The Best Ice Cream in Northfield

It’s summer! This means a lot of amazing things, but most importantly it means that it is the perfect weather to indulge in some delicious ice cream! The great thing about Downtown Northfield is that it offers two amazing opportunities to support local businesses and get a nice sweet treat. These two businesses are Hogan Brothers and Blast Soft Serve. You may be wondering – which is better? Fear not, I have composed an argument for both spaces!

Blast Soft Serve

Blast Soft Serve (“the Blast”) is perfect for if you like to eat ice cream outside by the historic bridges of Northfield. It is located approximately an eight minute walk away from the Carleton College Sign. This makes it super convenient for a quick little day trip. The ice cream cones are also really affordable, costing around $2.50 a pop. The Blast also has slushies, Dole Whip, Sundaes, and Flurries (which are blended ice cream with toppings mixed in), dairy-free options, and shakes! 

One caveat of the Blast is that it only serves frozen treats, so you won’t be able to get a full meal here. This is definitely the place to go if you want a treat, but only a treat!

Hogan Brothers 

Hogan Brothers is the other great option to get ice cream! Hogan Brothers is a Hoagie café in Downtown Northfield. It also has an ice cream selection! While the Blast only offers chocolate, vanilla, and their weekly Dole Whip flavor, Hogan Brothers offers many different flavors of ice cream that you can choose from. Unlike the Blast, Hogan Brothers is a place where you can order lunch, dinner, and dessert. This makes it a perfect place to go if you are craving a full meal.  

Hogan Brothers also offers indoor seating, so if you want to enjoy some air conditioning on a hot summer day, this is a great place to do that! 

Honorable Mention: Culver’s

I would also like to award an Honorable Mention Award to Culver’s. Culver’s frozen custard is a great treat (and a midwestern classic). However, I cannot allow it to compete for the title of Best Ice Cream in Northfield because it is not technically ice cream. However, it is a great place to pick up a sweet treat in a pinch!

Main Differences 

All of these places offer delicious ice cream, and you truly can not go wrong with either! Yet, they do have a few concrete differences. The Blast specializes in soft-serve ice cream, and Hogan Brothers offers more of the home-made style. The Blast also does not have indoor seating, while Hogan Brothers does. 

My Personal Favorite

In my opinion, I really enjoy going to the Blast for ice cream! I am a big fan of sitting outside and enjoying the beautiful sunny weather, and I love that it is extremely affordable! The Blast is also only eight minutes away from campus, which makes it even more appealing! Check out Downtown Northfield to discover your favorite ice cream!

Around campus you’ll find Aleia (she/her/hers) competing on the varsity swim & dive team, dancing in Synchrony II, and crafting (Aleia also up-cycles clothes!). Her favorite spot on campus is the Gould Library (aka “the Libe”) – be sure to ask her which floor is her favorite!