Ice Cream Joy

I love patronizing small, independent businesses for their uniqueness. Ice Cream Joy’s owner obviously puts a lot of thought into the flavors she creates, and is happy to let you sample anything you’d like to try. That’s what got me to order a Thai flavor, which sounded odd but was absolutely delicious. It’s also a great place to go with my friends who are lactose-​intolerant, as the vegan selection works for them. Very kid friendly, too. It’s not cheap, but then you’re getting good stuff, with real ingredients not chemicals. Definitely a place to go when you have to satisfy an ice cream craving!

This place is definitely appropriately named! I was wandering about the streets of Lakewood when I spotted this gem and quickly snagged a parking spot right out front. Once inside I was warmly greeted by the friendly owner whose middle name is Joy. It turned out I was there during happy hour (2−6pm) so I got a dollar off every item I purchased! After sampling many delicious and unique flavors (there was actual chunks of Brie Cheese in one of them!) I decided to get a couple ice cream sandwiches (which if you buy in bulk you get them at a cheaper price). I went with a Bourbon flavored ice cream between two Chocolate Chip cookies, Vegan Cayenne Sweet Potato Pecan sandwiched between two Oatmeal cookies, and Berry Cheesecake between two Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles.
OMG my mouth was so happy! But dang these babies are huge! It took me a couple sittings before I could finish off just one so I am pretty thankful each one comes in a sealed plastic pouch. My only slight nit pick would be that the cookies are hardly baked so it’s like eating raw cookie dough, which after a few bites you know you’re going to get an upset stomach if you don’t put that thing down and eat a salad instead.
Overall I really enjoyed the treats I got from Ice Cream Joy and I would definitely check it out again!

There’s something about Cleveland small businesses between December 23-​mid January… a lot of them close. And while I understand the need for (presumably) well-​deserved time off, it’s really frustrating for a potential customer to check out three local businesses (all sweets businesses /​cupcakeries of sorts) to find they are ALL closed for another few days. But that’s nothing to do with Ice Cream Joy, as it worked out in their favor a few days ago!
I rolled into Ice Cream Joy at 4:30pm on a particularly cold Wednesday with one thing in mind: to bring delicious treats to my brother’s house (and for my little nieces). Inside, Ice Cream Joy is pretty adorable. You’ll find a smattering of kid-​friendly table set ups, bright walls, and a small but well-​edited selection of ice creams and sorbets near the back. The selection of artisan ice creams ranged from classic to quirky and plenty of vegan options: Cinnamon Sugar, Coconut Almond Dark Chocolate, Paved Road, Roasted Black Sesame & Seaweed, Strawberry Dark Chocolate Balsamic. I sampled the coconut almond dark chocolate and the paved road and both were equally delicious.
They have other offerings like artisan soft pretzels, ice cream muffins, and *crazy good* ice cream sandwiches. You know the ice cream sandwiches I’m talking about — the type in which the cookie is nice and soft to the point where it almost feels like eating raw cookie dough. Damn right.
Pro tip #1: Closed Tuesdays and Thursdays
Pro tip #2: Every day from 2−6pm is ice cream happy hour where you’ll score $ 1 off every frozen treat.

They have nothing but love for vegans. When a business makes an effort to not only have vegan options, but to also clearly label them saving me from that awkward «is it vegan? Are you sure? Can I see the label?» conversation, I am impressed. There were 5 or 6 vegan ice cream flavors. I tried the vanilla, and chocolate swirl. In all honesty, it was a bit icy, a quality of which many vegan vanilla based ice creams are guilty. Their homemade vegan chocolate sauce and whipped cream though, out of this world! I have searched high and low for a vegan hot fudge, and it just doesn’t exist. While this was not hot fudge, it tasted just like it, minus the fact that it wasn’t actually, you know, hot. It was thick like fudge. I haven’t licked an ice cream bowl clean since I was a kid, but you better believe there wasn’t a drop left when I was done. The whipped cream was yummy too. I will definitely be back to try more flavors as they change regularly (they seem to be good at keeping the website up to date, again, very awesomely convenient).

Ice cream.
That creamy goodness that just hits the spot after a long day, and is the perfect compliment after a meal. I had only heard of this little place but not stopped in due to time and schedule. The other day, after a meal up the road, my Wife and friends and I stopped in to check it out; it was worth it.
The folks here do up a variety of interesting flavors in both standard and vegan varieties as well as sherbets .The flavors vary from day to day, but they are all really amazing and made with quality, sustainable, local resources. I had a small scoop of a Caramel Blondie along with a vegan Sweet Potato Pecan; both were just amazing. The folks here also team up with Fear’s Confections (conveniently located right next door,) so that if you buy one of Fear’s amazing brownies, you can get one heated up, and then have one of Ice Cream Joy’s amazing treats as a topper!
Their prices aren’t bad, especially for many of the unique treats they offer, and they also offer shakes, floats (with a line of special artisan sodas,) and other great concoctions.
There is limited street parking on site, but that shouldn’t stop you. They also have a nice set up for the kids (playhouse included,) and a «Bowl Club» for repeat customers who want to get treats monthly. (Oh, and did I mention, similar to many local pubs, they do a «flight» of ice cream flavors so you can get a general sampling? Very Cool.)
All in all, it’s really a joy to visit Ice Cream Joy:)

First of all, I’m a sucker to support a new local business! That combined with artisan ice cream and I’m IN!
Every time I’ve been here they have new flavors. These are not your run on the mill flavors either. Of Course they have vanilla-​Esque flavors, but you’ll also find coffee chip and strawberry balsamic and onion cheddar-​you heard me right. Oddly enough, they all taste good! I know this because they let you sample any and all flavors.
The atmosphere is super cute with your grandmas old table and chairs to sit in and make a puzzle while the kids play in the little ice cream shop.
Love it, I’ll definitely be back!

Finally got to check out this small shop just down the street from me and wowzers talk about wacky flavors. This homegrown shop makes all of their ice creams and sorbets in house. With flavors from kale to kiwi to amaretto sugar cookie and hazelnut coffee there is options for everyone. Not only are these delicious dips of ice cream tasty but many options are vegan. While topping like caramel and hot fudge are extra there is a buffet of tasty sprinkles that are free for the taking, rainbow dinosaurs are my personal favorite. Flavors rotate fairly frequently so be sure to stop in often to sample all of the tasty varities.

Absolutely amazing!!! Fantastic ice cream. Great for vegans. Awesome staff. Tons of local ingredients. Definitely recommend.

Interesting! Awesome staff. Great flavors! A little pricey, but well worth it! A flight is a great share between two people. I’ll be interested to see how this business blossoms!