By: Tara Spicer | June 15 2011
Posted in Seattle - Find It - Seattle

A refreshing scoop of Strawberry-Rhubarb sorbet. Photo by: Tara Spicer

It’s 12:02 on a sunny Sunday afternoon, and Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream Shop has been open for just two minutes. Already there’s a line snaking out the door. Capitol Hill passerby consider joining the patiently waiting ice cream seekers when they smell the waffle cone batter wafting from the doorway (shop owners take note: this is the scent-paved path to profit!).

Eventually, everyone makes it inside the shop which boasts an entire wall of Molly merch—onesies, tote bags, and candy-colored tees bearing Molly Moon’s signature pup. And in case you’re wondering, Molly Moon is not the dog’s name, it’s the owner’s. Molly Moon Neitzel is the daughter of hippies and a lover of all things local: local dairy products, fruit, and herbs that come together to create flavors you aren't likely find in the frozen food aisle at your grocery store. And, in that spirit of supporting fresh, farm-sourced produce, this hip ice cream shop offers a seasonal menu in addition to long-standing customer favorites.    

This summer you can nosh on scoops of deliciously fresh Springberry Fro-Yo, chock full of springtime berries (that’s frozen yogurt for those of you who don’t speak ice cream), spicy-tart Ginger-Lemonade Sorbet, Strawberry Rhubarb Sorbet, and the popular Sasquatch (which pairs Theo Chocolate with crunchy granola). Their "always" menu features standards like Vanilla Bean, rich Vivace Coffee, and perennial favorites Balsamic Strawberry, which has a tangy note, and the salty/sweet Salted Caramel. And if you’re torn on which one to try, just ask the scoopers behind the counter for a sample. If you're in the mood for a sundae, there's also a variety of housemade toppings like Vanilla Bean Caramel, Lemon Curd, and Cajeta - a thick syrup made with sweetened caramalized milk. For the ultimate splurge, try a generously-sized Anna Banana Split, or the delectable Sam's Sundae, which combines chocolate ice cream with bergamot-infused olive oil, fresh whipped cream, and sea salt to create an unforgettable taste sensation.     

Buckets o' waffle cones.

Molly Moon's has expanded from a one-shop stop (the flagship store is located in Wallingford) to an iconic name in the Seattle food scene. With a truck you can track on Twitter, three brick-and-mortar locations, and a new shop opening in Queen Anne this August, there’s more than one way to satisfy your sweet tooth. Business is positively booming for the former music exec-turned entrepreneur: on a recent Saturday, they sold 500 waffle cones worth of ice cream. And that’s just the cones. Which explains why, at any given moment, there’s someone behind the counter whipping, cooking, and rolling the batter. “My clothes smell like waffle, my phone smells like waffle, and my car smells like waffle,” one employee declares while elbow-deep in batter buckets.

Since this ice cream shop is also dog-friendly, on your way out the door, you're likely to spot a leashed customer chowing down on a cone, clearly enjoying one of life’s simplest pleasures. We recommend you pay a visit here to experience the joy of Molly's homemade concoctions, too!

Grab a scoop:

Wallingford
1622 N 45th St
Seattle, WA
(206)547-5105

Capitol Hill
917 E Pine St
Seattle, WA
206-708-7947

Madrona
1408 34th Ave
Seattle, WA


Tara Spicer is a freelance writer who enjoys eating on the job. She lives with her husband and two cats in Edmonds, Washington.

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