Ohio's best ice cream

2021 Ohio Farm Bureau Ice Cream Battle Top 10 Winners

July is National Ice Cream month and Ohio Farm Bureau once again hosted the annual Ohio Farm Bureau Ice Cream Battle. Voters took to Facebook and Instagram to nominate and then vote for their favorites.

Take a tour of Ohio and enjoy these delicious treats around the state.

Ohio's best ice cream

Honorable Mention* – Graeter’s Ice Cream, Hamilton County
Based in Cincinnati, Graeter’s was founded in 1870 by Louis C. Graeter. Since 1870, four generations of the Graeter family have remained committed to handcrafting only the most indulgent ice cream available. From humble beginnings serving ice cream from a cart in Cincinnati to a nationwide presence today, the family has held to ideals and processes of the founding generation. 

#10 Toft’s Dairy & Ice Cream, Erie County 3717 Venice Rd, Sandusky
Toft’s has become locally famous for its “One Quality” philosophy, which means Toft’s uses only the finest ingredients to produce the highest quality products and has continued through five generations. This family owned and operated dairy is now over 120 years old and is Ohio’s oldest dairy!

#9 Whip-n-Dip, Ashtabula County 4840 OH-534, Geneva-On-The-Lake
This popular lakeside stand has a new soft serve flavor of the week, as well as a large variety of other favorites, treats and ice cream cakes.

#8 Young’s Jersey Dairy, Greene County 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs
Young’s is a working dairy farm with a restaurant, homemade ice cream, farmstead cheese, miniature golf, driving range, batting cages and an animal petting area.  

#7 Handel’s Ice Cream, Mahoning County 3931 Handel’s Court, Youngstown
With locations around Ohio and beyond, Handel’s is based in Youngstown. Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is made fresh daily, one batch at a time, using its own exclusive recipes. Handel’s has been scooping award-winning ice cream since 1945.
 
#6 Jubie’s Creamery, Greene County 471 W Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd, Fairborn
Jubie’s ice cream is created one small batch at a time in order to provide unique, always-fresh flavors, among many other tasty treats. Come visit this one-stop frozen dessert shop to fulfill even the largest sweet tooth with the help of its incredible scoopers! 

#5 Cockeye Creamery, Trumbull County 1805 1/2, Parkman Rd , Warren
Cockeye Creamery delivers handcrafted, small batch, super-premium ice creams to the westside of Warren. Located not more than 500 feet from Cockeye’s flagship BBQ restaurant, Cockeye Creamery churns out fresh, always changing flavors.

#4 Dietsch Brothers Ice Cream, Hancock County 400 W Main Cross St, Findlay
Throughout its 75 years in business, one thing has always been apparent – Dietsch Brothers’ family members and employees are a big reason for their success, shown by the personal level of service provided to customers and the high quality fine chocolates and ice cream that are produced.

#3 Emma’s Frosty Kreme, Pike County, 5707 Beaver Pike, Beaver
Frosty Kreme was built in 1956 by Jim and Nancy Stone. Known for a wide variety of food, ice cream and pizza that melts in your mouth, they have a great community supporting it nonstop.

#2 Lil e’s Ice Cream, Union County 461 W Main St, Plain City
Lil e’s Ice Cream in Plain City began in 2018. In a few short years, this family owned/operated business has taken off. The goal of Lil e’s is to give back to the community while serving great ice cream, including the Mia Milkshake, which people drive from afar to get.

#1 Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl, Muskingum County 532 McIntire Ave, Zanesville
Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl has been a tradition in Zanesville since 1948. The ice cream is homemade, and roasted nuts are served fresh daily. With more than 30 seasonal flavors to choose from, you’ll definitely find a favorite, or two! Save room for dessert, of course, but plan on a bite to eat, as Tom’s also offers a menu full of old fashioned staples.

 

*Designated by the most write-in votes

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.
Mandy Way's avatar
Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
Ernie Welch's avatar
Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
Jared Hughes's avatar
Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.
Austin Heil's avatar
Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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