By Jonah Lisa Dyer
Photography by Bradly J. Boner
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Visitors from many other parts of the country are shocked to discover that most homes in the Tetons don’t have central air conditioning. So, when the temperature spikes in the mountains, we go old school: open the windows, turn on a fan, and grab a frozen treat! And here’s where the grabbing is best …
In the Hole
Moo’s Gourmet Ice Cream can’t be beat in the state of Wyoming. Literally! Moo’s Wild Huckleberry ice cream holds the title of “Best Dessert in the State” by Trip Advisor, Business Insider, and The Food Network. Moo’s uses over 20 gallons of wild, handpicked huckleberries each season. You can find their homemade ice cream at their parlor on Jackson Town Square, in various Jackson restaurants, and in the freezer case at nearly every local grocery store.
Liberty Burger has milkshakes for the entire family. The kids will love the Nutella and Graham Cracker shake or their top-seller, Sticky Situation, a decadent blend of peanut butter, chocolate, and caramel. But the real treats at this joint are the adult milkshakes WITH A KICK! The Ice Cream Sandwich milkshake contains Oreos and Bailey’s Irish Cream and the Orange Julius is made from orange juice and citrus-infused vodka.
Remember the ice cream truck? Well, in the Tetons we have the Nom Nom Doughnut Truck instead. Nom Nom serves ice cream in a doughnut cone that is so good you’ll be driving all over town looking for them. Catch their truck on both sides of the hill at Music on Main (Thursday evenings in the Victor City Park), The People’s Market (Wednesday evenings at the base of Snow King Mountain), and at every Jackson Hole Live music event.
Sophisticated palates enjoy CoCo Love’s handcrafted gelato and sorbet made by the Gelato World Cup first-place winner, Oscar Ortega. His coconut gelato is a local favorite, but he’s currently perfecting his chocolate, in an effort to retain his title. Coco Love also serves the perfect frozen pick-me-up: a traditional affogato made with stracciatella (vanilla gelato with chocolate drizzle) and espresso.
The Eskimo Bar at the Snake River Grill is the piece de resistance of Jackson frozen treats, so popular that the The Food Network featured it on “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” They start with a layer of Sharffen Berger chocolate brownie, add a layer of housemade vanilla bean ice cream, then dip the whole thing in chocolate sauce that hardens to a thin, crispy shell. Top that with a side of warm, rich caramel sauce for a treat you’ll never forget!
In Teton Valley
Old-fashioned soda fountains are the way to go in Idaho and, luckily, you can pick from a pair. At the Victor Emporium, their World Famous Huckleberry Milkshake has been putting smiles on faces for over 25 years. Locally handpicked huckleberries and Idaho Falls’ own Farr’s vanilla ice cream make this treat worth your time (and time again). And their extra thick straws ensure a huge burst of berries in every sip. In Driggs, the classic Lime Freeze has topped the menu board at Corner Drug since the 1950s. But don’t ask Sally for the recipe. It’s a well-guarded secret.
Yelp rated Forage Bistro in Driggs “The Best Restaurant in Idaho” in 2016 (rightfully so). Chef Lisa Hanley’s homemade artisanal ice cream and vegan sorbet surely helped win that spot. Lemon and lavender, fig and honey, and vanilla and orange, with bits of chocolate, all make up the amazing flavor combinations you’ll find on their seasonal menu.
Whether you’re visiting from out of town or are a longtime local, there are plenty of choices for edible ways to beat the mountain heat.
