The Pretzel Belt
Lancaster County is located in the ‘Pretzel Belt’: nine counties in southeastern Pennsylvania responsible for producing 80% of pretzels consumed in the US. It’s not surprising when the first commercial pretzel bakery in America was opened in Lititz, PA, in 1861 by Julius Sturgis. And it doesn’t stop at pretzels. There are more than a dozen potato chip producers in the same area, with Good’s and Zerbe’s in Lancaster County itself.
With Lancaster County farmland providing the freshest ingredients, it’s no surprise that the area has produced some excellent creameries. Some are minutes from us at Twin Pine Manor B&B.
Fox Meadows
The journey from cow to cone at Fox Meadows Creamery (feature photo) in Ephrata is a short one—the cows live next door and the ice cream is hand-crafted on site. You can even watch!
Not only is it fresh, their ever-changing flavors reflect the freshest seasonal ingredients or Lancaster County favorites. Choose from options like their vine-ripened black raspberry, Lancaster County shoofly pie, or salted caramel pretzel. Don’t worry, if you prefer your ice cream traditional, they have farm-fresh versions of mint chocolate chip, cookies and cream, and other classics too.
Then choose how you want it served. Try a waffle cone made on site. Or a milkshake—regularly or roasted—with fresh milk. And of course, there’s the Baked Fox: you choose the outer shell like a chocolate chip cookie or a strawberry shortcake, and then your ice cream is hot pressed inside for a delectable blend of flavors.
Less than 5 minutes west of us at Twin Pine Manor B&B, it’s also a great lunch spot offering made-from-scratch salads, sandwiches, and burgers.
Udder Choice
Udder Choice has been an Ephrata staple since it opened in 1989 as a small ice cream shop, featuring homemade ice cream in a variety of rotating flavors. While their premises expanded and moved to a new location (one minute east of us on Highway 322), it still has the feel of an old-fashioned ice cream parlor with the walls adorned with antique ice cream scoops and classic signs. Their menu also features a variety of classic sundaes and splits for that down-home feel. You can also opt for an ice cream float or an extra-thick milkshake for added nostalgia.
Serving both lunch and dinner, you can start with one of their sandwiches off the grill and finish with dessert. There are even pies and cakes made in house as well!
Grecko’s
If you prefer Italian ice, Grecko’s in neighboring Lititz, PA, has you covered. Their flavors include a few classics like cherry or watermelon, with more adventurous options like cotton candy or root beer as well. You can get them served straight or as an ice shake (blended with soft serve ice cream).
Made locally in Lititz, Grecko’s also offers ice cream made from farm-to-table ingredients and in plenty of interesting seasonal flavors as well as their signature classic known as the “Taste of Lititz” made with Wilbur chocolate chips, Sturgis pretzel pieces, and Reese’s peanut butter.
Located a little over ten minutes from us in downtown Lititz, you can take a stroll down Main Street for its historic charm or see the ducks in Lititz Springs Park. There are many uniquely local shops to browse while you work up an appetite. Lititz has a diverse food scene with everything from cozy cafes to fine dining.
The Pretzel Hut
If soft serve ice cream is how you roll, then the Pretzel Hut is the best option for you. With unique, seasonal soft serve flavors like blackberry, cheesecake, or the two twisted together. You can also get your favorite candy bites ’whirled’ in. Their sundaes come in flavors like classic fudge brownie with alternatives like strawberry rhubarb crunch or “The Wiggly Worm,” which features gummy worms and Oreo cookies.
Oh, and of course, hand-rolled pretzels. You’d expect nothing else, given the name. And not just plain soft pretzels either, but garlic and parm, cinnamon sugar, and even glazed if you want a little salty with your sweet.
Located in a wooded glen a little over ten minutes north of us, you can get some food and sit outside to enjoy the summer weather. They have burgers, pretzel melts, tacos, and salads for lunch or dinner.
The Ice Cream Trail
Do you need a sweet treat but your day exploring has taken you farther afield? Discover Lancaster has an Ice Cream Trail featuring more than 30 ice cream shops throughout Lancaster County. Browse the list online or download the app from their website to get discounts at participating providers.
A Sweet Steal
At Twin Pine Manor B&B, we have a sweet treat of a different kind for you this summer. We’re offering 15% off a two-night midweek stay and 20% off three nights (Sunday through Thursday). See our promotions for more details.
If you’re staying with us, you don’t have to go far to find something sweet or salty to sample. In our game room, we keep an ever-changing variety of snacks on hand for whenever you feel peckish. You may even find some local favorites. And we’re minutes away from some of the best ice cream in the county. What could be sweeter?
