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Sweet Republic
Category: Food Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt [Edit]
9160 E Shea BlvdScottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 248-6979
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 12 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 12 pm - 11 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
JC G. said: "Very charming restaurant in the courtyard of the Borgata. The inside is modern and clean. The server we had was very friendly. Food is very fresh and flavorful. Lots of gluten, nut, and dairy free options. We started with the…" read more »
271 reviews for Sweet Republic
Review Highlights
"My favorite favor is the Salted Butter Caramel."
(in 38 reviews)
"Mint chocolate chip with lots of real mint."
(in 14 reviews)
"Cashew brittle, almond brittle, bacon brittle."
(in 17 reviews)
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271 reviews in English
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Review from Jolly M.
Phoenix, AZ
2/2/2012
sweet republic has great homemade and interesting ice cream flavors!
the ice cream is such good quality!
i recommend this ice cream place to everyone!
my favorite menu item is the toffee banafi sundae!
the only disadvantage is i don't live close to the place -
Review from Andrew B.
2/4/2012
There's plenty of reviews on this place already, so I'll keep this short.
Tried the Toffee Banofi, and while it was delicious, I was not blown away. Perhaps my expectations of ice cream are a bit off kilter? The toffee buttercrunch was outstanding, and the sundae was beautifully constructed, but the ice cream itself was not as creamy as others than I've had, and texture is really important to me. Probably just a matter of personal taste. That said, their flavor selection is anything but boring, so if you are looking for something different than your average fair, Sweet Republic is the place to be. I tried a sample of their honey bleu cheese -- sweet at first, with a hint of sharpness in the finish. So good. That mixed with their Apple Pie would have been heaven, but alas I am now in Texas and cannot partake. Can't wait to go back! -
Review from Joanna L.
San Rafael, CA
1/25/2012
Bon Appetit named Sweet Republic a Top 10 Ice Cream Shop, so when I was in Phoenix, I went out of my way to pay them a visit. Thankfully, not too far out of my way.
I had high expectations because of all the accolades bestowed on this shop by foodies in the know. My first impression was not good. It's located in a strip mall, with rickety outdoor tables and chairs situated in between two trash cans. The appearance does improve once you get in the front door. It's decorated nicely and there were a couple teenagers at a table playing board games they got from the stash of games at the back of the shop. It had a nice vibe.
They rotate their flavors of ice cream and sorbet so you get what you get. Too bad the menu on the wall didn't match what was in the cases. I was disappointed they didn't have a chocolate peanut butter cup flavor. Instead, they had Peanut Butter Chip, which was churned peanuts with chocolate flakes. Nothing else looked appealing to me so that's what I ordered. The texture was weird- kind of icy, not creamy. There were little pieces of peanuts that didn't help matters and the teensy flakes of dark chocolate were not abundant enough to add to the flavor. It was altogether odd.
My sister had lemon sorbet and her review was, "Meh." We couldn't really figure out what was so great about this place. -
Review from Jessica P.
Phoenix, AZ
1/16/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Absolutely amazing. I love that their flavors change yet they keep some of the classics, like the real mint. It truly tastes like you're chewing on a mint leaf!
My first time here I had a two scooper of mint and lavender ice cream. Absolutely amazing. I promptly announced I wanted my birthday cake to be from there with their mint and lavender ice cream.
Sadly, that was months away at the time, and when my birthday came around, they weren't making the lavender anymore.
Hubs had a guiness and caramel two scooper... and he loved it too. This is just a great place for gourmet ice creams.
A cool note is that the labels for the ice creams will tell you if they are gluten free, dairy free, sugar free... -
Review from Marina M.
1/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
"Sweet dreams are made of this..."
Yes, this was one of the songs I hear playing while I was at Sweet Republic. Very appropriate, don't you think?
Moving on to the review....
When Bon Appetit names this place one of the ten best ice cream places in the country and I don't find it that impressing, I don't think that says much of the establishment. Instead, it pretty much shows how spoiled I am. Or maybe I'm more of a gelato person. I don't know. Their product is pretty damn good though. Very natural and homemade tasting. They also have very interesting flavors. I really loved my blue cheese and honey ice cream. It had the perfect amount of sweetness and the blue cheese flavor was not too overpowering. I love the cheese-honey combo and it's a combination that is not used often. I topped my ice cream with their super delicious bacon brittle. A treat with great addiction potential. The salted caramel ice cream was also pretty okay. Same with the peanut butter (?) ice cream.
Good but not quite drinking the punch on this one. I don't feel too bad about the 3 stars though since it's not like they need my 4 or 5 star review. -
Review from Jessica L.
Anaheim, CA
1/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
The ice cream here was pretty good. I forgot which flavor I got, but it was one of the more "popular" ones (top 5 on their list). But honestly, it just tasted like normal ice cream to me. Not quite worth its value, I guess.
What did win me over was the bacon brittle. Honestly, I don't care if you don't like bacon or you've given up bacon (why would you?). A small nibble of the bacon brittle will win you back. It's absolutely delicious and the sole reason for my four star review. -
Review from Mostashley S.
Phoenix, AZ
1/7/2012 9 Check-ins Here
Yay for fresh, homemade ice cream, lots of inventive and delicious flavors, and friendly service!
The negative is...once you've tasted Sweet Republic, grocery store ice cream is never going to do it for you again (sorry Ben and Jerry's!).
The many positives are...a variety of both classic and inventive new flavors, plus revolving seasonal delicacies (like peppermint ice cream, my favorite!!). Sundaes done right -- we've tried both the Toffee Banoffee and the Salted Caramel Hot Fudge Sundae, and they were both very strategically concocted. A scoop of ice cream, a layer of toppings, another scoop of ice cream, then more toppings. How great is that?! I'm thrilled that the "passionate scoopers" at Sweet Republic have solved the dilemma of toppings not being integrated into the ice cream beneath. The service is also great; we've always been welcomed into the shop with a friendly hello, and one time we bought a pint to go and they packed it with ice for us so it wouldn't melt on our drive home!
We will be sure to return for more time and time again. Go Sweet Republic! :) -
Review from Sara K.
Scottsdale, AZ
1/25/2012
Let me start by saying the ice cream is 5 stars. The ONLY reason I'm giving them 4 stars is because of the sorbet. When I noticed they had watermelon sorbet I was extremely excited. I asked for a sample before ordering and I'm glad I did. It was way too sweet! You could barely taste the watermelon, it literally just tasted like frozen sugar water. So, if you're going to order sorbet, please ask for a sample first to make sure it isn't too sweet for you!
On to the good stuff! Their ice cream is to die for. I usually get almond buttercrunch during the winter and sweet corn during the summer when it's available. My husband is a fan of the real mint chip (when they say REAL mint they mean it!) and the espresso ice creams. I've never had a bad experience at Sweet Republic, and the staff is always nice and helpful. I saw another review complaining about the serving size. I think the serving size is perfect. Yes, it's a small scoop, BUT it is super rich and I could never eat more than a single scoop.
If you're going there for the first time or want to try some of their more exotic flavors I suggest trying them first. They will literally let you try every flavor they have if you please. -
Review from Brook W.
Chandler, AZ
1/20/2012
Unbelievable! This is not just any ice cream... Sweet Republic is ice cream utopia! A friend took me here after dinner to celebrate my birthday. I had the Turtle Sundae with Salted Caramel Ice Cream and Salted Caramel Sauce. It was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I cannot wait to go back and try other things on the menu. I now have a serious Salted Caramel obsession because of this place!
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Review from nita m.
1/17/2012 1 photo
Sweet Republic is perfection! Amazing ice cream and amazing ice cream sundae combinations. The Salted Caramel ice cream is my favorite of the ice cream flavors, with perfect vanilla ice cream swirled with thick creamy caramel all balanced out by the tiniest hint of salt. Some artisan salted caramel ice creams I've had are too strong, where you can only have a few bites, but this one is perfect. The Toffee Banofi sundae is my favorite of the sundaes, with a wonderful combination of sweet and salty and crunchy and smooth. The sundae has plentiful amounts of their homemade almond brittle which is so amazing - deep toffee flavor with delicious pieces of almond. If you like almonds more than peanuts, like I do, you will find this brittle addicting (yes they sell it separately so you can take a bag or a few home). The salted caramel sauce covering the sundae is perfectly gooey and has a very wonderful rich caramel flavor that gets balanced out by the salt. The Campfire S'more sundae is a very cute idea but I found the flavors to be a little too heavily chocolate without anything lighter to balance it out. I get that adding a banana or caramel sauce detracts from the concept of a s'more but in the future I would order it with something like that.
Easily the best ice cream I've had in Arizona and a wonderful place to take your kids, friends, family, date any time of day. -
Review from Will B.
Scottsdale, AZ
11/29/2011
Yummy, yummy, yummy, yummy! Needless to say I love Sweet Republic. Needless to say, so do many others judging by the number of positive reviews that came before mine and I couldn't agree more.
Nestled in a small strip mall at a corner about less than a mile east of Shea Blvd, you first enter Sweet Republic with their numerous accolades and recognition displayed to your left as well as on a small monitor on your right; so you know many others have discovered and loved Sweet Republic as well. The interior is not huge. I'm guessing they have a capacity to seat about 20 to 25 people, but who cares, you come there for the goodies.
My faves are the chocolate sorbet and the coconut sorbet. The chocolate sorbet tastes deeply rich. I haven't tried all the flavors, but why even stop at the ice cream. They have plenty of other treats to try. Please do try the marshmallows and the almond toffee brittle. They have got to be among the best things I have ever eaten. They taste sweet and flavorful and taste fresh. The marshmallows are like no other. These are what marshmallows are supposed to taste like. The almond toffee brittle is easy to bite through and break.
If you crave something sweet, Sweet Republic is absolutely a must-visit. I might mention, I've seen supplies of their pint-sized desserts stocked at Whole Foods in Scottsdale as well. -
Review from Michelle A.
Phoenix, AZ
12/2/2011
It's hard to find real ice cream in the valley. There are hundreds, if not thousands of frozen yogurt spots, but real ice cream really is rare.
After reading some interesting articles on Sweet Republic, we finally decided to drive on down to Scottsdale and check it out.
It''s in a strip mall (of course), and the interior is pretty cute. Modern and clean.
Plenty of tables to enjoy your ice cream, and a few scattered outside.
Their ice creams are made in house, in small batches, with local, all natural ingredients.
I had the az mint..you can actually see the mint leaves.
It was different, but good. -
Review from Tasia T.
Scottsdale, AZ
1/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
Guess what I learned today? This ice cream shop, nay, ahem, this artisan cream of ice boutique, has a chef!
So, as of writing this review, there have been 259 others written that let everyone know that they have delicious ice cream. So I will keep mine to a minimum, their ice cream is good!
I ordered the Salted Caramel Hot Fudge Sundae. Generally, when one gets a hot fudge sundae you expect a scoop full of hot fudge that melts a bit of your ice cream. Well, here you get more of a lukewarm drizzle, as the hot fudge is in a condiment looking squreze bottle that is kept in what looks like a crock pot full of water. Okay, I get it, they don't want to ruin their artisan ice cream, but I would not classify what I ordered as a hot fudge sundae, but rather a "scoop of ice cream with a drizzle of fudge sauce". Anyhoo, I had the sundae topped with one of their three complimentary toppings, the sea salt flakes, (which were black so as they can see how much they are putting on) that made the sundae a little more special, followed by their house-made whipped cream. FYI, the other two complimentary toppings are rainbow sprinkles and EVOO.
I chose to enjoy the "scoop of ice cream with a drizzle of fudge sauce" in their freshly made waffle bowl that was super buttery, but delicious, but lets be honest, butter makes everything better.
The first half of my sundae was enjoyed in a super uncomfortable, yet modern looking chair. As my coccyx began to bruise, I moved onto their booth that looked like it had brail background along the back thinking I might be able to get a massage, but negative ghost rider, I couldn't tell it was brail :(
Anyway, good ice cream that you should experience at least once, so save up your money because it is expensive for frozen cream of ice. -
Review from Raymond K.
San Jose, CA
1/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great ice cream. I got the maple pecan and salted caramel.
I recommend that you ask for a sample before you actually get a scoop. I originally wanted to get the Real Mint Chip, but the girl behind the counter asked me if I wanted to taste it first. I said yes, and thank god she asked me, because it was like the title said, made from Real Mint. -
Review from Michael U.
Dublin, OH
With pastries and coffee now well covered and plenty interesting enough to put Phoenix on my culinary map the next question was how well they did Ice Cream, and coming from the self-proclaimed Ice Cream Capital of America I figured I might as well just go for the best to compare head-to-head with the Jeni's, Bi-Rite's, and Toscanini's of the world - in this case, Scottsdale's own Sweet Republic.
Rated by Bon Appetite as one of the nation's 10-best and focused on small batch artisan flavors just like the rest of the list Sweet Republic is tucked into a small strip mall off Shea Boulevard and while not simple to find the products are also available by the pint at Whole Foods. Not wanting a pint but rather to sample I made my way up the stairs to the small store to find it largely empty - a surprise since every parlor in Ohio is lined up out the door when it is 100 degrees out, but perhaps not surprising in Scottsdale where temperatures frequently reach such peaks. Entering the store I was greeted by the smell of sugar, vanilla, and that all-too-familiar scent of ice cream cones and within moments I was greeted by a young lady ready with sampling spoons.
Not wanting to be greedy but certainly wanting to sample a couple before buying in my first two tastes of Sweet Republic's Ice Cream would be Tres Leches, a dense and flavorful but largely one-dimensional vanilla and next Desert Honey, a lovely bite not dissimilar to a frozen liquid Bit-o-Honey. With easily twenty more flavors to taste and my server not seeming to mind my next two bites would prove memorable enough to commit to a double - one scoop of Honey Blue Cheese and the other of Salted Butter Caramel - for $4.25. Waiting for the scoops as I browsed the shops collection of cookies, candies, and even bacon brittle I thanked my server for her assistance and sitting down to enjoy my choices I was very pleased by one and blown away by the other.
Beginning first with the Salted Butter Caramel, a flavor I try everywhere, this dense concoction with pockets of liquid gold oozing from the otherwise milky sweet ice cream was exceptional and on par in all ways with that of Jeni's back home - potentially even better though a side-by-side would need to be done to be certain. Moving next to the Blue Cheese - easily a top 5 ice cream moment of all time with the sharp notes of the cheese aptly countered by the sweetness of the honey and the overall texture somewhere between frozen frosting and cheesecake; an absolute must try for anyone living in or visiting the area whether it is 100 degrees or not. -
Review from Lindsey F.
Scottsdale, AZ
9/27/2011
Yes, Sweet Republic is as good if not better than all 240 Yelp reviews say it is. The ice cream is creamy, it's light, it's fluffy, it's addicting and it's really just everything you think about in an ice cream. The other reviews explain the ice cream to the core, so I won't go too into detail about the flavors, but I will say that my two favorites for now are the chocolate brownie and of course, the salted Carmel. Put them together and it's definitely 'ice cream-you-scream-we-all-scream-for-Sweet Republic-ice cream-sweetness.'
Here's another special treat to Sweet Republic. Their heavenly toffee! It could be the best toffee I've ever had. In fact, I think I'm going to deem it the best toffee I've had to-date. The almond toffee is buttery, crunchy and soft all together. I put it on top of my salted Carmel ice cream, forgot about every calorie I was consuming and enjoyed sweet moments of Sweet Republic bliss. The bacon brittle intrigued me and I must say, I wasn't too eager to try it. But, after reading about it so often, I had to give it a whirl and was happily surprised! The bacon taste definitely overtakes the taste of the toffee making it taste like you are eating bacon with an infused taste of left-over syrup from your pancakes. Actually, I bet it would taste pretty good on top of waffles or pancakes!
So with that, I will end the 241st review of Sweet Republic. This is a friendly, fresh and delicious business located so randomly in the middle of a mini shopping complex off of Shea and I'm so proud that this local Scottsdale business has gotten so much recognition. Live and love local in the land of cacti! -
Review from Rachel R.
Scottsdale, AZ
11/1/2011
I can't give my full support to a place that reeks of snobbery and unsatisfactory ice cream. Don't get me wrong, it's DELICIOUS ice cream. But, instead of saying, "That hit the spot." afterwards, I (and my comrades) always end up saying something more like, "Well now I want a f*cking truckload of ice cream. Should I get the triple scoop? No wait, I can't afford it. Damn."
Here's how to remedy falling into the unsatisfied trap: Completely overdo it. By upgrading to an ice cream sandwich, or an entrée-sized sundae with three flavors of ice cream, toffee, cookie pieces, brownie bites, torched marshmallows, hot fudge sauce, and the kitchen sink, you'll not only leave satisfied (and slightly ill, in a good way) but you'll get to appreciate why the place constantly basks in its own glory. All of the toppings and ice creams are house made, gourmet and covered in glittering, artisan snob dust. When was the last time you had an artisan, snob-dusted blow torched marshmallow?
The verdict? Go big or don't go. -
Review from Marisa S.
12/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I hope I don't get lynched because I didn't really find the flavors all that great. I had the famous salted butter caramel. I am a fan of caramel and sea salt items. This scoop didn't had any saltiness and the ice cream felt like I was coating my whole mouth with a stick of butter. Not the most appealing taste. I had a taste of the Lime Basil sorbet. That was much better. I wish I had ordered that one instead, at least I wouldn't have felt nauseous.
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Review from Patricia N.
Scottsdale, AZ
1/25/2012
The ice cream is delicious but my review is more for the staff. They come across as rude and snobby.....is it asking to much for a greeting when you walk in the door even a slight smile?!?! The portion size is pathetic......the kid -sized scoops at other locations are bigger than their single scoop.
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Review from Don S.
9/6/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Oh wow!
Stop what you're doing right now. Just stop. Walk away. Get in your car and drive to Sweet Republic and order a Toffee Bonafi sundae. It will blow your mind.
Best. Sundae. I. Have. Ever. Eaten.
The contrast of flavors and textures...the salty sweet caramel...the crunchy toffee...the decadently rich ice cream...*drool*...this may be the best sundae you've ever eaten too.Listed in: Best in the Valley
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Review from Richard R.
Scottsdale, AZ
10/26/2011
Sweet Republic lives up to (and surpasses) its hype. I love ice cream. And I really love this ice cream.
In the mood for something sweet, my girlfriend and I decided to finally check the place out. We arrived around 6:30 on a Wednesday night. It was pretty empty at the time, which actually made the trip even better. The girl at the counter was really nice, and not only did she encourage us to try some samples, but she actually made recommendations of just things to give a quick try. Everything (even the flavor I didn't like) tastes incredibly fresh. She also brought the bowls out to us. A nice little touch of service.
We went with a pair of Sundaes; The toffee banofe (if it's the best ice cream Alton Brown has ever ate, then I had to give it a try) and the turtle. The toffee banofe deserves the title of best thing I've ever ate. Vanilla bean ice cream, fresh bananas, toffee whipped cream and caramel. It's salty-bitter-sweet goodness. If I could eat this everyday, I would. The turtle was also amazing. The chocolate, caramel, and nuts all mixed together perfectly. While not as good as the banofe, it was still phenomenal.
Sweet Republic's prices aren't exactly cheap, but your sweet tooth will thank you. If you're going to indulge, it might as well be this good. Worth every penny, and then some! -
Review from Steve G.
10/5/2011 1 photo
Made my first trip to Sweet Republic tonight.... Shared the butter toffee sundae with my lovely bride. It was the perfect size for two people to snack on.
The young lady behind the counter welcomed us into the shop warmly... And explained everything about the process.... How everything is handmade. This told us as soon as we walked in that this was a special place.
She also told us that Alton Brown from the Food TV channel will be back this month...always a fun thing.
I can't wait to go back!!! -
Review from Dave N.
Updated - 8/21/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Update. This is my favorite ice cream shop in the country. I've been around the block too. Having traveled all up and down the east coast, and having lived in Vegas and LA, I've seen my share of frozen yogurt, ice cream, gelato and whatnot.
I came in the other night and, once again, nothing short of spectacular.
Bacon ice cream is on the weekends!
I also happened to write a blog post because of my enthusiasm for Sweet Republic. SR even tweeted me back! Normally, I'd think nothing of it, because businesses tend to write me back on many different platforms, but this one stuck out in particular because I didn't tag them.
Clearly, they did a search for key terms, found me, and decided to write back and keep in touch.
This is business at it's best.
For you mobile users, here is my original review:
Your first Beatles song. Your first kiss. Your first....
All are seminal moments in life. Yelperazzi, today....I had a seminal moment. I went to Sweet Republic, and nearly Ice Creamed my pants.
The Mavs were on their way to winning the championship, while LeBron left his talents on ESPN.
SR had no line, since it was a quiet Sunday night. I was promptly greeted by a friendly scooper, and ordered Salted Butter Carmel in a cup...to go.
The scooper politely asked me if I would like it packed in ice. WHAT? ICE? FOR ME? It was like a gift sent upon me by the ice cream Gods. F*** Me, I'm Famous! Or at least I felt like it.
As I got home and unpacked my frozen treaty mctreat, I discovered a heavenly cup of deliciousness.
This really is the best ice cream...I have ever had. Little ribbons of caramel. Spikes of sea salt. Sweet creamy goodness. Thank God I worked out today.
I am coming back, because there are so many obscure flavors that piqued my interest...like Avocado Jalapeno and Honey Blue Cheese.
My life has been changed.
I will end this review with the pledge of allegiance.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the sweet republic for which it has, one scoop in a cup, indivisible, with flavors and spoons for all."
God Bless America. Eff Yeah!.Listed in: 50 Stars, Taking My Talents To…, One of a kind in AZ, LA Kids Must Do in…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/12/2011
Your first Beatles song. Your first kiss. Your first....
All are seminal moments in life. Yelperazzi,… Read more »
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Review from Matt S.
Surprise, AZ
12/21/2011
My girlfriend and I went to Sweet Republic after seeing the show on Food Network. I decided to see for myself if it was the best thing I ever ate. I wanted to keep an open mind and not let the hype influence me.
We ordered the Toffee Banoffi to see if we agreed. It's a wonderfully put together dessert and not too heavy, perfect for any time of year. The real whipped cream went together perfectly with the caramel and bananas and toffee and vanilla ice cream. Every bite was scrumptious and made you want to savor it. She wished there had been some kind of chocolate, but there's plenty of other desserts there to choose from. I probably wouldn't say it's the best dessert I've ever had, but it was definitely delicious.
The staff there was very friendly and outgoing and there's seating inside and out. There's also a little section of board games if you want to play while you eat. We played some Connect Four and relived our childhoods, lol. They offer free water to help wash down dessert, which is nice. After I had to wash my sticky hands and I was actually impressed by how nice the bathroom was and they have a really cool sink, so kudos for that too. :)
We'll definitely be back to try something else that I'm sure will be delicious also. -
Review from Lucia C.
Sweet Republic is a haven for frozen treat fiends. It is definitely one of the best ice cream parlors in the Valley, and according to the Food Network, creates one the Best Things I Ever Ate: Toffee Banofi sundae. Um, yes, I concur. I try to get a weekly sweet treat from Sweet Republic, and I am working on branching out from my favorite flavors to try all of their amazing creations.
The Bananas Foster ice cream is just fantastic - sweet, subtle flavor of banana in ice cream form. I do not usually care for banana-flavored foods, but this is just so tasty. Of course, I also LOVE the Salted Butter Caramel, the Madagascar Vanilla, and Belgian Chocolate. The sorbet flavors are outstanding - for a huge pick me up, try the Basil Lime; for just fruity deliciousness, get the Coconut and Strawberry. Sweet Republic also does interesting flavor rotations, including Honey Blue Cheese, Bacon, White Truffle, and other holiday themed flavors. You could try a different flavor every week!
Sweet Republic also has a menu full of amazing sundaes and ice cream creations. I love the ice cream sandwiches - my favorite flavor between two chocolate chip cookies - what could be better!?
Now, be warned that Sweet Republic is not to be considered inexpensive. They have small servings and they aren't cheap. But, the extra money is worth it for those who enjoy fresh ingredients and local charm. If you can't make it to Scottsdale, check them out on Twitter to find out where their Chevy truck might be headed next! -
Review from Eric L.
9/15/2011 2 Check-ins Here
The best ice cream I have ever had!
I know have a reason to move to Phoenix/Scottsdale and the reason is Sweet Republic. The menu is like a all star list of ice cream and it took me a while to make a decision of what to try beyond the obvious everything. I went for a classic with the Madagascar Vanilla and a unique flavor with the Honey Blue Cheese to try to get an idea of Sweet Republic's range. WOW, they blew me away.
The honey blue cheese was an oddly wonderful taste that I enjoy in its normal incarnation but found the ice cream version to be somehow better! The flavors were well developed and not over powering, especially the blue cheese which could have been a bully and ruined everything. A subtly savory sweet treat!
The Madagascar vanilla was nothing short of perfect, the flavor was dead on, texture was perfect and best of all the silky creaminess worked together to develop my first official ice cream addiction needing intervention. The iconic ice cream flavor has a new high mark set with this one.
I will without hesitation go out of my way to stop in at Sweet Republic anytime I am in the state of Arizona. My only request (dream) is that they have a tasting menu. I would gladly hand over $10-20+ for a well rounded spoonful of each flavor available.
Out of this world Sweet Republic, thank you for delivering the best culinary experience during my stay in Arizona -
Review from Rose A.
My family and u had a trip planned to Phoenix for months. Luckily 2 days before we left for Phoenix, I saw the Ice Creamy episode of The Best Thing I Ever Ate. The Toffee Bonafi (which was featured in the episode) is a MUST try!
The vanilla ice cream is so creamy & full of vanilla-flavor. The salted caramel is the perfect combination of salty & sweet. The almond brittle, which also perfectly salty & sweet, added a crunch factor in contrast to the soft banana. Include a little of everything on your spoon, along with some lightly sweetened whipped cream and you'll feel like you're in heaven.
I also had the pleasure of tasting my daughter's watermelon sorbet (which my husband said is the best watermelon sorbet he's ever had). My husband chose a scoop of Almond Buttercrunch and Belgian Chocolate in waffle cone. Both were just as creamy as the vanilla I had and just as delicious! Yup, you heard right, the watermelon sorbet had a creamy texture!
I will definitely go back the next time I'm in Phoenix! -
Review from Jacob B.
Wenham, MA
8/9/2011
Sweet Republic. It's a place that has been reviewed by tons of different newspapers and magazines. I had to go for a taste.
I arrived last evening at the Ice Cream joint. My GPS was slightly off, so for those of you looking to go in the future, just go North on 92nd from Shea. It will be right there.
There were a few people in the establishment, but it took less than two minutes for me to be the next in line. Let me tell you, these desserts looked fantastic.
The first thing that you see when you get in their ordering line is the Sorbet cabinet. Here is where you will find their delicious sorbets, ranging from exotic fruits to more simple flavors. I, however, was not here for the sorbet. I was here for their ice cream.
One of the most amazing things about this place is the innovative flavors they have. Most people prefer to get the Sweet and Salty Caramel Flavor, but I was in the mood for something more adventurous.
I ended up getting two scoops, mainly because of the price. One scoop is $2.95, and two scoops is $4.25... At least I can slightly justify paying for the two scoops, so that's what I chose.
I chose two of their very fun flavors. The first was their Honey Blue Cheese. Now, for those of you who just got turned off when you saw the flavor, fear not. This ice cream does not taste like the blue cheese that goes on salads. This is a much more creamy, subtle flavor. It tastes like honey, with a little bit of salt. Extremely delicious. I will certainly be having this flavor when I return.
The second flavor was, admittedly, much more of a challenge. I got a flavor called White Roses. Can you guess what it tastes like? That's right. Imagine, if you will, smelling a bouquet of roses. Now, imagine biting into it. That is exactly what you will get with this flavor. Now, I suggest that you try it, just to have the experience of tasting it, but I would be weary on purchasing a scoop of it. It's extremely strong, and I was unable to finish it.
All in all, it was a great experience. Helpful staff, lots of flavors, and an experience unlike anything other. I fully recommend this ice cream joint to all dessert connoisseurs and sweet tooths alike! -
Review from Diego S.
Scottsdale, AZ
7/28/2011
The only reason to give SR anything less than 5 stars would be if one was lactose intolerant.
Otherwise, prepare to loosen that belt a couple notches and practice those deep breathing exercises they taught you in your Lamaze classes as you gobble your way to Ice Cream Nirvana.
You'll also need a wheelbarrow and a pickup truck, and, someone to cart your bloated ass off the premises once you've "sampled" the various desserts.
Blinkers-the kind horses wear when racing- are also a good idea. Otherwise you'll find yourself ogling your fellow diners desserts, not wanting to wait for the next trip in to try them.
These desserts are so good, if you were a shark for example, you'd launch into an uncontrollable eating frenzy where you'd not only eat all the desserts, you'd eat the tables and chairs, the soda fountain, and your fellow patrons, perhaps even their vehicles.
This is an experience you should plan for, like a cruise or extended vacation.
So pack a bag, drive over to SR, and don't leave until the COPS film crew arrives to forcibly remove you from the premises. That is, if you dont have access to a pickup and wheelbarrow.
If you do eat the other diners, go for an insanity plea, blaming it on their ice cream being crazy good.
Diego -
Review from Ahriza M.
11/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
OhhhhhEmmmmGeeee!!! I totally heart this place!!!!
My friends and I came here for the very first time and...it's just...so...heavenly! I just had to try a scoop of the pineapple sorbet and coconut sorbet. It was pleasant. After my friends and I ate our 2 scoops we discovered that this place was actually featured on Best Thing I Ever Ate. First off, vanilla ice cream just sounds so plain and simple. Second, I am so-not into salted sweet stuff (salted butter caramel just doesn't sound pleasing to my taste buds). But we went ahead and ordered the Toffee Banofi Sundae which is consisted of double scoop vanilla bean with fresh bananas, toffee butter crunch, salted butter caramel and whipped cream (Alton Brown's recommendation - Food Network). You've got to put each little pieces of heaven in each spoon and savor the flavor! The combination of all these goodness is so perfectly put together. It's going to be hard to imagine eating ice cream else where. This place totally rocks!
I have to also admit that sometime it may seem that Yelpers might bring too much of a hype on some places, but you really never know unless you try. Even though some recommendations don't necessarily sound pleasing to your senses, you should have an open taste bud to try new things because you can discover something quite heavenly (it may shock you).
Try this place if you haven't...it's seriously delicious!!! -
Review from Becca C.
Phoenix, AZ
11/29/2011
Had their food truck ice cream, so yummy!
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Review from Tiffany A.
Laguna Niguel, CA
11/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
All I can say is "yum!"
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Review from Nydia A.
5/18/2011 5 Check-ins Here
FINALLY got to try this place, after I heard so many great things about it, and seeing it on the Food Network. First time I came was on a Monday a couple months back & they were closed. (SHAKING FIST AT YOU IN ANGER) But now they are open on Mondays.
Yesterday I went in wanting to try the honey blue cheese but they were out, determined to try something odd, I asked for the bacon ice cream- but they only have it on weekend. :(
So I ended up trying a few less-odd options, and you can definitely taste the pure simple yet delicious ingredients & quality in this ice cream. Very natural, full of flavor. I recommend the Strawberry.
I did have a taste of the bacon brittle which had a very strong bacon flavor, personally, I would not recommend it. But the ice cream and regular brittle was very good.
Can't wait to go back & try the horchata flavor. -
Review from Jackie B.
Scottsdale, AZ
7/22/2011
I don't normally have a sweet tooth...but I could come here every day! Yum! So happy to have been introduced to this place that is a mere 5 minutes from my house!
First, they let you try each flavor in typical Baskin Robbins fashion. So for those that want to TRY avacado/jalepeno but do not want a full scoop then you can go for it. I recommend the strawberry buttermilk and anything with caramel in it. Can't wait to go back! -
Review from Michael V.
Gilbert, AZ
6/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
My first visit to Sweet Republic and when I was done my first thought was, "why did I take so long to come here!?"
I sampled a few of their ice creams and let me tell you. All delicious. In particular the mint chip ice cream was delicious. It tastes like fresh mint because get this... it is!
Service was quick and friendly. We got in right before a rush and let me tell you, the staff were able to handle it like pros.
Each of their ice creams are homemade and you can just taste the love mixed into each one. You can tell how proud they are of their creations. I wont go into the kinds of ice cream they have but can tell you that whatever you choose, you will love.
Stop on down, took me 30 minutes to get there from Gilbert, and enjoy a cone or cup. Do yourself a favor and don't delay for 3 years like I did! -
Review from Nicole L.
8/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
The hot weather in AZ would make me want ice cream for dessert everyday - I mean, what is better than a warm summer night sitting outside with the breeze in your hair, and a spoon in one hand scarfing down a sundae? With all the positive reviews Sweet Republic was getting I knew it had to be one of my stops while I was in Phoenix.
I was surprised by the variety in flavors they offered, most of them sweetened with honey. I couldn't help comparing SR to my favorite ice creameries in San Francisco and I would say SR stood up well to them. After standing at the counter and annoyingly asking for 8 samples to try (the guys behind the counter was so patient with us which was super nice) I grew impressed with their local and creative flavors.
- Mint chocolate chip had the taste of real mint in the after taste, almost like a mojito
- Strawberry - pure strawberry as it should be
- Sweet corn - one of my favorite unique flavors, the only thing I wish was the corn bits were not as hard
- Salted butter caramel - everyones must order flavor which is exactly what you think it would taste like -
Review from Sarah D.
Phoenix, AZ
7/14/2011
Never a disappointment here! I will admit I haven't gone for some of the more "gourmet" flavors like anything with cheese or other savory ingredients. However, my summer favorites are a mix of any two fruity sorbets especially the melon or pineapple and the strawberry buttermilk when it's in the case. I recently went for a scoop of melon and a scoop of the lemon basil and it was the perfect treat after a miserably warm day. Some of my other favorites are the salted butter caramel and cinnamon. Don't forget the waffle cone with the surprise chocolate at the bottom!
Only bummer is they don't use animal free gelatin. Oh well, I don't really need those delicious and pillow-y looking marshmallows anyway. -
Review from Logie Z.
Tempe, AZ
4/2/2011
Ooh, Sweet Republic! I've read so many good things about their ice cream and the bar was set pretty high! We're walking around First Friday when we saw their groovy tangerine van.
My hubby got the Belgian Chocolate and my little guy couldn't resist the Butter Caramel. "This is so good!", he exclaimed. White Rose intrigued me. I love the smooth and creamy consistency with a touch of rose syrup.
It's worth the $3 for one scoop! -
Review from Todd P.
Maricopa, AZ
11/12/2011
Pricey but outstanding ice cream. Worth the money. Try the bacon brittle.
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Review from Meredith W.
Phoenix, AZ
11/6/2011 2 Check-ins Here
We went today after lunch. I got my usual of lime basil and real mint chip (which I love for the real mint leaves) and my hubby got chocolate guiness and four peaks hop knot. Best ice cream in Phoenix! The staff is always super nice. They give us ice bags to take our ice cream home :-) Love this place
