Handel's Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt — Restaurant in Redondo Beach

I still cannot believe it!!! On our vacation, we searched for a new ice cream shop to try. We decided to check out Handel's on Friday 9/1/2017. Ordered an extra thick malt shake that was really runny (lame) and my 2 girls got cones that they both liked.

Even though we could have bought ice cream at the Redondo Pier, my girls wanted to go back to Handel's the very next night on 9/2/2017. So we drove specifically to get ice cream from here.

We arrived shortly before 10pm and my 7 year old needed to use the restroom so we took her to CVS pharmacy next door. On our way back, My daughters excitedly ran ahead just to get to the end of the line.

As I approached, they solemnly walked back to me and said they were told that the place just closed. UNBELIEVABLY they close at 10pm on a Saturday. I asked an employee to allow my 2 girls to get ice cream and told them what happened. We had no idea they even closed at 10pm. She said to ask a manager. So I asked Ellen, the 16 year old looking manager, if my 7 yr old and 12 year old girls could simply get ice cream at 10:02pm. She rudely said they were closed. I explained we were traveling, that my girls were in line, but left to go to the bathroom. She still said no. Incredulously, I said, "Well then, why dont you tell my girls that they are not wanted here?" Ellen the manager promptly and smugly replied, "I already did!" I was stunned and appalled. I told her I would be calling the owner. She said, "Great, his name is Paul and his card is inside."

As it was VERY OBVIOUS this place does not care about customer service and 2 excited little girls wanting to be repeat customers, we left to go down the street to Cold Stone Creamery instead.

My 7 year old was sobbing as she said to her sister that it was her fault because she had to go to the bathroom...

I've been in the food service industry for 10 years and NEVER had a horrible experience like this... to reject 2 little girls?

Handel's... I will NEVER do business with you EVER again and will be sure to tell my story every chance I get. You've also permanently etched your "brand" into my 2 girls minds and will forever associate your company with negativity and rejection.

All your staff had to do was simply let 2 excited little girls wanting ice cream to buy some. Cant wait to share this with all my media friends and you better let your corporate headquarters know they will be hearing about this horrible experience as well.

How can you say no to 2 little girls at 10:02...

We've heard so much about Handel's we were super excited to finally try it! Unfortunately the entire experience was awful.

As we pulled up, there was a good sized line, which seemed like a great sign. Quickly we realized it wasn't a good sign of anything other than the fact that many people ordering would ask for multiple samples...one or two at a time...delaying the ordering process. I decided to count how many samples the girls in front of us ordered. 11. Yes. 11. It was a significant delay as they'd ask for two samples, wait to get them, try them, tell the staff that they didn't like them and wanted two more...you get the idea. They had all the spoons stacked up before they finally ordered their ice cream. My suggestion - have a separate line for people who want to try samples and order.

The experience continued downhill. As we went up to order, my wife was holding our baby near the counter. For whatever reason, the staff thought she was going to seat the baby on the counter and quickly - and not pleasantly - directed her not to. Surprised we simply responded "No problem" even though it wasn't her intention. Although the asks is totally reasonable, it was asked in a negative way.

As we put our order in, my wife asked that although we were ordering a small, we'd like to have less ice cream put in that normal in the order for our oldest daughter. The staff person responded that they couldn't do that. My wife made it clear she wasn't asking for a discount, simply that we didn't need the full scoop+ that comes in the smallest size. The staff flatly refused this - then went on to say there wasn't a kids size. Again, even though the message seemed odd to us (you can't put 1/2 a scoop in even though we are clearly saying that we're paying for the full size portion?), it was the delivery that was the killer. Negative and unpleasant. I'm not sure what the staff persons issues where, but it was clear that the customers were going to suffer the consequences of it.

Once we received our orders, we were disappointed in the ice cream itself. After this entire experience, we have no plans to ever visit...

Let’s start by saying we been here for 4 times already and honestly out of those 2 visits best service, we came by on a Saturday night to get ice cream and when it was our turn we order our usual and then this is when service was just bad, the girl that served us didn’t even seem interested in taking our order , when we order attitude was at its finest 🫶, and when we got our ice cream no napkin or spoons but we saw that when she served other people getting a hand packed pint like us they got a spoon and a napkin and we asked very nice too, last visit we went again thinking it was just a rush hour for them so blew it off so I have zero clue if the fire department is partnership with them or not but when we was in line they was giving out coupons but we was completely ignore now we don’t know if it’s because they see us as Mexican or we don’t know but person behind us got a coupon lol ice cream is great but service and the way we got treated...