Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
In Long Beach, outstandingly strong ice cream flavors from a growing NYC-based chain
Orange County doesn’t need another ice cream chain – we have plenty of compelling local, regional, and national options already – but if we were asked which we’d prefer to see a little closer than LA County, Van Leeuwen would be at or near the top of our list. Started in a NYC food truck back in 2008, the brand has spread across the United States through both scoop shops and beautifully colorful supermarket-ready pint containers filled with legitimately delicious ice cream.
The closest shop to Orange County is currently in Long Beach, at the 2nd & PCH shopping center. After trying a couple of their flavors – more out of curiosity than anything else – we were so impressed by their strong flavors and creamy texture that we had to come back and taste more.
Van Leeuwen’s selection is practically the definition of “small but mighty,” with outstandingly intense peanut butter brownie honeycomb, the densest-packed mint chip we’ve ever tasted, a delicious black cherry chip, and a deeply dark chocolate fudge brownie.
You’ll pay for the privilege of enjoying this ice cream, but when you find the flavor that speaks to your soul, will immediately dream of coming back for more. The Long Beach location also offers chocolate chip cookies, cookie sandwiches, sundaes, and milkshakes in addition to scoops in bowls or waffle cones. Display cases also show off their rainbow of colored pints, a memorably great design that appears to have run out of colors for their growing array of flavors.
Van Leeuwen has multiple shops across Los Angeles County, trucks available for events, and one shop opening in San Diego. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for an Orange County announcement, as this chain would make perfect sense for a mall or plaza with an open space. Until and unless that happens, we’ll make the drive to Long Beach (occasionally) to re-experience their flavors.
Stats
Price: $
Service: Counter
Open Since: 2023
Addresses
6420 E. Pacific Coast Hwy. Suite 140
Long Beach, CA 90803
718.701.1630
Instagram: @vanleeuwenicecream