Ice Cream Emporium — Restaurant in Ripon

This adorable little café, located on a sweet, but far less glamorous and idealized version of “Main Street USA“ just south of Modesto pretty much runs on the singular inside joke of #IYKYK…

Anyone who’s ever enjoyed Disneyland‘s Gibson Girl ice cream parlor will immediately get the rather unique soundtrack- a combination of turn-of-the-century orchestral suites, ragtime, and Fantasyland soundtrack.

Easter eggs are cleverly laid out throughout this tiny café, including portraits of Walt Disney, the old-fashioned candy store sweets for purchase at the register (a wink no doubt to the Park’s Candy Palace), and even the carnations neatly decorating each table – for sure a nod to the brand the ice cream parlor used to be sponsored by on Main Street USA – Carnation Ice Cream.

The employees are all upbeat, and while not quite as Type A Groomed as Cast Members (employees) at Disneyland, they certainly are up to the task in terms of cheerfulness, politeness- and clearly enjoying every moment of this faux-Disney Parks experience.

The ice cream was perfectly acceptable. Nothing out of the ordinary (wasn’t quite sure of the brand, if it was Dreyers, which is what Disneyland features), or some other generic brand, and the Sundays were perfectly adequate, but certainly nothing compared to say, the extravagance and beauty of SERENDIPITY in New York.

The main reason for the three stars was a rather disappointing portion, served not in a Sundae glass bowl, or frosted glass… but in a thin, recyclable plastic cup!

It was so completely anticlimactic to have our Sundaes served in what looked like beer cups from Dodger Stadium, with thin plastic spoons!! - that I almost said something unkind out loud.

I held my tongue, but was saddened that yet another shop has succumbed to the cheapness and frugality, and lack of class that so many have post-Covid.

Eating an ice cream sundae out of the thin plastic cup, had all of the glamour and joy of pulling a stale Drumstick cone out of your freezer. It certainly hits the craving, but takes away the whole experience of enjoying real ice cream.

I would beg ownership to reconsider, because it gave the whole experience, a cheapness and rather sad quality. Are they that hard up that they can’t afford putting bowls in a dishwasher?

Root Beer floats were likewise served in these cheap frail cups, as were any of the made-to-order malts etc. In fact, ice cream and drink drinks alike were served in the exact same cups, which was truly bizarre.

Same portions, same size, same downgrading.

The prices were fine, and the atmosphere enjoyable - but again, if you’re going to attempt to bring the Disney Parks experience outside of the monorail tracks and into one’s hometown… you want to at least hit a double or triple - if not a home run. But the whole experience kind of felt like we only got to first base - certainly not hitting it out of the park.

An adorable concept, but with the lack of great ice cream and toppings, and the cheap servingware, once you got past the novelty and inside jokes, it just felt like a bit of a...

First time in. Greeted nicely. Unfortunately I was disappointed to see my food being handled by bare hands. Young kid walks over with my cone in his hands. No protective wrapping on the cone or plastic gloves on his hands. I have no idea where his hands have been. When I asked about his hands being clean, he made the smart remark about it being a violation of the health code if they weren’t. News flash, it’s a violation of the health code to handle food with bare hands. I watched him take orders, handle money, and do other tasks using his hands consistently touching his clothes, and other surfaces in the restaurant, then proceeded to handle more food. I won’t be back thank you. That’s a nice place, however that is how germs are spread very quickly. It’s unsanitary and is absolutely against protocols of safety in the food industry and violates health code policies. Very disappointed. Really shouldn’t allow unprofessional unsupervised kids to run a food business...

I went to get a ice cream on Sat. 8th August. The sign on the door said mask required. However, there were people standing in the store with no mask and half the staff only had their mouths covered. Clearly this place only cares about your dollar and not your safety or health. If anyone gets sick within the next two weeks and you visited this place, call your attorney! These young workers need to be protected and provided a mask that fits properly. The masks they were give are too small. The owner’s response is clear fabrication and truly shows her character. I had my 12 year old daughter with me and there was no cussing and yelling on my part. If anyone who was there between 5:30 and 6:00pm would also say there was no cussing or yelling. What a true loser and a business owner in Ripon California. You must have gotten your integrity from your parents! I informed you of a problem and gave you a solution. Far more than anyone else would do....