If you keep up with famous food Instagram accounts the chances are high that you've seen rolled ice cream. This Thai-inspired treat has only recently become popular throughout the U.S. popping up in major cities. Most recently, rolled ice cream has made an appearance in Philadelphia at Sweet Charlie's on Walnut Street, right by Washington Square.
Every ice cream or yogurt is made to order by pouring the liquid base onto a super cold surface. As the ice cream begins to freeze, it's scraped into rolls and then placed in a cup with your toppings of choice.
Some of Sweet Charlie's rolled ice cream flavors include Monkey See, Monkey Do (featuring fresh banana and Nutella), Off Duty Officer (featuring coffee and a fresh donut hole), and SoCal (featuring açai, banana and granola).
Some of Sweet Charlie's flavors include Monkey See, Monkey Do with fresh banana and Nutella, Off Duty Officer with coffee and a donut hole, and SoCal that uses açai, banana and granola.
If you want to take it to the next level, you can order a Tall Charlie, which is your choice of ice cream roll served on a warm, long glazed donut.
Sweet Charlie's is located right down the street from where I interned this summer, so I got to try it myself with my boss. I ordered the S'mores Please and my boss ordered the Wonder Filled.
So, did the ice cream live up the hype? In my opinion, yes.
My ice cream tasted fresh and had a nice texture. Because they had rolled in the ingredients for my flavor choice right in front of me, the s'mores flavor was strong but not artificial. My boss enjoyed her ice cream immensely as well, agreeing with me on the freshness factor.
My rolled ice cream tasted fresh and had a nice texture. Because they had rolled in the ingredients for my flavor choice right in front of me, the s'mores flavor was strong but not artificial. My boss enjoyed her ice cream immensely as well, agreeing with me on the freshness factor.
The opening of Sweet Charlie's has definitely been buzzing around Philly. Having heard that the line forms pretty quickly even during the day, we got there at 12:45, fifteen minutes before opening. We made the right decision getting there early because by the time the doors opened, there was already a line behind us stretching down the block.
At night, the line apparently gets even longer, and wait can be up to an hour. Moral of the story: plan ahead and be prepared to wait a little while. I can promise you it's worth it.
At night, the line apparently gets even longer, and wait can be upwards of an hour. Moral of the story: plan ahead and be prepared to wait a little while. I can promise you it's worth it.
Looking for more Philly eats? Check these out:
• 50 of the Best Things to Eat in Philly Before You Die