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Sparky's Homemade Ice Cream
Category: Food Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt [Edit]
21 S 9th StColumbia, MO 65201
(573) 443-7400
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:30 am - 11 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Parking:
- Street
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
48 reviews for Sparky's Homemade Ice Cream
Review Highlights
"The lavender and honey is also perfect."
(in 5 reviews)
"I would suggest the pineapple upside down cake ice cream."
(in 2 reviews)
"...use baked goods from nearby Uprise Bakery is a plus - gotta..."
(in 3 reviews)
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48 reviews in English
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Review from Justin F.
Columbia, MO
2/2/2012
Delicious every time...can't say much more because the entire world should know this by now!!!
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Review from Chelsea B.
Saint Louis, MO
1/15/2012
When in Columbia, stop at Sparky's. They serve up delicious, unique, homemade flavors and even offer their milkshakes and floats with alcohol. Flavors like cake batter, carrot cake, lavendar honey, and pineapple upside down cake exist next to your standard chocolate, cookies and cream, and raspberry-type flavors. If you're not sure what you want, ask for a sample!
Sparky's is pretty much always packed, and it's great to enjoy while walking around downtown Columbia in the summer. Once I saw the most wonderful old lady order a huge brownie sundae (the brownies are made at Uprise Bakery, what's better than that?) that looked truly magnificent, and she tackled it like a champ. This is a place where you can order something different each time and still want to come back and try something else.
Plus, best bathroom in Columbia.Listed in: Oh Columbia!
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Review from Catherine R.
Columbia, MO
8/26/2011
It's okay - I got sorbet and it was really grainy, lots of seeds, and not sweet enough. Homemade is nice, but it's better when it doesn't taste like I could have made it with a $40 ice cream maker.
I haven't personally had the ice cream, but I hear it's pretty good.
They give you a free kid scoop with the purchase of a regular ice cream, and they honor that for dogs, too! -
Review from VaLynda H.
Columbia, MO
1/22/2012
My favorite ice cream. Ever. I won't move out of Columbia because I will never find another Sparky's. The Pineapple Upside Down Cake ice cream is as amazing as the local art on display!!!!
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Review from Desola O.
Auburn, AL
12/25/2011
Hmmmmm.....Sparky's is so good. The Green Tea is my favorite flavor. I spent a lot of time here in the Summer of 2010. I studied all day and took a Sparky's break in the evenings. I moved from Columbia last year and Sparky's is one of my best memories!
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Review from Kathy D.
Houston, TX
8/9/2011
Every time I walk in, I'm faced with the difficult task of figuring out what flavors I want. I always ask for a couple samples of flavors that sounds intriguing, then end up getting half-and-half: one old favorite (honey lavender or ghirardelli and les bourgeois), one new flavor.
Their ice cream is creamy, delicious, and actually tastes like what it's supposed to (try the carrot cake!). I've noticed that their ice cream has a slightly different texture from most. It's a bit softer/thicker.
Adults can also get a number of alcoholic treats while they're there. I didn't think I would ever like Guinness, but 20 ounces with a scoop of ice cream is surprisingly refreshing/tasty.
The shop also has a playful feel to it. There are a lot of colors and the walls are decked with somewhat bizarre paintings. It's a great place to catch up with friends or show out-of-town visitors! -
Review from Mary M.
Bellingham, WA
1/8/2012
Sorry I really wanted to like this place. Maybe their cooler wasn't working the day I was there because the ice cream was basically melting in the cooler. The flavors are creative, and the people I was with seemed to like it.
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Review from Erika K.
7/18/2011
Sparky's is hands down the best ice cream in Columbia. My all time favorite flavor is their Lavander Honey, but I also love their fruit flavors, specifically blueberry and raspberry. They use real fruit and flavorings, nothing artificial, and you can tell. They also use Uprise Bakery cookies and brownies for some of their flavors, which I love because Uprise is another one of my favorite Columbia businesses.
You can also get alcohol spiked milkshakes and floats, which I surprisingly have never tried (I can't believe it myself...). They now have a freezer with pre-packed pints and quarts, so you can just pop and pick up some to take home.
Sparky's is a must-stop when ever I am back in Columbia. -
Review from Kelly R.
Columbia, MO
11/14/2011
Great ice cream! A little pricy but they have to be to make it homemade. It's delicious. I highly recommend both the cookies and cream and the salted carmel. They taste amazing seperate or together!
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Review from Liz G.
Saint Louis, MO
5/27/2011
When you've got an ice cream urge you need to fix, forget the others and go to Sparky's. There's always something different in the cooler and they offer as many taste samples as you'd like to make your decision on which flavor to choose. The fact that they use baked goods from nearby Uprise Bakery is a plus - gotta love supporting other local busineses.
Their best flavor is the honey and lavender. I'll never forget when a roommate of mine during my Mizzou days bought a pint of it and let me try. It's light, sweet and the lavender isn't too overwhelming. The only stinker is when the sidewalk seating is full. -
Review from Nick A.
Columbia, MO
10/4/2011
Man up, get the lavender honey.
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Review from susan h.
Shawnee Mission, KS
7/17/2011
I would come back again although I was comparing it to Glace (by Christopher Elbow) in KC, Mo and it isn't quite as good. In KC I would order the Lavender and the Venezuelan Spiced Chocolate. For comparison at Sparky's we got the Lavender Honey and the Jalapeno Chocolate, the Jalapeno Chocolate just wasn't that spicy/hot and I wished the Lavender Honey, while good, would have had a stronger flavor of Lavender, although the Honey is a nice addition! The texture is a little random too. In some places it's thin and icy like ice milk and in others is kind of hard, not as consistently creamy as it could be. Still, it's way better and more interesting than most ice cream places.
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Review from Alisson H.
Columbia, MO
2/17/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Hands down the most awesome "mom and pop" college student run ice cream shop in downtown Columbia where all the action is at. Prices are decent, has funky but funny decor...check out the bathroom as it's got old school stuff in it that is a trip to look at, homemade flavors that constantly change....you can also suggest a flavor you would want to see and they will make it, and last but not least they have an "adult menu" on a white board hanging on the wall where you can get liquor flavored anything (minus the fact you have to consume all and any liquor flavored items on the premises inside and not outside on the patio). Walked in here this afternoon for dessert after lunch down the block and go to talk to the owner about the funky decor on the walls and where he gets it from. Extremely nice staff and unlimited samples.
Downside is they close for a month or two at the beginning of the year while it's snowy and cold out and come back to open in March, BUT if you happen to have awesome 70 degree weather while they are closed they will open their doors during the warm weather. Never came across such a place before in any other place I lived and thinks this place will be around forever in this college town. Love this place and definitely recommend this place as I will always be a repeat customer. -
Review from Colin F.
7/1/2011
Best ice cream in Columbia. Everything is really good, especially the green tea ice cream. The service is great and I love the inside and outside seating. They are staying open more days too which is awesome.
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Review from Tracey S.
Huber Heights, OH
8/21/2011
Delicious homemade ice cream. Great staff that doesn't mind dishing out a few spoonfuls to sample. The cake batter was my favorite!! Wish I could've tried the White Russian. Sounds amazing!
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Review from Amanda P.
St Louis, MO
8/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Delicious homemade ice cream, the best of many places in Columbia. Unique flavors and friendly employees. I like the chocolate and cookies and cream.
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Review from Patty S.
8/4/2010 1 photo
Sparky's is an independently owned and operated ice cream parlor. They carry the most eccentric flavors and floats; like maple bacon and wine & chocolate. They also have the other great flavors that ice cream enthusiasts love.
They change their flavors around quite often, so you can always try something new when you go. If you are skeptical of a flavor, ask for a sample first.
You will have an experience you will never forget. -
Review from Sarah W.
Columbia, MO
2/22/2011
I love the non-typical flavors they have and the alcohol ice cream dishes. Its a staple of Columbia and must try for everyone. I definitely recommend getting out of your bubble and trying something different.
I had one experience where there ice cream was kind of weird like it was freezer burned but they were great and gave me a something else. -
Review from Tender B.
Columbia, MO
4/10/2010
This is the best ice cream place in downtown Columbia. It is delicious, and I believe it's local.
Some of the flavors are a bit bold (re jalapeno chocolate) but others are more tame. Make sure you try a sample of something before you get a whole cone of it.
I had the mango last night, and it was amazing. This place forms a line in the evening, be ready for that.
Also the crappy portraits on the north wall are hilarious. -
Review from Merce'de S.
Saint Louis, MO
6/11/2011
Good ice cream. Good prices. Good deal!
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Review from Christine N.
Rochester, MI
6/10/2011
There's really no place, in MO, like it. Great ice cream that is original and made in-shop. Grab a scoop or pick up a pint. They always have something new and delicious.
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Review from Drennen M.
Chicago, IL
6/23/2006
This place is yummy. The ice cream is delicious, and I like buying from a local business rather than Cold Stone down the street. They've also got alcoholic ice cream drink things that I've heard are quite good although I'm one year short of being able to try them.
Plus, what other ice cream place has a white resin bulldog tethered to the tree outside?Listed in: Top CoMO Restaurants
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Review from Eve C.
10/20/2008
Sparky's is a new addition to "The District," as CoMo has named the downtown area. At least new since my last visit to my alma mater. And man, has Columbia been missing some homemade ice cream goodness! Shakey's is great, but there's something about getting actual ice cream flavors rather than mix-ins...
Sparky's definitely delivers with the homemade ice cream. I opted for the "Slightly Granola Cookie" flavor, and it was awesome! My mouth is drooling as I reminisce - it was THAT good!
Get drawn in by Sparky outside (the fake bulldog that looks incredibly real. And incredibly cute). Stay for the delicious homemade ice cream!Listed in: Mizzou-Rah!!
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Review from Annee T.
Santa Cruz, CA
3/31/2009
When it comes to ice cream downtown I'm aware of two options -- Sparky's and Coldstone's.
Judging simply on taste, Sparky's wins because it's not too rich or heavy. The flavors are more creative, and your teeth won't disintegrate afterward. Plus: alcoholic beverage ice cream floats. The best of childhood paired with the best of adulthood.
Any way you see it, Sparky's is divine. I had a scoop of peach ice cream last week and it was heavenly. Smooth, light, peachy-sweet and just right!
The lavender and honey is also perfect.
Go here now.Listed in: CoMo
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Review from Brant K.
Columbia, MO
8/1/2011 3 Check-ins Here
they put booze into ice cream and magic comes out.
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Review from Melissa A.
Boone, MO
10/20/2008
Sparky's is the perfect ice cream shop.
The ice cream is creamy, flavorful, not too rich, but rich enough. The staff is really laid back, friendly and all seem genuinely happy to work there. No matter how many flavors you ask to sample (I usually max out at 4 as to not be a complete pain) they never roll their eyes. The shop itself has a creative, unique feel to it, displaying local artists' work and always having at least a few yarn puppets on display (I've been told the owner collects them).
From lavender honey to carrot cake, their flavors are anything but run of the mill. I could eat their blueberry ice cream everyday (sadly I'm living in New York now, so my Sparky's fix is seldom).
Basically, a trip to Columbia is not complete until I've had my Sparky's fix. -
Review from Eileen P.
Saint Louis, MO
4/17/2011
What a fun funky place this is. We had dessert there last night after a crummy dinner at a fancy dinner place in the area. I had the sea salt dark chocolate and wish I lived closer to have it more often -- best ice cream I have ever had! The owner's collection of art is very unique and just makes you smile as you enjoy his wonderful ice cream. So glad it filled our bellies after the earlier experience.
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Review from Joshua B.
Denver, CO
Updated - 8/1/2009
I had a Guinness float with a scoop of hazelnut ice cream.
It was really good. The ice cream had great flavor. The atmosphere is quirky. And, where else can you get good ice cream and booze??1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/22/2009
Good ice cream. Mine wasn't as smooth as some, but it could have been sitting and refrozen. They… Read more »
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Review from Ms. F.
Columbia, MO
8/19/2009
I come here a lot. You don't have to do too much to convince me that it's time for Sparky's. It is *hands down* the BEST ice cream in Columbia. I don't get how any other place in town can stay open...maybe they have a drive through window? Otherwise, Sparky's is THE place to go for real, real, real ice cream.
Anyone who names their place of business after their dog is great, in my book.
my condolences to the family on Sparky-the-dog's passing -
Review from Brian M.
Collinsville, IL
4/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Was very surprised with this place, the flavors of ice cream are very unique and traditional. Some of the more exotic flavors are 21+, while they also allow you to customize your flavors by mixing two or more together in a bowl, cone, or even a milkshake.
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Review from Kelly L.
Skokie, IL
4/16/2010
So good, it kind of makes me wish I went to Mizzou.
The servers were very amiable and the place was clean.
I had the honey lavender. They just made it perfectly-- it tasted like decadence. They don't strain out the lavender flowers so I was a little surprised that the lavender flavor wasn't overpowering/bitter. The flavors were well balanced.
Also, I really appreciated the fact that Sparky's ice cream isn't overly heavy/rich.
When I come back to Columbia, I'll be sure to hit up this spot again :). -
Review from Anna D.
Columbia, MO
11/10/2010
I love that they partner with other local businesses to make their flavors. The Uprise cookie dough ice cream is AMAZING.
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Review from Andrea G.
Chicago, IL
8/23/2010
My husband loves this place, but I am not a fan. The ice cream is oddly soft and melty, all the time. Like the freezer isn't cold enough or something. They have a few good flavors, like cookies-n-cream and some sort of peach pie flavor I had once with chunks of graham cracker crust in it. But, the ice cream is WAY overpriced. It is something like 3 or 4 bucks for a scoop (they recently raised the prices). And I think it is totally obnoxious that they put the "small" (1 scoop) in the same cup as the "medium" (2 scoops)--like, here you go with your half-filled cup of ice cream! I think this is the only homemade ice cream place in CoMo which seems to be an excuse for them to just be so-so. I would not recommend.
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Review from Joshua H.
Columbia, MO
6/12/2010
I got a small sized carrot cake flavor just last night figuring that since I am a sucker for the real thing, the custard must be good was well. I was correct in my thoughts as the custard really was very good! It has that distinct carrot cake like tang to it that I thought might taste fake or artificial but they do a good job with this one. They even put small peices of walnuts and carrot shaving in the custard to really make it seem like carrot cake by taste and texture. Not bad for $2.50. Rivals anything I have had at Cold Stone and I love what they have as well.
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Review from Alison M.
Kansas City, MO
3/10/2008
Perhaps my review is skewed, as I ate here on the first warm day of spring, that day when anything tastes good, especially foods reminiscent of summer. Regardless, the ice cream was really good and tasted like homemade. They had interesting flavors like Carrot Cake and Green Tea, along with the standards. My Mint Chocolate was so tasty with hot fudge on top. They also had lots of toppings, and if I wasn't getting ready to drive 250 miles I would have tried one of the "adult treats," ice cream with alcohol. Plus, who doesn't love an ice cream shop associated with an adorable bulldog?
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Review from byron d.
Columbia, MO
6/9/2011
Best Ice Cream in Columbia. Always has new and interesting flavors. I recommend the carrot cake.
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Review from Zoe W.
San Francisco, CA
8/6/2007
I always mistake the white resin bulldog for a real bulldog. tasty ice cream
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Review from Justin B.
Bloomington, IL
5/17/2010
Great creamy ice cream with several fantastic flavors. I would suggest the pineapple upside down cake ice cream. They also serve several choices of alcohol and ice cream. I had a Guinness float with vanilla ice cream that was pretty good.
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Review from Lauren H.
Los Angeles, CA
6/25/2008 2 photos
I love ice cream. Especially home made ice cream. Definitely my favorite local shop I've visited in Downtown Columbia, MO. Sample all the flavors you like! I recommend the Les Bourgeons Red Wine and Ghirardelli (sounds strange, but is oh so good), Cinnamon, Pistachio, Carrot Cake, Pineapple Upside-down Cake, and Anonymous Mint Cookie. New concoctions made daily. They accept flavor requests and post them on a bulletin board in the shop. I like that someone suggested Doritos flavor. Awesome. I also like that they use ingredients from other local shops in their ice cream (LaKota Coffee ice cream, Uprise Bakery cookie dough ice cream). They also display art by local artists. When visiting Columbia, MO, definitely visit Sparky's!
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Review from Nick H.
Chicago, IL
9/1/2008
Probably my second favorite ice cream place ever.
