Sav Dining: Leopold’s pumpkin spice ice cream worth a try

Photo by Jake Harding

Written by Grace Baines

Even as the days get colder and colder (and occasionally frigid), some of us simply refuse to give up summer. As a true sweater-weather-enthusiast, I did not expect to be one of those people. I was wrong. The reason for this hiccup in my Northeastern psyche can be linked to one thing: Leopold’s Ice Cream. Any ice cream store that accepts SCAD Cash is my kind of place and I was seriously lamenting the idea that one day soon it was going to be too cold to enjoy their treats without looking like a lunatic. Fortunately, salvation came in the form of seasonal flavors and a promise to remain open almost every day of the year, which is all the excuse this ice cream lover needs.

I decided to indulge my ice cream habit while remaining true to my love for fall weather by trying their pumpkin spice flavor. It tasted like a mix of pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie, just really cold and with ice cream’s texture. I have to say, because Leopold’s usual flavors are usually exceptionally good, I was kind of disappointed. It was OK, but not the explosion of Thanksgiving/Halloween/ “This is America and we know pie” vibe that I was expecting. The flavor was fine — it produced a small buzz of fall fervor — but I expected more. It kind of left me saying, “Well that was good, but honestly, I would have preferred a slice of pumpkin pie.”

However, this is no criticism to Leopold’s Ice Cream! The place makes a perfect after study snack due to its proximity to the library and I’ve never been anywhere close to disappointed with either service or food. The atmosphere itself gives a distinct nostalgic and “diner-y” feel and makes you wish Elvis was playing on their in-house jukebox. There is occasionally a huge line, but with the peak season winding down, that shouldn’t be an issue anymore.

This Sav Diner gives Leopold’s an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars for Leopold’s Ice Cream and a 3 out of 5 for their pumpkin spice ice cream. To give Leopold’s a try for yourself, head to 212 E. Broughton St. right across from the Jen Library.