This was the first year I decided to put together a "May Madness" Ice Cream Bracket. It was in May instead of March only because of the #coronavirus. But in the years to come, I hope to keep it alongside my favorite sport's championship.#basketballisthebest. ;)
The Sweet 16 this year consisted of (in order Left to Right, Top to Bottom):
Blacksmith, Bountiful
Brooker's Founding Flavors, Vineyard/Provo
The Creamery, Beaver
Leatherby's, multiple Utah locations
Brusters, Provo
Rowley's Red Barn, Santaquin
Monkeywrench, SLC
Crumbl, multiple Utah locations
Rockwell, Provo
BYU Creamery, Provo
Nielson's Frozen Custard, multiple Utah locations
SubZero, multiple Utah locations
Farr's, Orem
Aggie Ice Cream, Logan
Handel's, Sandy/Lehi
Bowtie, Ogden
The results of some of the rounds surprised me, to be honest! But I believe that as the years go by, the results will become more and more accurate as awareness grows of this competition. It is the first on it's kind here in Utah.
Some of these matchups were hard to make. I used a compilation of Yelp reviews, Google reviews, and Utah magazines and local news articles. I wanted to put together the bracket with some of the already popular favorites of my fellow Utahns. These were the best sources I could find to put together an Instagram competition based around a specific dessert.
In the end, Brooker's Founding Flavors ended up beating out 15 of it's fellow counterparts. Their fans are loyal and for good reason. Mr. Brian Brooker spent years studying ice cream and what makes the perfect ice cream recipe. Each recipe is his own, unique compilation of flavor, mix-ins, and U.S. spirit, and not to mention he religiously believes in his 15% butterfat to be the best. ;) Each flavor has an inventive name based on the founding of the United States of America. Some may be long, although that is part of the fun. Brooker's is an experience with a tasty treat. If you haven't been yet, it's time to go! You're missing out.
Brooker's pulled off the win by a landslide; winning with more that 400 more votes than Nielson's. The toughest battle this year was when Brooker's went up against Rockwell. That was a nail-bitter and Brooker's pulled ahead last minute with just 21 more votes than Rockwell. So close! Again, I argue that next year's battle with show really interesting and very different results as the fans of Utah's finest start to rally together to compete once again. Can you help, you ask? Why yes! Make sure to tell your friends and fam to follow me and journey with me to find the best ice creams in Utah. Then next year, their vote will count and the accuracy of the event will be even greater.
Never had some of these ice cream shops? I hope this gives you a big reason to dig up yourself from that rock you've been living under and taste some of these amazing ice creams! Each parlor has a flavor, texture, or creaminess waiting for you to try. Who knows? Your favorite may be out there still.
Don’t agree with the results for the best ice cream shop in Utah? Please follow me on Instagram (@IceCream.Foodie) and tell me what you think. I love to talk ice cream. I'm still making my way through all the ice cream shops in Utah (and beyond) but I’m always super interested to hear new and different takes on what good ice cream should be. Not into ice cream? That’s ok because I talks about all desserts, chocolate, grocery finds, and even just good food. Hence the name I take on as the "Ice Cream Foodie" --- ice cream plus food. What could be better?
Results of 2020 May Madness:
1. Brooker's Founding Flavors
2. Nielson's Frozen Custard
3. Rockwell
4. Handel's
5. Monkeywrench
6. BYU Creamery
7. The Creamery
8. Leatherby's
9. Aggie Ice Cream
10. Blacksmith
11. Rowley's Red Barn
12. Crumbl
13. SubZero
14. Farr's
15. Bowtie
16. Bruster's
Honorable mentions (some may appear in future brackets):
Nil's Swedish Creamery
Mora Iced Creamery
Cannery Creamery
Judd's Store
Moab Garage Co
Paleteria La Bonita
SuperChix
Spilled Milk
Culver's
Charlie's Ice Ceam
Roll With It
Sweet Rolled Tacos
Doki Doki
William's Dairy Bar
Normal Club
Feel free to let me know what places above you think deserve a fighting chance in next years battle! :)
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