As the temperature starts going up, so does the want and need of a treat to cool you down. With Monmouth being so close to the beach, students are lucky that they have so many choices when it comes to frozen delights.
Ice cream, frozen yogurt, Italian ice, and gelato are all popular treats when the heat gets to be too much. Places like The Light House Strollos, Carvel, Frozen Peaks, and The Corner Café are all in convenient locations for students. All you need to focus on is what you are going to get.
Everyone has those childhood memories where their parents told them they could get ice cream after they finished their dinner. Whether it was from the ice cream man, your freezer at home, or your local ice cream shop, you made sure that dinner was finished before your parents had time to change their minds.
One of the best things about being away at college is that we don’t even need to finish our dinner. We can have ice cream for dinner if that is what we choose.
Just a short three minute drive can get you to one of the most famous ice cream shops known to man; Carvel. Customers get their choice between the classic chocolate, vanilla, or sherbet.
Nicole Morrocco, a communication major, likes to stick to the original flavors. “My favorite is chocolate and vanilla in a cone,” she said.
When the classics just do not satisfy you anymore, Carvel has their original creation called the Carvelanche. Ice cream blended with delicious toppings like Oreos, M&M’s, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups make for a perfect after or before dinner treat.
A new type of ice cream that has been popping up in some cafes is gelato. The Italian ice cream made from milk, gelatin, sugar, and sometimes fruit has ice cream lovers switching to gelato lovers.
Located in Pier Village, The Corner Café has a nice selection of gelato. At $3.59 for a small, the price is worth the satisfaction you get after your first spoonful. With flavors like Pistachio, Cookies and Cream, Strawberry Cheesecake, and even Caramel Macchiato, you will be coming back every week for a new taste.
Megan Hazard, a sophomore marketing major, already has her favorite picked out. “I usually get Caramel Macchiato,” she said.
For those who think ice cream or gelato is a little too much, an Italian ice is a little lighter of a choice. The Light House Strollo’s homemade Italian ice is a favorite to most around the Long Branch area. Homemade is the key to success for this popular afternoon snack. Each squeeze cup is filled to the top with just the perfect amount of ice to fill the craving of something sweet.
Choices for flavors include Cherry, Lemon, Root Beer, Blue Raspberry, Pineapple, and even Pina Colada. Over 15 flavors allow you to try something new each time you head over to The Lighthouse. Rita’s is also located nearby in Eatontown and offers treats like Gelatis and Blendinis.
Frozen yogurt has become a popular craze in recent years. Fro-yo shops have popped up across the country and there are plenty right around campus. Frozen Peaks is located in the Monmouth Mall and offers flavors that are always changing. Fro Yo Beach is located in Long Branch next to Izu and has everything from S’Mores flavored yogurt to Nutella. Top It is also located right on Ocean Avenue and offers student discounts as well as plenty of flavors and toppings.
There is no way we can control the temperature going up, but we can control how we cool ourselves down. From ice cream to ices, cold treats are becoming more popular each year. New types of ice cream are created each year to keep customers interested in their products. History and anthropology adjunct professor Joseph Reynolds said that he has even passed by Eddie Confetti Ice Cream in Asbury Park, which offers vegan ice cream.
With a little bit of something out there for everyone, the heat has finally met its match. Whether you are in the mood for a light option like Italian ice or an indulgent treat like gelato, you don’t have to travel far for a delicious dessert.
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