Emack and Bolio's

Elite '08

917

485

Megan C.

New York, NY

WAAAY Better than Serendipity 3 even without the stupid frozen hot chocolate!  Really happy that they have another location on the UES:  http://www.yelp.com/bi...  

Date Rating: 9
Pick up Scale: 1

Strong Suggestions: try a couple flavors and then just pick one.  You can't go wrong!

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Elite '08

19

260

Liz E.

Flushing, NY

The day before I left for college, my dad took my siblings and I up and around the Upper West Side for a walk, which was quite the exciting thing for us Queensites. As we walked around, we came upon an Emack and Bolio's, which I had heard about and insisted we try. I got the Grasshopper Pie frozen yogurt, which, though good, I regret getting over other flavors...next time, stick with the full fat good stuff, Liz!

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2

11

Kurt and Krissi A.

New York, NY

Great ice cream in the UWS.  A bit expensive... but I'm passionate about mint-oreo ice cream... delish!  Kurt had strawberry, also great.  Not a LOT of variety (a menu listing is available online), so giving it 4 out of 5 stars.

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Elite '08

157

157

Atif I.

New York, NY

Ok, folks... Emack and Bolio may have good ice cream, but let's not miss a simple fact: they are a chain! Yes, they are an environmentally conscious ice cream chain from the North East... much like Ben and Jerry (yes, gasp!)... Franchise, anyone?

I confess that I too was blown away when I first tried their stuff, back in 2001. But, the lack of any noteworthy innovation since then has considerably lessened my enthusiasm for them, particularly as I am a fan of the "made fresh daily" concept. E&B doesn't deliver consistently on that.

They do have excellent cones and a large variety of them: sugar, wafer, waffle, Rice Krispy waffle, etc. In fact, inspired from the long running thread that is becoming a challenger to the one on Mark W., "waffle cones" is the first thought that would come to my mind in a word association test for Emack and Bolio.

Sure, they have some excellent flavors, notably Grasshopper Pie (creme de menthe, oreo and chocolate chips), Pumpkin Pie (seasonal), and to a lesser extent: Pistachio but other than consistent texture from superior refrigeration, I can't see any reason that I would go ga ga over Emack and Bolio.

Observant yelper that he is, Scott R. is spot on with the comment on the inconvenience of the door opening inside the narrow shop. It adds to the cramped experience, particularly as there is a steady stream of visitors here in the afternoon.

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Elite '08

18

83

Daniel C.

Boston, MA

I must've walked by this place a bunch and missed it each time.  It is a very small and unassuming ice cream shop (and apparently a chain), but it is definitely worth a shot if you've never been before.  I had the cake batter flavor which was truly to die for... easily some of the best ice cream I've had a while.  It was cake batter flavored ice cream with fudge sauce and pieces of cake swirled in for good measure.

Seating was limited, but when you get a cone (and they do have a wide variety of cones, if not overpriced) you don't really need to sit anyways.

My major gripe was have to run down the street to an ATM in a bodega to get money since the ice cream joint is cash only!  Don't make the same mistake, come with money ready and waiting in your pockets.  You're going to be dropping at least $3.50 for the most basic cone and one scoop of ice cream.

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Elite '08

123

588

Scott R.

New York, NY

This ice cream shop rocks.  They usually have 20 or so flavors available.  I've dug every flavor I've tried here  - even the low carb/splenda-iferous ones.

They've got toppings but half the ice cream flavors are loaded with something like peanut butter cups or Oreos so they're kinda unnecessary.  They've got a bunch of cone options - sugar, wafer, waffle, dipped waffle.

The place is really small and, inexplicably, the front door pushes into the store instead of pulling out.  But I've never experienced a big line here - even in the summer.  And it's open late ('til midnight i think)...

If there's a better choice for ice cream in the UWS, I'd be afraid to try it...

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Elite '08

11

92

Gabe F.

New York, NY

I was very impressed with their selection of flavors.  I was overwhelmed and had no idea what to order.  I choose a single scoop of chocolate addiction which was truly for the chocolate lover (me!) and it was superb!  I loved the bits of dark chocolate in the overflowing scoop they place on my cone.  Seriously, I couldn't believe that was a single scoop!

This place is a bit cozy so if it's a hot day the place will be packed.  I'll still go anytime to get a scoop of this delicious ice cream.  Yum Yum!

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Elite '08

119

227

Jessica B.

New York, NY

Cash only, slightly expensive, but worth it.

The dipped waffle cones are incredible, as is the Grasshopper Pie.  It's minty, cookie-ey, and creamy.  The guy who works there is kind of a grouch sample-wise, but I'd get frustrated too if someone came in, always asked for a different sample, then proceeded to order the same thing each...and...every...time.

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52

373

K N.

Los Angeles, CA

Pros: YUM!

Cons: Lose count when it comes to calories...

Your heart will melt once your eyes take in their RICE KRISPY WAFFLE CONES!!! Top it with Pumpkin ice-cream. Sigh.

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Elite '08

16

106

Cheryl C.

New York, NY

Stopped by here last night. Shades of Ben and Jerry's ... this little ice cream shop is cute bordering on cutesy. Or maybe it's cutesy bordering on cute. Given that the hot trends in cool treats are gelato and unsweetened froyo, it's almost surprising to run across Emack and Bolio's, resolutely committed to serving good old Ice Cream.

They have a really nice range of scrumptiously rich, calorie-laden options. There's also sorbet, since I for one don't crave coffee ice cream when it's 90 degrees out. Once you get past the hippie-dippy signage, it's a pretty appealing option.

Seating consists of a bench outside. $3.50 for a single cup/cone.

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