Born in Thailand and brought to New York City in 2015, I-CE-NY makes Thai-style rolled ice cream by chopping and freezing a customized ice cream base on a metal plate chilled to -15°F, then scraping it into rolls within minutes. The concept began as “I-TIM-PAD” in Thailand, where it grew to 30 franchise vendors in its first six months, and has since expanded to more than 250 locations across Asia and over 20 in the United States. Customers can build their own combinations or try creations such as Mango Sticky RI-CE, which pairs mango ice cream with Thai coconut sticky rice.
Island PopsBorn from a Trinidadian couple’s craving for soursop ice cream, Island Pops makes Caribbean-inspired ice cream, ice pops and sorbets by hand in Brooklyn. Khalid Hamid and Shelly Marshall founded the company in 2015 after developing their recipes and winning a local business-plan competition, later opening their Crown Heights flagship in 2018. Using natural ingredients, including fruit sourced mainly from the Caribbean, Island Pops also ships its small-batch frozen desserts nationwide and caters events in the tri-state area.BROOKLYN, NY
Paleteria FernandezPaleteria Fernandez makes and distributes fruit paletas, ice cream and other frozen treats in New York, bringing the traditional Mexican paletería experience to its Port Chester and Mamaroneck shops. The family business has operated in New York since 2004, using recipes passed down from its parents, who learned them in Tocumbo, Michoacán—the birthplace of the La Michoacana paleta tradition. Its Mamaroneck location, opened in 2010, serves as the parent branch distributing products to other establishments.PORT CHESTER, NY
Frozen Cow Ices & CreamIn Lido Beach, Frozen Cow Ices & Cream makes fresh ice cream and ices, with pickup and delivery available for its rotating selection of flavors. The shop also prepares custom flavors and treats, alongside ice cream cakes, handmade ice cream sandwiches, and other dessert offerings.LIDO BEACH, NY
Eric’s Ice Cream FactorySince 1999, Eric’s Ice Cream Factory has been making homemade, handcrafted ice cream in small three-gallon batches at its Northwest Ohio shops and mobile ice cream truck. The Defiance-based company has developed more than 170 rotating flavors, including its own dairy-free options and exclusive topping and flavor lines, giving its cases a distinctly local and inventive character.DEFIANCE, OH