Maggie Mudd: Ice Cream For Non-Wussies
By Lynda Nguyen
Staff Writer
Maggie Mudd ice cream is not for wussies. Visit the Bernal Heights ice
cream parlor and you will be greeted with a poster of a woman defiantly
sticking her tongue out. Furthermore, the eclectic crowd of customers
and staff are a further testament to the uniqueness of this place. Not
only does Maggie Mudd serve dairy-based ice cream, but its ice cream
comes in non-dairy bases, including coconut milk, soy milk, hazelnut
milk and almond milk to cater to non-vegans and vegans alike.
Their ice cream comes in wild flavors like Flyin’ Hawaiian and Butter Palooka.
They serve ice cream in scoops, vegan or regular waffle cones, and scrumptious
sundaes. A group of three friends and I decided to order three non-dairy single
servings for about $3 each. Since each single serving can be split into two flavors,
I could not resist sampling the vegan Raspberry Blackout and banana nut
flavors. Raspberry Blackout consists of chunks of brownie smothered in chocolate
ice cream with raspberry flavored swirls. Banananut featured large morsels of
walnuts surrounded by creamy banana-flavored ice cream. Another friend tried
the Tar Mack, which is a medley of peanut butter and chocolate ice cream. The
third person sampled peanut butter ice cream, which is thicker than the other
flavors but equally good. I liked the Raspberry Blackout the best. I found the
Banananut to be watery and not as dense as the other flavors, perhaps due to
its nut milk base.
The back of the store features bright, multi-colored plastic chairs and tables
for customers to relax in while enjoying their desserts. Their bright walls feature
posters advertising their unique offerings, including a catering service
that would be great for parties and school events. Besides advertisements,
they also display pictures of historic San Francisco, so you can see Bernal Heights
at the turn of the 20th century while enjoying your ice cream. My friends and
I milled around the stools in the front of the store, looking at the drawings
that visiting school kids had drawn to show their love of Maggie Mudd ice cream.
Besides ice cream, Maggie Mudd also features shakes, sherbets and various beverages
as other dessert options. One member in our group got a vegan vanilla shake (about
$4), which he enjoyed tremendously even though he is not vegan! Furthermore,
they also sell ice cream cakes for all occasions. The ice cream cakes come in
dairy and non-dairy options for both the ice cream and cake components. This
is probably the only place in the city where you can get a fully vegan ice cream
cake. As for decorations, they offer typical cartoon character cakes, with designs
ranging from a groovy VW bug to motorcycles with grey cream tail pipes spanning
the side of the cake. Some of the designs require ordering well in advance.
For a more creative and unique cake, you can order a photo cake, which features
any graphics file of your choice printed on the cake with edible ink. This is
a great option for friends’ birthdays and special occasions. There is even
free delivery of cake orders over $25. However, based on my experience in trying
to get a photo cake from them, be forewarned that the photo printer operates
haphazardly. Order well in advance and make backup plans in case of machine failure.
Furthermore, I was disappointed that they did not have the ice cream flavor I
requested in stock despite my advance order.
Maggie Mudd is an ideal hangout since they are open late and have indoor seating.
Whether you are curious to try ice cream flavors like mango and peppermint candy,
or you are hosting a party for lactose-intolerant or vegan friends, you can find
what you need at Maggie Mudd.
903 Cortland Ave.
641-5291
M-F 3-11 p.m.
Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sun 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Lynda Nguyen is a second-year pharmacy student.
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