Nelson's Ice Cream — Restaurant in Saint Paul

Update: 7.16.24 - we ordered two child size cones - my child’s ice cream was the same quality we have received in past visits - I was served ice cream soup - the rum cherry was liquified - but the employee made no mention to me that the ice creams was softer than soft serve - I didn’t order a shake - Nelson’s - it was fun while it lasted - we won’t be back - I’d rather pay more $ for a quality product with staff that knows the difference between what should be served and what should be put back in the deep freezer for better results the next day …

Update: 4.25.24

Still a great place to get your fill of Ice Cream Produced in Minnesota - it’s a mix of Kemps, Cedar Creek & a few handmade flavors - they now have three VEGAN Flavors too!

Here is the updated 2024 Prices & Additions: Cash Only (They have an ATM machine inside the shop)

Child: $5.69 Single: $6.37 Double: $6.85 Triple: $7.28 Quart: $10.92 Lumber Jack:$18 50+ Scoop Platter of each flavor they sell :$37.00

Pup Cup: $2.00 Bottled Water: $2.00

2024 Spring / Summer Flavor List:

100 YEAR CELIBRATION BANANA BEAR CREEK CARMEL BLACK CHERRY BLUE MOON BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE BROWNIE SMORES BUBBLE GUM BUTTER PECAN CAKE & CREAM CHERRY NUT CHOC PEANUT BUTTER REVEL CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE CHIP *15. CHOCOLATE CHUNK (VEGAN) CINNAMON COCONUT JOY COOKIES & CREAM *19. COOKIES & CREAM (VEGAN) COTTON CANDY FRENCH SILK PIE FRENCH VANILLA JAVA CHUNK LICORICE CHIP MACKINAC ISLAND FUDGE MAPLE NUT MONSTER COOKIE MOOSE TRACKS NELSONS ELEPHANT TRACKS ORANGE TWISTER PIRATE’S BOOTY PRALINE PECAN RAINBOW SHERBET RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE CHUNK RICH & FAMOUS ROCKY ROAD RUM CHERRY SALTY CARAMEL SALTY CARAMEL COLDBREW SEA SALT CARAMEL NUT SPUMONI STRAWBERRY STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE SUPERMAN TOASTED ALMOND FUDGE TOFFEE CRUNCH WHITE CHOC RASBERRY TRUFFLE ZANZIBAR CHOCOLATE COOKIE DOUGH *50. LEMON SORBET (VEGAN) HAYFIELD- (Vanilla,Choc,Reese’s Pieces)

Previous Review: During Covid 2019/20

Heaps and heaps of ice cream...starting at $4.75 for a child size (we order a kid size in a single size cup to avoid dripping and they are happy to accommodate such a request) up to $12.00 for a gargantuan 20+ scoop concoction...you can pick two flavors in a kids & single size...move up to a $6.00 double for a mix of three...they have many flavors to chose from including frozen yogurt & sherbet...the dark chocolate “Zanzibar” is creamy and delicious. The staff is Minnesota “nice” and eager to serve you. The line moves quickly. Covid family friendly environment with plenty of outdoor seating...the perfect way to end a hot summer day in...

There are things that could easily be remedied to bring it up to a five star experience. We went on a Sunday, and it was one of the first warm days of the year so I can understand it was packed.. however.. 50 minutes in line was insane. What I noticed was that there didn't seem to be a system between the people working and you'd have someone scooping and handling cash, while another person stood there and watched. There did not seem to be an urgency whatsoever to get the line moving. It would have been really nice to have a sign up somewhere of the flavors that were out that day. I absolutely understand that stuff runs out but we waited to get to the counter to hear the ones we chose were out of stock. We got a double for $7 and some change which came over flowing in a 21oz cup. There was probably a little under a pint of ice cream all together so I'd say it's not too far off from the prices at the grocery store. You're not paying a mortgage for an ice cream like you would at DQ. The ice cream itself was a good quality as well. Because of the price, I fully understand the cash only and them not eating the cost of people using cards. All in all, I would try again and might recommend to others. I think more communication with the patrons on what flavors are currently available would be nice, and maybe a better system so they could move customers in and out of the line quickly would greatly benefit everyone. *Side note, if you have allergies I'd be careful, our ice cream had the 'residue' of 2 different flavors that we...

Every single of us were a kid once...We think of hot summers...I believe most kids grew up in the U.S. would think of Ice-cream and the 'small' town you were from...

You wish EVERY day was like your childhood. This place is as close it gets. It has a 'small town' feel. No tables/seats inside - people sit outside on picnic tables. ALL the flavors are written on the wall. This place is timeless - it could easily the same decor from the 60s - just like the way I wanted.

Be prepared for long lines especially on hot summer day. For the love of G*d, know what you want. Caution: If you can eat beyond the child/kid's size - you should be a diabetic and/or have some serious ice-cream issues. Trust me, just decide on the flavor and start from there.

Bring your kid(s)/nephews/nieces etc...corrupt them and make a great memory out of it. I pretty sure they will remember this place for the rest of their childhood.

One more thing, like the old days, bring cash. No credit cards.

Love this place. I like to 'corrupt' my children once...