there is always a massive core selection that will always be stocked.

But honestly they're is more than just a tasty treat. It's a community gathering spot that brings people together. Whether it's families enjoying a cone on a warm summer day or friends meeting up for a sweet treat after dinner, Armadillo's always has a welcoming atmosphere. I've often spent hours chatting with friends while finishing a cone, just hanging out and enjoying a slice of the American Dream that still exists.

Their commitment to the community goes beyond just providing a delicious dessert. They regularly work with local schools and groups to bring discounts to individuals, and often will go out of their way to hire young employees for their first jobs. They try and make a difference wherever possible,

Overall, Armadillo's Icecream is a must-visit for anyone in the area. The occasional long lines may seem daunting, but the wait is always worth it for the delicious ice cream and the sense of community that...

The best ice cream in Rapid City, and perhaps South Dakota as a whole! I came here upon the recommendation of a fellow Highpointers Convention attendee after having a bad experience with a pizza place in town, looking to make up for it. It did not disappoint. Upon seeing how long the line was, I figured it was good, and thought it darn well better be good after my experience earlier. After waiting about 20 minutes, I saw that all of the ice cream was soft serve, and began to feel a little nervous, but decided to order anyway. Boy am I glad I did! I got a hot fudge sundae with vanilla ice cream in a waffle cone with whipped cream and sprinkles on top. The ice cream was far better than any soft serve I have had in years. The whipped cream was delicious as well (not sure if it was homemade, but it definitely was NOT Reddi-Whip). My only complaint is that I wish they would make the print on their menus bigger so people standing farther back in line can read them (and, since they sell Italian ice, they need to sell cherry flavored, not strawberry flavored, a tip from someone who grew up near Philly...). All in all, an amazing experience, and I am spreading the word to my fellow Highpointers to try this place before they leave town! Highly...

I feel bad thinking this place is meh. Most Rapid Citizens (Rapid Citians? Rapidians? You know, locals) love this place and sing its praises to anyone who will listen.

And I get it. Local ice cream places are special. This one has only been in this location for a decade or so, but there's still a lot of nostalgia. And even though it's a newish building, it's got some neat old school callbacks: umbrella table seating out front, ordering windows outside, cool blue neon, giant booths inside.

But the ice cream is... okay. It's really just glorified soft serve. A lot of the flavoring is done with bottle syrups. It's all cold and sweet, but that's about it. Compared to the local ice cream shops in other towns (I think about Pierre, Sioux Falls, Billings, Cheyenne) where they serve real, house-made, high-fat ice cream, it really can't compete.

Don't get me wrong - it's still a neat place to get a shake and go hang out, and we do - it's just not mind-blowing. Set your expectations accordingly, and you'll have...