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Fosselman's Ice Cream Co.

4.5 star rating
based on 458 reviews

Category: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt  [Edit]

Neighborhood: Alhambra
1824 W Main St
Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 282-6533
Hours:

Mon-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Price Range:
$
Accepts Credit Cards:
No
Parking:
Street, Private Lot
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

458 reviews for Fosselman's Ice Cream Co.

Review Highlights   

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"My current fave is blueberry and chocolate dipped strawberry." (in 23 reviews)
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"like an old fashioned ice cream parlor." (in 22 reviews)
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"this is actual taro ice cream, rich and creamy." (in 92 reviews)
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Photo of Edwin B.

 

4

58

Edwin B.

Arcadia, CA

5 star rating
2/5/2010

I don't know, I mean I woke up cause someone started yelling Ice Cream. Being lactose intolerant, I really could care less for Ice Cream.

Until I opened the freezer and tried it.

Now I get gas all night. Damn it.

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Photo of diana i.

Elite '10

296

236

diana i.

Los Angeles, CA

3 star rating
1/25/2010

If I had written this review before my visit to SF a.k.a. ice cream mecca, I'd probably have given Fosselman's a 4. But sadly, I don't think this place is that great in comparison.

It has an old-fashioned cute feel to it and they also sell candy like a real old fashioned ice cream parlor. Their flavors are pretty standard. Don't come here expecting any crazy unique concoctions. I've tried their Strawberry which was really soft and smooth. mmm I like! I would definitely get that one again. And although I'm a huge toffee fan, I really didn't like their English Toffee flavor. It was too sweet for me and I ended up tossing most of it.

I still think the best ice cream in LA area is SCOOPS! Hard to find a place around here that beats that. But for a standard ice cream parlor, tastewise, Fosselman's is A-OKAY.

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Photo of brittney a.

 

41

55

brittney a.

Arcadia, CA

5 star rating
1/18/2010

I LOVE ME SOME ICE CREAAAM! : )
Ice cream is my comfort food & every time I'm in Alhambra, I make sure to stop by and get a single scoop of chocolate dipped strawberry in a sugar cone. DELICIOUS. They are genius for making it a flavor, seriously. Chocolate dipped strawberry in ice cream form? heeeeellll yeaaaaa!

I love how they have a bunch of different and unique flavors. That's what sets Fosselman's apart from your typical Baskin Robbins, Coldstone's, etc. Sucks that it's cash only, but it's not thaaat big of a deal. Parking DOES suck (what is there like ... 6 spots?) and if you have to use the bathroom, you better hold it or go to Wells Fargo next door. : (
But aside from all that, their ice cream kicks ass.

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Photo of Ann M.

 

12

62

Ann M.

San Gabriel, CA

5 star rating
2/1/2010

Hands down best ice cream!
I love their chocolate mint chip, coconut pineapple, and lychee!  :)

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Photo of Michelle L.

 

38

70

Michelle L.

Arcadia, CA

5 star rating
1/13/2010 3 photos

Came here with Cheryl Y. after she kept sending me yelp links whenever I was on AIM with her. She was very insistent we have dinner in the asian hood so that we could get some homemade ice cream afterward.

I've driven by this place numerous times and always chalked it up to be a local Baskin-Robbins or a less showy Cold Stone Creamery. Let's just say I was majorly wrong when it came to this sweet shop!

The parking lot is a bit of a joke, and you have to be pretty ballsy to get in and out (that's what she said!). There's room for about 7 cars, but be weary of the Asian drivers with the sun visors!

Walking into Fosselman's I wasn't too sure what I wanted to try. Luckily one of the guys working there was super helpful and recommended some of his favorites. I lucked out since he mention the banana heath, and I effing love love love bananas! I paired that with a coffee ice cream and was super happy! I even sent a picture message to my ice cream loving friend just to taunt her on my victory :)

The last time I went I tried the other banana flavor along with the butter pecan (my other weakness). I actually liked this banana flavor more (I'm not a big chocolate fan so the heath pieces in the other kind of bugged), and the butter pecan, ugh...YUM! It was perfectly creamy, sweet, and really did make my mouth extra happy post dim-sum.

If you love love love ice cream, then pop on over to Fosselman's Ice Cream Co. for some yum in your tum! They also have a sweets shop in there as well so you can stock up on your favorite candies and a giant jawbreaker ball as well!

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1

18

guppeee p.

Pacoima, CA

2 star rating
2/3/2010

BRING CASH. We had to dig for cash, quarters, nickels and dimes and crumpled up stripper money in some odd places but, we did it, we all got sundays. I LOVE ICE CREAM. This place was very blah. I was excited. but when I got there I was like..."THIS is Fosselman's" I can do just fine roaming the freezer isle, frosting up the glass at ralphs.

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Elite '10

34

48

Vicki T.

Hacienda Heights, CA

4 star rating
1/14/2010

On a recent sunny day, my friend and I stopped by Fosselman's because I was craving for some sweets.  My friend said that this place has been opened for a long time and that he and his friends used to come here when they were in high school.  

My, this place is adorable!  An old-fashion, not high strung, classic ice cream shop.  Small round tables and cozy booths, and barrels of bagged candies filled the room.  I glanced over the plethora of ice cream flavors, wanting to try them all out.  But, the moment I saw the Coconut Pineapple barrel, I had to have it.  Being my favorite flavor, I usually opt to try the coconut pineapple to compare tastes.  The one here at Fosselman's is pretty tasty, a good balance of coconut and pineapple.  Another plus is that I hear that all ice cream is made within the shop, so it's quite fresh.

This is a cute place to bring someone for a date or just for a snack.  The only grip I have is that it's cash only.  So come prepared!

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48

136

Daniel C.

Burbank, CA

5 star rating
1/17/2010

Everyone in the house was craving ice cream yesterday except me. So I figured instead of the usual Baskin-Robbins, i'd treat them to something different. Got on Yelp and lo and behold I found this place.

 We got there at about 3:45 in the afternoon and the line was almost out the door, which makes one think that the product here must be good, we get to the counter and place our orders, sundaes all around. Although I wasn't craving ice cream earlier..by the time I saw all the frozen goodness in the case I quickly changed my mind.
My GF got banana nut, my kids got cookies and cream, and I got dark chocolate with cherries jubilee, the chocolate and cherry combo was fantastic. This is one place I know i'll be coming back to in the future.

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Elite '10

112

304

minda w.

Diamond Bar, CA

3 star rating
1/11/2010

This is a super cute place that nods to the ice cream/sweet shops of the bygone days. For $2.50, you get a giant scoop of ice cream. yay!

Peppermint Bark ~ tastes like my peppermint lip gloss. =P I tried a bunch of flavors and all of them were very light. I was looking for something rich and flavorful but did not find it. Peppermint Bark had the longest lasting flavor. My one scoop was so gigantic that half way through I couldn't taste it anymore. My advice is get one scoop and split it.

I can't help but compare this place to Fenton's (the one in Up). I love Fenton's! Fosselman's is good but I'm just not craving it.

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Photo of Suzanne L.

 

58

198

Suzanne L.

Covina, CA

2 star rating
1/19/2010

No. Freaking. Way. For realizies?!!

I heard the hype, so when I noticed Fosselman's right next door (we were at an ATM or something), we had to get some.

I tried the single scoop of cookie dough, and my chauffeur had the rocky road. We both thought the ice cream was meh, though my cookie dough pieces were nummy. I thought perhaps it was because I ordered a boring flavor, that I didn't taste the magic that is Fosselman's, but I really don't think that's it. Everything is just kind of boring and the flavors not really appealing. I'd rather have Thrifty's.

Fosselman's: you're not for me. Or for the chauffeur.

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Photo of Anna H.

 

33

166

Anna H.

Fairfield, CA

1 star rating
1/25/2010

Coming from the land of Mitchells, Bi-Rite and Fentons in Norcal I must say that I was really disappointed with Fosselmans. I've heard such great things about Fosselman's so I was excited to come try it.  Boy was I surprised with what I got!  I've had ice cream from Baskin Robbins and Dreyers that was of better quality. The ice cream was bland and forgettable I will not be returning.

Don't buy into the hype.

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Elite '10

222

268

Forrest D.

South Pasadena, CA

4 star rating
1/6/2010 4 photos

Fosselman's is rather like the Alhambra version of Willy Wonka's, except there isn't any cool glass elevator, not much chocolate candy, no oompa loompas, and I highly doubt Johnny Depp has ever been here. Other than that though, it's exactly like it and they have really good ice cream. World Famous ice cream, well at least Socal famous which equals the same things as California is the center of the world.

If you've heard enough of the accolades this place has garnered over the years, you'd probably be disappointed upon first visit. There's really not much to the place. It feels dated, but not in a retro cool way. The decor doesn't harken back to a golden age when life was perfect, it's more like there's never been an attempt to update it, which makes perfect sense when you realize that the owners are likely filthy rich from the steady and regular stream of people who frequent the place. They're so old school they only take cash, and they're not suffering for it either.

This would matter except that the ice cream is so good that the surroundings are pointless, and truthfully you can just get a gallon and take it home anyways. They have the basics, and they have a semi revolving rotation of more unique flavors. If that's not enough there are ice cream cakes, a candy area with Jelly Bellies and others. Just be warned that seating is limited and uncomfortable, all the better to get you in and out.

Best Dishes: Ummm....ice cream

Food/Dessert - A
Ambience - C
Service - B-
Value - B

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Photo of Fred R.

 

3

40

Fred R.

Fullerton, CA

5 star rating
1/5/2010

I Know it's Summer When Peach Ice Cream is Available!

I'll keep this one short, simple and sweet. Fosselman's Ice Cream cannot be beat. The store offers fantastic cones, floats, sundaes and shakes.

The parking is lousy and there are no bathrooms. That is the only downside.

Feel free to sample all the ice creams you want, but don't hog the staff by doing so or you will incur the wrath of those waiting in line behind you (believe me, there is sure to be a line)!

There is limited seating in the store, but most visitors are getting orders to go. Be sure to check the freezer for pre-packed half gallons of your favorite flavor. There are unusual flavors like Lychee, Green Tea and Root Beer. Try my favorite year round flavor, Lemon Custard.

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Elite '10

62

137

Kristy I.

Rosemead, CA

4 star rating
Updated - 12/25/2009

I came here again after going to 38 Degrees down the street.  Tried the taro and it was good!  Definitely an acquired taste, but it's mild enough to not make a newbie to taro sick.  

What I REALLY loved was their green apple sorbet (or something like that.)  My friend ordered a scoop and it was SoooOooo good!  Tart yet not too strong, icy, and deeelicious.  I was expecting an overpowering sour apple flavor, but it was PERFECT.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 4 star rating
    9/28/2009

    Mmm, ice cream.  Fresh, well-made, preservative-free ice cream?  EVEN BETTER!  I've only been able… Read more »

Photo of Janel Y.

Elite '10

197

702

Janel Y.

New York, NY

3 star rating
12/26/2009

One of my bf's friends has been raving about this place so we decided to check it out since it's so close by.

The place definitely has that "old-fashioned" ice cream parlor feel and has 3 or 4 booths as well as some tables and chairs. They also sell candy by the pound by the entrance.

I tried several samples including pumpkin and peppermint bark. The flavors were okay and I can see how other Yelpers said that after awhile, the ice cream flavor just seemed to fade. I decided to try a scoop of the dark chocolate and black walnut ($3.70) in a cup.

-dark chocolate: rich in flavor but you gotta be a chocoholic to enjoy this. Tastes kinda like fudge...one scoop is enough because after awhile, you'll wish you had an ice cold milk.
-black walnut: subtle walnut flavor with a strong taste of brown sugar? Pretty sweet, but liked the small bits of walnuts mixed in.
-mango sorbet: tried a bite from the bf's friend. Definitely packed with mango flavor, but more artificially sweet than naturally sweet

I think the flavors all add to your ice cream experience so just make sure you try your flavors and pick wisely!

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Photo of Mikki T.

 

51

10

Mikki T.

Culver City, CA

5 star rating
12/22/2009

This is my favoooooooooooooooourite place in summer, I love ice-creams very much. they have very good varieties or taste of ice-creams. I am a big big fan of Fosselman's Ice Cream Co. it is not an expensive spot for me of course, I like cold coffee of this wonderful place, its delicious! I like banana or chocolate taste of ice-cream cones very much.

The staff is friendliness or too much nice. all the ladies who worked here are lovely. very attractive place, love it.

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Photo of Joey B.

 

340

158

Joey B.

Whittier, CA

5 star rating
1/17/2010

Love to bike here with my niece on a Saturday. Perfect destination for us.

It's all good.

Worth three hours of biking!!

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Elite '10

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1858

Shauna D.

Los Angeles, CA

4 star rating
12/14/2009

I've been coming to Fosselman's off and on for years. The lychee is a fave of mine. And I think their ice cream cakes are great.

But I've never seen it as empty as it was last Saturday afternoon. Granted, it was raining cats and dogs. But we still braved it. Oh, they still had plenty of business. People are obsessed with Fosselman's. They just weren't crazy like we were to hang out. I saw lots of people coming in for the gallons of ice cream to take home but they also are doing eggnog now. Just add brandy or rum or so the sign proclaimed.

I decided to split a banana split with two others. We got taro, dark chocolate and banana heath as our three flavors along with pineapple, hot fudge and hot caramel. Topped with whipped cream and cherries, it was great! It has the most perfect banana in it. And less than $6.

The girls working the store were very nice. I tasted the egg nog ice cream (subtle). The peppermint bark (also very subtle) and the pumpkin mole despite their protest it wasn't any good (yeah, they sure can sell ice cream). It wasn't bad which they told me sounds like, "it's not good." But no, really, the pumpkin was too subtle as was the mole. I want the flavors to pop!

I think my favorite that afternoon was actually the dark chocolate. Now, that was not subtle. In yo face chocolate!

I'm glad Fosselman's is still around. Where else would I go to find taffy outside of a carnival or county fair?

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Photo of Coral T.

 

0

6

Coral T.

San Gabriel, CA

4 star rating
12/26/2009

Fosselman's doesn't have public bathrooms, nor do they give out free forks, spoons, and napkins. The parking lot is right on the side, and there's only six or seven spaces.

This place is not bad. The staff never greets or otherwise follows polite norms when people come in, but then again if I spent half my day behind the freezing machinery, I would probably not enjoy it, either.

Their chocolate is not that good. It's too thick and made my mouth hurt. I barely managed to finish half a Dark Chocolate malt. I read a couple professional reviews that recommended that flavor, but it's just not tasty. What I've found to be good are Mint Chocolate Chip, Cookie Dough, and Chocolate Dipped Strawberry. Same works with their malts and milkshakes. $5.10 for one of these, and a couple of times the cashier told me, "Keep the dime."

Besides ice cream, they do offer fudge brownies and candies. However, I don't know how many people actually buy and enjoy those. I've been here dozens of times and have yet to see any.

They really need gift certificates, though.

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Photo of joseph s.

 

13

171

joseph s.

Los Angeles, CA

4 star rating
12/13/2009

Great spot to consume some delicious ice cream. I love the ice cream sandwiches, ice cream straight in a bowl, in a cone, and their mango smoothie. This place is definitely better then your typical Baskin Robins or Cold Stones. I also like the friendliness of the staff.

The only unfortunate knock down of a star is due to its terribly small parking lot and that vibe I get when I come here. Specifically, seeing all these obese people making their way into the store gives me reason to work off this tasty ice cream, as soon as I get home.

Overall, this place is worth four stars.

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Photo of Sedona X.

 

0

11

Sedona X.

San Gabriel, CA

3 star rating
1/30/2010

WARNING: Those of you who like the sweet, sweet, sweet, or varied and icy ice cream (AKA Baskin Robbins, Ben & Jerry, or Scoops), don't expect to be surprised here. Nor does it bear comparison with frozen yogurt. I can see why some people wouldn't like it, but Fosselman's less-sweet connotations appeal to the Asian minorities.

Perfect enough for ghetto old San Gabriel Valley. Bay Area, East Coast, or other Westernized internationals most likely won't be so impressed with this one!

There actually isn't a lot to like about their flavors. The chocolate is too thick and flavorful, the fruit flavors aren't enjoyed by my family, and everything else is too sour, too sweet, or fades too fast.

Their taro, mint chocolate chip, and cookie dough are the best for my family, but the last time I came here, I bought a gallon of the cookie dough. It was nothing but milk. Milk and cream with a few cookie chips in between. The whole gallon had ~SIX~ tiny shards of cookie dough in total. My sister said they should of just called it "cookie chip flavor". Seriously?

I did come back three more times for the same flavor. The exact same thing kept on happening!

I don't know what happened, but I hope the owners read their own reviews!

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Photo of Matt Y.

 

0

16

Matt Y.

Alhambra, CA

5 star rating
2/6/2010

An institution for a reason. It's a wonderful place to visit with someone and just enjoy some ice cream. The flavors are all listed on the wall and samples are available until you find one to your liking. After you've made your selection, you may choose to sit inside (if there's room), outside if you'd like, or take a stroll and check out the neighborhood. All three choices work for me.  This place has been around forever, still make their ice cream on location, and is still very much family owned. If there are better ice creams out there, then fine, let me try them one day. But better ice cream parlors? I doubt it.

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Photo of Jenny D.

 

21

53

Jenny D.

Los Angeles, CA

2 star rating
12/7/2009

Meh, is right.

This old school store looked promising, assuming it had the years of experience that the look implied.

I tried about 3 different ice cream flavors and every bite started off with a bang, but the flavors were short-lived. It was like a flash of flavor and before you knew it, there was still ice-cream in your mouth, but it didn't taste like anything. How does that work?

Anyway, I ended up getting the cookie batter ice cream, thinking that I just needed a whole scoop to be able to savor the flavor, but it was the same deal. With every bite, the flavors faded quickly. Which is unfortunate, because the flavors seemed to have some serious potential.

Not to mention, the service wasn't the greatest. The guy serving me looked like he hated his life, which made me hesitant to sample any other flavors. And made me hesitant to ever want to return.

Surprisingly, it sells Ube ice-cream (Filipino purple yam). That's the reason we were willing to give the place a shot. But I could get a gallon of that at the Asian market, without having to deal with the crabby service. And maybe the flavors will linger in my mouth longer that way.

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191

Emily S.

Culver City, CA

5 star rating
11/27/2009

I love the ice cream they serve at Fosselman's.  Well... I like most kinds of ice cream.. who doesn't.. but the ice cream here is even better!  I have tried a couple of the ice creams here.. heh.. but the ones I like most are the TARO ... Banana Walnut  .. Peppermint Stick.. oh yes.. with real pieces of candy cane in there.  Mmmm. .. Toasted Almond.. Rocky Road... Mocha Almond...  oh hell.. they're all good.  I haven't tasted a flavor I haven't like yet!!  

Although.. there are some that I don' t think i'll try.. because I don't know if it'd taste good.. Rum Raisin? Lemon Custard? I don't know...  

Usually when my parents go here.. or when they send my brother here.. they ask for not 1, not 2, but 6-8 tubs of Taro.  (Half Gallon)  But they don't keep all 6 for themselves.  I would usually take one.. and My sister would take one to her house.. Plus they like to stock up since.. Alhambra is so far of a drive for just Ice cream... but IT is worth it!

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Elite '10

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297

Smitcha B.

Los Angeles, CA

4 star rating
12/7/2009

Not too shabby I must say. I had the mint chip and spumoni. I find that it's really hard to F up ice cream but this place was a good choice especially after eating some cajun seafood. On your first initial visit, you'll be somewhat in awe because of the variety of flavors. It took me some time to decide. They have your typical flavors but what makes you curious is all those "other" flavors they have such as taro, lychee, green tea, and so on.

The two flavors I had were very enjoyable but I think I'm going to need to visit Fosselman's a few more times before I can truly appreciate their variety. There were a handful of other non ice cream items but I didn't bother to look because I wasn't there for that. I also saw ice cream cakes as well.

Everytime I drive by this place, there's always a good amount of people. I like how it's not located in the middle of the 626 mayhem and more like on the low key outskirts.

Note: if you're going with someone who you don't mind sharing with, just get two scoops together and it'll be cheaper. Plus, you won't feel so guilty after indulging.

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22

65

Somera R.

Los Angeles, CA

5 star rating
1/23/2010

I will never turn down an opportunity to go to Fosselman's- rain or shine (yes, I went while LA was getting a store punishment from Mother Nature).  I loooove chocolate but Fosselman's is the only place where I can deviate from chocolate because EVERYTHING is really scrumptious!  Try the mango (my new fave), taro, banana heath, banana walnut and peach.

Another reason why I love this place is because my dad has become a recent convert. My dad's idea of getting ice cream is buying the old school Thrifty brand by the bulk because he thinks an individual serving of ice cream is a waste of money. So a happy, smiling dad makes me a happy gal.

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Elite '10

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351

Larry M.

Valencia, CA

4 star rating
11/28/2009

After seeing this place on Huell Howser, I had to go here.

They have been around forever, and make a lot of great flavors though nothing too earth shattering.  My wife had a chocolate, it was good but very ordinary.  I had a black walnut, good, but the taro was excellent.  Prices were not too bad either.

The staff did not look like they really wanted to be there.  How bout some uniforms for these folks too?  Getting served by a kid in jeans and a t shirt who does not really want to be there does not play well with the old timey ice cream shop atmosphere they have.

Ultimately, the ice cream was better than average.  It is hard to get too excited though when I have been to Scoops in Los Angeles.  Not sure I would make a long drive to come here.  Well, maybe for the taro.

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7

60

Jason S.

Pasadena, CA

5 star rating
1/22/2010

This was the 1st place that i ever had white chocolate ice cream... i don't think i've ordered anything else from here ever since... and that was 20 years ago!  i know... i'm pathetic!  But at least the ice cream is good!

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22

Dee C.

Los Angeles, CA

5 star rating
12/26/2009

Dear Fosselman's,

How have you been able to perfect the ultimate classic ice cream experience? Is it the 90 years of your existence in the San Gabriel Valley? Is it the fact that you supply over 40 different flavors of ice cream, which you can eat there, take home in half gallon containers, and/or order for someone's special birthday cake? Is it the 1970s neapolitan pink and brown color scheme in your decor that makes one remember how ice cream used to made (before the era of powders and chemicals found in places like Coldstones or Baskin Robbins)?

One may never fully know but one thing is certain--your ice cream will always stand the test of time.

Over the years, I have savored every moment of your ice cream flavors. Each one possesses the right amount of creaminess and smoothness. No inconsistencies with matching the ice cream names to the taste--when you order Chocolate Raspberry Mousse your tastebuds know it.

I'll be seeing you again soon my dear Fosselman's.

D

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3

8

Jason N.

Cerritos, CA

5 star rating
1/24/2010

The ice cream is very delicious!  Mocha almond with a sugar cone is the best!!!  Very wide range of selections!  Price is very reasonable!  Parking is a bit tight, but there is also street parking if you can't work your way into their small private lot.  Seating, I suggest that if you go with someone that one person hunt for seating while the other orders.  It can get quite crowded very quickly!

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171

Jonathan Y.

Irvine, CA

4 star rating
1/11/2010

This is one of those old school, homemade, pilgrim-churned, made with real ice and real cream from real, happy cows from California, grandma/grandapa afternoon kind of ice cream place. You can almost taste the nostalgia when you walk into the red-brick store in old town Alhambra, but you'll be too busy with all the fantastic flavors. Usually I'm the guy who gets chocolate, or double chocolate, or coffee and chocolate, etc but I really love the mango ice cream here!

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Raphael C.

Harbor City, CA

3 star rating
11/6/2009

Classic flavors made with traditional ingredients.  Just like the kind grandma made...     (*My grandma never made her own ice cream)  

This place is old.  A glass case displays photos of the original Fosselmen's circa 1924 and for some odd reason also displays original classic Kewpie dolls. (Yes, the mascot-baby from the Japanese Mayonnaise)  

Fosselman's has a familiar flavor selection with a few surprises, such as the Ube and Taro flavors.  Hailing from Southeast Asia, I am always happy to see them on an ice cream menu, as they typically can only be found at Asian grocery stores.  

Personally, I found the flavor selection to be a bit boring, but what can I expect from a place that is maintaining the "classic" experience.  Oh well... In their defense, the consistency of their ice cream was absolutely flawless and better than most.  Truly tastes homemade and is a notable LA ice cream stop.  Worth a trip I suppose.    

(*)My only problem with places like this and Fair Oaks Pharmacy is that they are half-ass replicas of something that you never had the chance to experience in the first place.  In a desperate attempt to maintain its originality it becomes a watered-down and inauthentic experience.  Fosselman's is trying too hard to be that "old fashioned ice cream parlor" yet is modern enough to serve their product in plastic containers with plastic spoons.  But I guess its practical.

(*) Completely irrelevant to the quality of Fosselman's Ice cream

Recommended

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Elite '10

79

94

Katrina M.

Hollywood, CA

5 star rating
11/8/2009

Fosselman's Ice Cream: A Classic

Take one voluptuous scoop vanilla ice cream
Accent with ripe, sliced bananas
Slather in real hot fudge
Top with assortment of nuts, to your liking
And a little whipped cream

Enjoy one of the last free standing, family owned operations of its kind, like now.

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Elite '10

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748

Anthony N.

Playa del Rey, CA

3 star rating
10/26/2009

The best ice cream you are going to get is at a nice restaurant that makes it in house.  The ice cream is usually fresher with just the right temperature/texture and more unique/distinct flavors.  I've had great ice cream at Craft (caramel), Reservoir (Nutella), Gordon Ramsay (caramel) and Sona (birch bark--a little melted but good).

In terms of ice cream parlors, I like Haagen-Dazs the best (very creamy and the flavors are always spot on).  Mashti Malone is surprisingly good--creamy with great flavor.  The next tier would be like a Baskin-Robbins (usually okay flavors and okay creaminess--occasionally, too cold, too crumbly and you may find the occasional ice shards in your ice cream).

Fosselman's is creamier than Baskin-Robbins.  The flavor at Fosselman's though is not as good as a Haagen-Dazs and may be a tad below Baskin-Robbins.  Per a recommendation from Yelper Jolie D., I sampled the chocolate dipped strawberry.  I'm not a strawberry ice cream fan, but I wanted to give it a try.  It was decent, but (since I'm not a real strawberry fan) I tried the regular chocolate and the English toffee in a sugar cone.

The chocolate flavor was okay.  The chocolate flavor was a little more mild than what you would get at Baskin-Robbins.  Fosselman's is almost like a light milk chocolate while Baskin-Robbins is a much richer dark chocolate.  Very different; which you prefer will depend on how you like your chocolate.

I thought I would like the English toffee, but it became a little bland after a bit.  It started to taste like a very mellow vanilla with toffee bits.  My friend also opted for the English toffee, and she wasn't a fan.  I would get the chocolate again, but I would opt for something other than the English toffee if I got two scoops.

I'm not really in Alhambra that much so I'm glad I got the opportunity to try Fosselman's (since I've read so much about Fosselman's--and not just on Yelp).  Fosselman's has an old-fashioned feel to it--not just due to the decor/logo but also the wide variety of bulk candy by the pound sold there (including root beer barrels).  I haven't seen those barrels in a while.  You can get ice cream to go (and the to-go containers are definitely more suited for a large birthday party because they are huge).  Speaking of huge, I saw a couple get a banana split--that is definitely for two.

Fosselman's definitely has a following (it seems to be kind of an institution similar to Diddy Riese and Pink's).  If you are in the area, it may be worth at least a try.

Parking is available for free in the adjacent lot.

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3

43

Chiara S.

Alhambra, CA

5 star rating
11/18/2009

I love this little ice cream shop down the street where I live.

It has all of the lovely regular flavors of vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, etc. but it also has a lot of different flavors too like lychee, taro and mango which I'm dying to try.

I stopped by here not too long with the BF, and it was great. We shared 2 scoops of ice cream, and that was plenty. The ice cream was rich, creamy, tasty, and heavenly!

It's a small place though, and on hot summer days it gets extremely crowded, and parking is a bit of a pain, but in the end it's all worth it for some ice cold tasty treats.

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Elite '10

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142

Ken C.

Los Angeles, CA

4 star rating
11/21/2009

A must-go for any ice cream fan. The decor is cool and they have more than your average vanilla and chocholate.

My fav is the Taro, sooo creamy! I'm dying to try their Lychee and other fruit based ones I can't remember.

During the summer it can be crowded, and the parking lot is abysmally small but its all worth it.

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0

6

Stu P.

South Pasadena, CA

4 star rating
1/31/2010

Nice, small town sort of feel.  Fun to bring the family to.  Not my favorite ice cream, though.

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5

22

Cherry B.

Los Angeles, CA

5 star rating
1/8/2010

This place is so good, at one point I went to it every week.  Ya damn right I gained weight, but daaaaaaaaaamn it's sooooooooooooooooo good.  My favorite is the sundaes with melted marshmallows.  Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.  THE BEST ICE CREAM IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

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Elite '10

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216

Sharon S.

Long Beach, CA

4 star rating
10/29/2009

A haiku for Fosselman's....

Sucking through my straw
Lychee ice cream milkshake NOM
Your parking lot sucks

I also tried the butter pecan, and holy crap, I felt like I should be having a heart attack, the flavor was so intense... I wanted to smear it on toast.

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Elite '10

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182

Lesley C.

Fullerton, CA

4 star rating
11/11/2009

You have to be okay with paying a premium for icecream here because this is an old-time icecream parlor.

But...it's okay!  Sometimes you want to feel like a kid again, get a two scoop hot fudge sundae with roasted almond and cookies and cream icecream, with a maraschino cherry on top.  You will sit down at a wooden table with tons of happy screaming children around you.  You will enjoy.

You will notice all the ethnic icecreams it also serves because of its location in the SGV: lychee, mango, taro.  And then you won't mind as much that you just paid $5 for two scoops of icecream.

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