…we all scream for ice cream — Where to get your local licks the remaining days of summer

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Drew Siegert, president of Betty Jane Candies in Dubuque, holds a cake cone with Gremlin ice cream (left) and sugar cone with Gremlin-Nilla ice cream. PHOTO CREDIT: Jessica Reilly
Drew Siegert, president of Betty Jane Candies in Dubuque, holds a cake cone with Gremlin ice cream (left) and sugar cone with Gremlin-Nilla ice cream. PHOTO CREDIT: Jessica Reilly
M&M Brownie ice cream is scooped into a waffle cone at Beecher’s Ice Cream in Dubuque. PHOTO CREDIT: Adam Warner
M&M Brownie ice cream is scooped into a waffle cone at Beecher’s Ice Cream in Dubuque. PHOTO CREDIT: Adam Warner
Ice cream sits on the counter at Ice Cream U Scream in Dubuque. PHOTO CREDIT: Katie Goodale
Ice cream sits on the counter at Ice Cream U Scream in Dubuque. PHOTO CREDIT: Katie Goodale
A variety of cones at Sweet Memories along Fourth Street in Dubuque. PHOTO CREDIT: Jessica Reilly
A variety of cones at Sweet Memories along Fourth Street in Dubuque. PHOTO CREDIT: Jessica Reilly
Sarah Yeager, an employee at Grandpa
Sarah Yeager, an employee at Grandpa's Parlour in Bellevue, Iowa, serves ice cream to Jim Kilburg, of Bellevue. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering
Ice cream is scooped at The American Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor in Galena, Ill. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering
Ice cream is scooped at The American Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor in Galena, Ill. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering
Sisters Evelyn (from left), Madelyn and Kate Walters prepare orders at Three Sisters Sweet Shoppe in Elizabeth, Ill. PHOTO CREDIT: NICKI KOHL
Sisters Evelyn (from left), Madelyn and Kate Walters prepare orders at Three Sisters Sweet Shoppe in Elizabeth, Ill. PHOTO CREDIT: NICKI KOHL
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Posted By: BY AVA HOELSCHER ava.hoelscher@thmedia.com August 11, 2021

Whether ice cream is beloved for its creamy goodness, nostalgic reminder of childhood or refreshing effect on a steamy summer night, one thing is certain: Everyone screams for a delicious scoop.

Many disagree about the flavors that reign supreme — cookie dough or mint Oreo — but at a few area parlors, there’s something for everyone.

Betty Jane Homemade Candies

Location: 3049 Asbury Road, Dubuque.

Hours: 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.

The scoop: Betty Jane Homemade Candies has been a sweets fan favorite since 1938, and its more recently added smooth, rich ice cream has been an added bonus. Many flavors incorporate the candy shop’s signature chocolate candies — the Gremlin, Gremlin-Nilla, English Almond Toffee and Willy Boy ice creams are particular favorites. The shop has 24 flavors available at all times.

Beecher’s Ice Cream & Yogurt

Location: 1691 Asbury Road, Dubuque.

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

The scoop: Beecher’s is a Dubuque hotspot. On any given day, children can be seen lining the stone wall, drip-coated cones in hand. Old South Fudge and M&M Brownie are among the location’s most beloved flavors. If you’re looking for a lighter summer treat, try its daily frozen yogurt special. In addition to their fro-yo, you can choose between soft serve and 16 flavors of ice cream. They also have a variety of specialty sundaes. Chow down on a brownie sundae for an indulgent night out.

Ice Cream, U Scream

Location: 198 Main St., Dubuque.

Hours: 3-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; noon-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The scoop: This Main Street creamery never fails to satisfy a sweet tooth. With 24 flavors, Ice Cream, U Scream offers something for everyone. The Raspberry Lemon Italian Ice is a refreshing non-dairy dessert, whereas This $&@! Just Got Serious is rich (salted caramel ice cream, salted cashews and sea salt fudge — what more could you want?). Try their Nacho Sundae, which treats people to three hearty scoops of ice cream with waffle cone “chips” to dip.

Jitterz Coffee & Cafe

Location: 1073 Main St., Dubuque.

Hours: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 8 a.m.-noon Saturday.

The scoop: Jitterz offers delightful coffee drinks, but that’s not all. Choose from four ice cream flavors for a sweet post-coffee treat. You can experience the best of both worlds by ordering your ice cream Affogato-style: Espresso poured on top. Test it out with the Mississippi Mud flavor — mocha ice cream packed with chocolate sandwich cookies and a gooey fudge swirl.

Sweet Memories

Location: 454 W. Fourth St., Dubuque.

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.

The scoop: Adjacent to Dubuque’s famous Fenelon Place Elevator, Sweet Memories appeals to hungry customers each day. Not only do they have a variety of homemade chocolates, candies and trinkets, but they also serve 16 flavors of ice cream. Try their Cappuccino flavor, and treat your kids to a homemade cone filled with Superman ice cream. They do not serve sundaes or malts, but you can get an all-in-one experience by ordering the Turtle Sundae or Chocolate Malt Amoré ice cream flavors. The creamy chocolate malt flavor is to die for.

Grandpa’s Parlour

Location: 306 S. Riverview St., Bellevue, Iowa.

Hours: 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday and Thursday-Saturday; 2-9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.

The scoop: Grandpa’s Parlour in Bellevue offers a variety of flavors, from classics like chocolate chip cookie dough to unique concoctions like Zanzibar Chocolate, which includes three kinds of cocoa. A classic sundae lets the parlor’s homemade hot fudge shine. For a decadent dessert, order the Brownie Barge, which boasts smooth vanilla ice cream topped with homemade brownies and hot fudge, whipped cream and a cherry.

American Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor

Location: 102 N. Main St., Galena, Ill.

Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monay-Friday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Satursday and Sunday.

The scoop: Step back in time by visiting Galena’s American Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor, complete with vintage soda bottles and homemade waffle cones. You can choose from 32 creative ice cream flavors. The Tortoise and the Fair is a caramel lover’s dream. If you’re in the mood for more than a simple scoop, try the Dirt Sundae. The ice cream topped with Oreo crumbles and gummy worms will leave you staring wistfully at your empty bowl.

Three Sisters Sweet Shoppe

Location: 224 N. Main St., Elizabeth, Ill.

Hours: Noon-9 p.m. Thursday-Monday.

The scoop: This pink-clad sweet shoppe’s treats are worth the short drive from Dubuque to Elizabeth. The store offers ice cream, homemade cupcakes, gifts and toys. Try the Kitty Kitty Bang Bang ice cream — cheesecake base swirled with raspberry ripple and stuffed with Oreo pieces and chocolate chunks. Any ice cream flavor can be ordered as a milkshake. If a boozy espresso shake sounds like the cure for all your worries, choose the Exhausted Parent. To taste both the handcrafted cupcakes and unique ice cream concoctions, order a cupcake ala mode. Play around with fun combinations. You can choose any flavor of either dessert. Raspberry Rhapsody ice cream with a Lemon Drop cupcake, anyone?

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