Cold Stone Creamery

120, HeNan Rd, Sec 3, 1F (Tiger City); (04) 3606-2555
Hours: 11 am-10 pm
Credit cards accepted. Parking available.

To say that Cold Stone Creamery's ice cream is rich and delicious like nothing else is no exaggeration. The Arizona-based ice cream chain, which operates about 1,400 outlets worldwide, has opened in Taichung with a high-profile branch facing Tiger City mall's main plaza. Cold Stone's super-premium ice creams and sorbets are so thick and air-free that the staff can cut and fold the equally-rich ingredients into it. Customers can choose from many flavors and ingredients for a DIY treat, but it's easiest to order one of the many Signature Creation options, such Apple Pie A La Cold Stone, Breathless Boston Cream Pie, Banana Caramel Crunch, Strawberry Banana Rendezvous, Germanchokolatekake, the low-fat Sinless Island, and seasonal specials like Snowing Santa Mocha. Sizes include the smallest "Like It" (NT$90 DIY, NT$110 Signature), "Love It" (NT$140/160), and a very sizable "Gotta Have It" (NT$190/210); there's an extra NT$20 for a Waffle Bowl or Cone. Cold Stone also offers coffees and other drinks, smoothies, milkshakes, and eight-inch-thick ice cream cakes (NT$1,200 6-inch, NT$1,600 8-inch--order 3 days in advance). The fun-loving staff members regularly burst into a variety of tunes and birthday parties can be arranged. --By Douglas Habecker, translated by Ann Lee