Every day in August, The Salt Lake Tribune staff will select a different frozen confection for readers to try. We'll taste our way through ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, shave ice and any other treat that will help us beat the heat. Today's pick:
Vanilla frozen custard • Frozen custard is the rich cousin of frozen yogurt creamier, denser and shinier. A single scoop of vanilla makes you wonder why "vanilla" ever became a synonym for "ordinary."
Where to get it • Nielsen's Frozen Custard, 3918 Highland Dr., Holladay, 801) 277-7479; and 570 West 2600 South Bountiful; 801-292-7479
Summer hours • Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Closed Sundays
Prices • Single scoop, $1.85; double scoop, $3.48; concrete mini, $3.90; concrete regular, $5.19; first mix-in free, additional $.85
Shop talk • The richness of frozen custard comes from the eggs and a churning process that eliminates most of the air found in regular ice cream. Despite the creaminess, however, a dish of frozen custard contains less fat than, say, a dish of Ben and Jerry's. The Nielsen's custard menu includes vanilla and chocolate, plus a flavor-of-the-day, all made on-site. Or, if you want less silkiness and more variety, you can get a "concrete" a thick blend of frozen custard and your choice of mix-in flavors.
Don't expect any cutesy décor, or even any tables. Nielsen's in Holladay has been at the same location, in the same no-frills building, since 1981, when Steve Nielsen opened his first shop. The store in Bountiful is another local institution as well. (There are also Nielsen's in Las Vegas and Virginia). There are benches outside, but no umbrellas or trees. You don't go to Nielsen's for the ambience, though. You go to remind yourself how happy a little cone of frozen custard can make you on a summer day. And don't be fooled by the words "single scoop" it's so rich that might be all you need.
Look for our daily picks in The Mix section every Wednesday and Friday. On other days of the week, you'll find our suggestions at sltrib.com/Lifestyle
Elaine Jarvik
Dish us your top scoops
Got a favorite cold treat The Tribune should write about during our 31 days of summer series? Email your suggestions to features@sltrib.com or leave a comment on sltrib.com/blogs/BitebyBite.