The origin of ice cream is as complex and magical as the delicious treat itself. While no specific date or inventor has ever been credited for the discovery, tales of ice cream are known to reach back as far as the 2nd century B.C. That’s a long time in existence for such an iconic dessert! Nowadays, approximately 154 billion liters of ice cream are eaten annually worldwide, and for the Yakima community, there are plenty of ice cream shops in the area contributing to that consumption.
Of course, ice cream isn’t the only sweet treat to cool off with that’s been around for a long time. Yogurt, for instance, was believed to be invented in Mesopotamia about 5000 B.C. and has been enjoyed all around the world since that time. And just like with ice cream, there are plenty of yogurt shops in our Yakima community as well, so that we may enjoy the cold dessert ourselves.
La Michoacana Ice Cream
1112 E Nob Hill Blvd., Suite 108, Yakima
The Andrade family currently offers homemade ice cream inspired by Mexico at their La Michoacana Ice Cream shop. After moving to the area, the family was surprised by how many people they knew who missed Mexico, particularly their delicious foods and traditions. In an effort to bring part of home back to the people they knew, they opened La Michoacana Ice Cream, where people can go and enjoy authentic Mexican ice cream, frozen fruit bars, ice cream nachos, fruit bowls, and so much more!
Icy Tai
2706 W Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima
Offering ice cream with a literal twist to the Yakima community is Icy Tai on West Nob Hill Boulevard. Icy Tai creates rolled ice cream masterpieces with decadent toppings in several different combinations. This unique little shop is the only one of its kind in the Valley area, offering a rolled ice cream experience to the community. Aside from ice cream, this sweet shop also offers smoothies, teas, and boba.
Glaciers Frozen Yogurt
4040 Terrace Heights Dr, Yakima
Established in 2012, Glaciers Frozen Yogurt started in Yakima as a froyo shop, but over the years, they have grown to include many more options, such as coffee and food items. Their yogurt is still just as yummy as ever, though, and they offer weekly promotions that they have become quite famous for.
One such promotion is Mustache Monday, where if you come in with a natural or even fake mustache, you get 10% off. On Wednesday, they run the double punch promotion and every 3rd Friday of the month, the cast from “Once Upon a Birthday Party” is in the shop from 5 until 7 p.m. And of course, everyone loves their daily lunch special where you can get either chili or soup, cornbread, an eight-ounce yogurt, and a drink, all for $8.99!
Yo Yakima
2401 S 1st St Suite 100, Yakima
A Yakima classic when it comes to frozen yogurt since 2011 is Yo Yakima on South First Street. Currently, they are open at the Valley Mall of Union Gap daily starting at 11 a.m. offering 12 rotating flavors of yogurt along with over 90 toppings to choose from, including fresh fruits, candies, nuts, and syrups.
But wait! Their variety goes even further with non-fat, low fat, gluten-free, and sugar-free options available as well. Stop on in and treat yourself to their bountiful yogurt options!
Yogurt Shack
110 S 72nd Ave Suite 100, Yakima
Voted best frozen yogurt for 2021 and received the Readers’ Choice Awards of 2021 from the Yakima Herald-Republic is Yakima’s very own Yogurt Shack. It was actually their third time winning the award, as they had previously won it in 2017 and 2018.
With 12 rotating flavors, a wide variety of toppings, and sugar-free options, it’s no wonder they’ve won the award as many times as they have. Try them out for yourself and see if they’ve got your vote!
It’s quite refreshing for our Yakima community to have so many choices for sweet treats that help beat the heat. Whether you go with ice cream or yogurt, these shops will definitely cool you off!
