I like my ice cream. However, I like my flavored filled ice cream and quality definitely trumps quantity.
What are your ice cream “metrics”? Must be able to be bought off the big box shelf? Must be only bought from the local creamery? Must fill a bowl or one scoop will do you?
What brand is your go-to? What do you shy away from? Sugar or cake cone - or bowl only??
At the supermarket, I keep away from the “Frozen Dairy Desserts” and that sort of wording that indicates that it isn’t really ice cream.
That said, I am a huge fan of soft serve. (Grew up with Carvel)
My ice cream must have bits in it - preferably choccie bits but no nuts.
Only ice cream I buy is Stewart’s a local dairy/convenience store in upstate Ny.
Sugar cone if I go out for ice cream. Bowl when I am at home. One scoop only.
I eat either Ben and Jerry’s or Haagen Dazs. I really don’t eat all that much ice cream. My husband however loves it. I do like soft serve with colored sprinkled on occasion from Rita’s, or on the boardwalk. He thinks those pints are one serving, I usually just like a few bites and then it eventually gets freezer burn. When it comes to rich, sweet stuff, a bite or two is all I can handle.
I love ice cream - and you would have to count me as one of the purchasers of premium or super premium ice cream. Mr. Sabaray jokes that the more expensive it is, the more I like it - and he’s right. For home I buy HD or B&J’s, but nothing beats a trip to our local gelato shop. Candied lemon cardamom in a freshly made waffle cone. A once a week treat at most, but I’d rather have something really special occasionally than a cup of air and artificial ingredients more often.
When Mr. Sabaray and I were dating, we used to go to Steve’s and get the ice cream with mix-ins - that was so fun!
"What are your ice cream “metrics”? - I like very fat and not very sugary ice cream. The one matching my criteria the closest is Kirkland ice cream at Costco. They have only vanilla and I am surprised that being definite chocolate lover, I still prefer this ice cream over any other kind, including the best chocolate ice creams out there. I do not like to have a lot of “crap” in my ice cream though. Sorry, I did not mean to put down anybody who loves a lot of stuff added to their ice cream. I just call it “crap” because anything that is added to a good ice cream is diminishing the taste of the good ice cream for me. But, take it back somewhat, I love to add a bit of rum or cognac to my good ice cream, but I like to add it to any other sweats as well. I know that it would not be acceptable by many.
@MiamiDAP What you call “crap” IC, H calls “stupid” IC. His exception to Stupid IC is Butter Pecan. Otherwise it is straight vanilla for him.
Mochi ice cream, preferably Bubbies. Pre-portioned for better self-control. 
We are lucky enough to have three extraordinary ice cream makers nearby. They have wrecked my taste for store bought. One scoop straight up does me. The go to flavors are now either salted caramel or lavender.
However, when I am out and about on a really hot day-- I STILL love soft serve at Dairy Queen.
I always stock up on half gallons from the Berkey Creamery at PSU any time I am in State College. Presently have 6-7 containers in my fridge (from two separate trips in recent weeks) in various states of consumption.
As far as flavors, my go-tos are butter pecan, coffee, and coconut chip. Also like anything with a caramel swirl. I haven’t really cared much for chocolate since I was a kid, and I can’t abide mint in my ice cream. Didn’t learn to appreciate butter pecan until recently.
The creamier the better. And chocolate, chunks, streaks, bits…any chocolate.
I love a kid’s size Carvel soft serve sundae with chocolate sauce. But when I’m home, just a scoop of vanilla will do. Maybe with a splash of Kahlua or Amaretto on top!
I love ice cream and have it almost every night. My favorite is Chocolate caramel swirl from Trader Joes (which is very similar to gold medal ribbon from Baskin Robbins). I also LOVE Trader Joes Ultimate Chocolate. I have it in a bowl with whipped cream. If I go out for ice cream I prefer a sugar cone. Or if I am going “all out” a hot-fudge sundae. Or on a hot day I love soft serve (preferably chocolate vanilla swirl) in a cake cone.
Forgot to say I love Haagen Dazs. Especially the strawberry (and I don’t like any other brand of strawberry).
I enjoy many storebought brand ice creams…whichever’s on sale with the exception of Turkey Hill as the ones I tried tasted like eating bland nearly flavorless wax.
Favorite flavors tend to be strawberry, cherry, chocolate, vanilla…but I can also appreciate butter pecan(favorite of parents and older relatives).
When I do eat ice cream, usually eat a cup with 2-3 scoops. However, I would then go several days-2 weeks without eating any.
Do read the article if you really like ice cream - very interesting to read about the levels of “quality” - and I have to admit to noticing that some ice cream containers sort of feel light in weight - now I know why!
Back in the day I used to think Breyers was all that. Don’t buy it now. The only big box brand I seem to like is HOMEMADE brand - their chocolate chip can’t be beat!
My H is one who also thinks a pint is a single serving size. He knows better, but pretends he doesn’t!
I make peach ice cream to die for. Colorado peaches (a little-known specialty).
Besides that, I love Talenti… OMG it’s good; my all time fave is pistachio.
Haagen Dadz rum raisin, also up there.
I have been known to make major detours off the highway for a Dairy Queen Blizzard - plain strawberry, nothing else.
Always in a cup/bowl. I want my last taste to be of ice cream, not cone.
I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever had Dairy Queen though I’ve had soft serve.
If you have a couple of scoops of “premium” ice cream and next to it, a Dairy Queen concoction - might you really choose the DQ flavor wise over the premium? Or is DQ all in the toppings? - which sort of becomes a whole other animal…are the toppings overshadowing or covering up the ice cream flavor (or no flavor!)
I’m not particular as to brands, etc.
I can not stand sugar in coffee or iced coffee but my favorite ice cream flavor is coffee. Go figure.
I like my ice cream like I like my women…real cold and nutty.
m0minmd, "What you call “crap” IC, H calls “stupid” IC. His exception to Stupid IC is Butter Pecan. Otherwise it is straight vanilla for him. " - it is funny! I am glad that I not the only one. Actually “crap” and “stupid” are pretty close terms. You made my day!