I scream, you scream, we all scream for... frozen desserts? That's right. As we bid farewell to national ice cream month, we say hello to a frozen feature. And while Redmond stresses over whether to permit, regulate or fingerprint its ice cream vendors, we've got our fingers all over frozen treat purveyors in Bend that keep us cool in the remainder of these hot days.
Tricerapops
Bend High School student Paris Draheim, 16, can be found riding her tricycle popsicle cart around Bend almost every day. You'll hear her before you see her, "Popsicles!" she sings in repetition, ringing a row of bells that decorate her cart. With so many teens struggling to find summer jobs, this young entrepreneur recognized an opportunity to learn how to run a business, manage sales and inventory and earn a high school credit. Tricerapops sells hand-made Mexican popsicles, or paletas, ordered from a family-owned business in Woodburn, Oregon. With mouth-watering real fruit flavors including watermelon, coconut, strawberry and mango - these treats are nutritious and tasty. Cream-based flavors include my personal favorite, Mexican chocolate, which, at less than 150 calories, puts ordinary Fudgesicles to shame. Tricerapops passes through local parks and downtown Bend from noon to 5 p.m. on sunny days.
Dakine Grindz
What would summer be without shaved ice? Those soft scoops of ice sweetened with flavors of strawberry, grape and lime - it's hard to think of anything more refreshing. Dakine Grinds, a Hawaiian shaved ice cart, serves up this summertime essential from noon to 6 p.m. daily as long as it's sunny. A favorite among teenagers, parents with small children - Dakine Grinds is reasonably priced and even offers a free toppings bar. If you're an ice cream fan, I recommend adding sweet cream to your cup, you won't be disappointed. No shirt, no shoes? No problem. Shaved ice is the perfect treat after a river float along the Deschutes and Dakine Grinds is conveniently located along Galveston Avenue in the Aspect Board Shop parking lot.
Frozen Yogurt
Remember TCBY, the early '90s holdover that didn't make it into the new millennium? Well, frozen yogurt has come a long way. Bend's latest frozen yogurt purveyors turn the power (and the toppings) over to the consumer. It's a formula that works for all ages, and with an endless variety of flavors (personal favorites include peanut butter, dulce de leche, Georgia peach, and pistachio) and toppings (including freshly cut fruit, cereal, chocolate, candy and more) there really is something for everyone.
Cuppa Yo
The first dedicated self-serve, by-the-ounce yogurt shop to open in Bend, Cuppa Yo celebrated its one year anniversary in June - complete with customer appreciation discounts and a rock climbing wall for kids. Small business owners could take a cue from the friendly, family-minded owners of Cuppa Yo who have built a community of "Yomies" - loyal Facebook fans, yogurt connoisseurs and, well, a lot of high school students. Cuppa Yo regularly sponsors events and hosts contests to fundraise for local families and schools, so naturally the Bend community has found a new hang out at Cuppa Yo. In fact, the Newport Avenue location has been so successful that Cuppa Yo recently opened a second location on the east side on 27th Street and will unveil their third location in Sisters in the near future.
Bend Yogurt Factory
Just a few weeks ago, frozen yogurt fans raised their spoons to celebrate downtown Bend's newest addition, Bend Yogurt Company. Recently refurbished, the BYF is spacious and bright, with a dedicated area for young children. Late hours and a prime downtown location add to its appeal. Like its predecessor Cuppa Yo, Bend Yogurt Factory uses Yo Cream product and offers a wide array of do-it-yourself frozen yogurt flavors and toppings. The local owners, who are also owners of Snap Fitness, aren't shy about health and fitness. The cashier station features free one week trial tokens for Snap Fitness, and a cooler offers vitamin enhanced beverages for those seeking a post-workout tonic. Bend Yogurt Factory is located on the corner of Franklin and Bond.
Honorable Mentions
A walk along Wall Street in Bend serves up two more options for frozen desserts. Powell's Candy Shop features gelato, best described as silky, smooth Italian ice cream with all the richness of the American stuff but typically richer in flavor and boasts fewer calories (chalk it up to smaller serving sizes). And what would a desserts article be without a mention of Goody's, Bend's original confections shop? Goody's offers hard ice cream in a variety of flavors and recently added self-serve frozen yogurt with a full do-it-yourself toppings bar to the menu at multiple locations including the downtown Bend, East side and Redmond stores.
