CINCINNATI – It's almost the end of winter, and that means it's time for soft-serve ice cream parlors to open their doors.
Here is a list of neighborhood places to take care of that sweet tooth.
Whipty-Do!
Joe and Kristen Fields opened Whipty-Do in May 2009. Their mutual love for soft-serve ice cream and sprinkles shows in the parlor. Whipty-Do's drive-thru opened for business Feb. 20. The walk-up window will open mid-March.
Where: 2529 U.S. Route 22, Maineville
Hours of operation: 1-9 p.m. daily
Information: www.whipty-do.com
Latonia Dairy Queen
This stand-alone seasonal DQ shack has served people in the Covington neighborhood of Latonia for as long as folks can remember. It typically opens for business the first week of March.
Where: 3220 Decoursey Ave., Latonia
Hours of operation: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Information: www.dairyqueen.com
Zip Dip
Chris and Sue Torbeck are the fourth owners of this soft-serve ice cream shop that opened in 1950. Zip Dip offers traditional cones, frozen yogurt and more menu items. It opens for business this year on March 5.
Where: 4050 Drew Ave., Green Township
Hours of operation: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Information: zip-dip.com
St. Bernard Dairy Queen
This neighborhood Dairy Queen has yet to announce its 2021 opening date.
Where: 4437 Vine St., St. Bernard
Hours of operation: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon-10 p.m. Sunday
Information: www.facebook.com/stbernard.dairyqueen
Flub’s Dari-ette
Flub's Dari-ette promises a little something for everyone. Mike and Ann Connaughton purchased the original Hamilton Flub’s in May 1965, and the ice cream parlor has been going strong ever since. There are now locations in Fairfield and Ross as well. The Hamilton location opens March 1. Dates for the Fairfield and Ross locations should be announced soon.
Where: 997 Eaton Ave., Hamilton; 539 Wessel Drive, Fairfield; 4065 Hamilton Cleves Road, Ross.
Hours of operation: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon-10 p.m. Sunday
Information: www.flubsicecream.com
Loveland Dairy Whip
The Loveland Dairy Whip opens for the season on Feb. 26. The local soft-serve shop has dished out cool treats since 1965.
Where: 611 W. Loveland Ave.
Hours of operation: 2-10 p.m. daily
Information: theldw.com
The Goody Shop
Keith and Ryan Weigland wanted to open their own ice cream parlor for years. Their parlor opens for business on Feb. 28.
Where: 2009 Springdale Road, Cincinnati
Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. drive-thru only
Information: www.facebook.com/goodyshopicecream
Silver Grove Dari Bar
The Dari Bar opened in this small Northern Kentucky river town in 1952. The soft-serve ice cream parlor opens on March 13.
Where: 5178 Mary Ingles Hwy., Silver Grove
Hours of operation: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Sunday
Information: www.facebook.com/silvergrovedaribar
Sprinkles Soft Serve & Tasty Treats
Sprinkles opened for the first time last summer. One fan of the season shop described its ice cream as "da bomb." Sprinkles opens for the season on March 17.
Where: 1861 Main St., Goshen
Hours of operation: To be announced
Information: sprinklesgoshen.com
Whippy Dip
This Northern Kentucky stand has served soft-serve ice cream for more than 13 years. It is open year-round and offers a full menu of food as well.
Where: 140 S. Main St., Crittenden
Hours of operation: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 2-9 p.m. Sunday
Information: www.facebook.com/Whippy-Dip
The Root Beer Stand
The Root Beer Stand opened as an A&W root beer stand in 1957 and remains a close-knit family operation today. It opens March 8.
Where: 11566 Reading Road, Sharonville
Hours of operation: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday
Information: www.therootbeerstand.com
Gold Top Dairy Bar
The Gold Top Dairy Bar serves cones and other treats for the season. It opens in March.
Where: 2810 Blue Rock Road, Northside
Hours of operation: Noon-10 p.m. daily
Information: goldtopdairybar.com
Dojo Gelato Northside
The Dojo Gelato's seasonal store in Northside will open on April 1 (no fooling!). The location serves the same popular flavors of handcrafted Italian-style ice creams, gelato soft serve and espresso beverages as its Findlay Market counterpart.
Where: 1735 Blue Rock Road, Northside
Hours of operation: 1:30-9:30 Tuesday-Sunday
Information: dojogelato.com
Putz’s Creamy Whip
A West Side tradition since 1938, the family-owned business is accepting job applications for the 2021 season. The Creamy Whip is set to open Monday, March 22.
Where: 2673 Putz Place, Cincinnati
Hours of operation: Typically 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday
Information: www.putzscreamywhip.com
Don’s Creamy Whip
Don Vonderhaar of Vonderhaar Catering opened his Creamy Whip in March 1976. The parlor has yet to announce an opening date.
Where: 1522 Market St., Reading
Hours of operation: 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday
Information: www.facebook.com/Dons-Creamy-Whip
Pendleton Parlor
Nick Ganim opened Pendleton's first soft-serve ice cream parlor and edible cookie dough shop in late 2018. Ganim's family owns the Mt. Washington Creamy Whip & Bakery and Old Milford ice cream parlor. The Pendleton store is open year-round.
Where: 1218 Broadway St., Pendleton
Hours of operation: Noon-10 p.m. Monday-Sunday
Information: www.facebook.com/pendletonparlor
Mt. Washington Creamy Whip & Bakery
Mt. Washington is a summer favorite on the East Side with its soft-serve ice cream, malts and shakes. The Creamy Whip is a "retirement business" for Mary Ganim, who worked at Procter & Gamble for 27 years.
Where: 2069 Beechmont Ave.
Information: www.facebook.com/mtwashcreamywhip
The Cone
This soft-serve staple in West Chester opens April 1.
Where: 6855 Tylersville Road, West Chester
Hours of operation: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon-10 p.m. Sunday
Information: www.thecone.com
Dari-Crest
This seasonal soft-serve stand is a staple in Covington's Latonia neighborhood. It is open for regular hours in partnership with the Bean Haus year-round.
Where: 3024 Madison Ave., Covington
Hours of operation: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
Information: www.facebook.com/Dari-Crest
Mr. Gene’s Dog House
This South Cumminsville ice cream shop serves soft-serve cones and sundaes, as well as hot dogs, sides and wings. The shop opened on Feb. 17.
Where: 3703 Beekman St.
Hours of operation: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
Information: mrgenesdoghouse.com
