Bubble Waffles, Gelato and More Cool Treats

I scream! You scream! We ALL scream for ice cream! July in Kansas is the perfect time to enjoy this luscious, creamy treat–and we’ve got you covered here in Emporia! We are your sweet treat summer destination, and here’s your handy guide:

Ruyi Asian Market & The Present Tea Shop, at 1019 Commercial Street, is home to  Bubble Waffle Ice Cream. Bubble Waffles are classic Hong Kong snacks. At Ruyi, they’re made fresh to order using a traditional Hong Kong recipe to make sure each one is perfectly puffy and crunchy, then filled with creamy ice cream and decadent toppings for a unique treat. 

Choose from an array of offerings, like The Corky, filled with chocolate and vanilla ice cream topped with pecans, chocolate toffee, and chocolate pocky and covered in Nutella  and hot caramel syrup. Or perhaps The Little Tokyo is more your style, with a double serving of mocha ice cream topped with Ruyi’s homemade red bean paste and whipped cream. Matcha pocky brings it all together. And The Bethany is always popular: chocolate and mint ice cream topped with rich chocolate chunks, whipped cream, hot caramel, and hot chocolate syrup, and Oreo pocky for the final touch.

Ruyi is open from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Contact them at (620) 366-1609, find them on Facebook, or visit their website at ruyimarket.com. 

Next stop: Italy. Well, a taste of Italy, that is, at The Sweet Granada, 803 Commercial St. This is as close as you can get to a traditional Italian gelato experience without crossing the big pond–right down to the imported polka-dot cups (small, medium, and large) and the flat wooden paddle spoons. Since gelato is richer, denser, and silkier than American ice cream, it’s eaten with those funny little wooden paddles.

There are generally five or six favorite flavors available, with two to three new or seasonal flavors that change weekly. Expect to find some knock-your-socks-off choices like Madagascar Vanilla, Sicilian Pistachio, Argentine Sea Salt Caramel, and even New York Strawberry Cheesecake!

The entire crew at The Sweet Granada–where you’ll also find a mouthwatering array of handmade chocolates and confections–can help you pick the perfect sweet treat. The Sweet Granada is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Reach them by phone at 620-342-9600, visit their website at sweetgranada.com, or find them on Facebook.

Continue on down the road and you’ll find Ruthy’s Frutys at 22 Commercial St. If you’re looking for a fun ice cream shop with a large selection of ice cream treats, you can’t miss this place! From creamy shakes and smoothies to popsicles, banana splits, and Ruthy’s famous natural fruit waters, you’ll find sweet treats and snacks to suit any appetite. Oh, did we mention they have 22 different flavors of ice cream?

Ruthy’s Frutys brings a delightful south-of-the-border flavor to snacking. Try a Limonada Especial, Licuada, or Escamocha for something new and different. Best-kept secret? Ruthy’s Fruty Tacos! Riquísimo delicioso is the perfect description.

Ruthy’s Frutys is open 3:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. on Fridays, 3:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. on Saturdays, and 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sundays. Find them on Facebook or call 620-208-9668.

A round-up of local ice cream sweet spots just wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Braum’s. According to the history of Braum’s, it all began in Emporia, Kansas in 1933 with a butter plant, milk processing was later added and in 1940 the business expanded to include ice cream. From their famous ice cream sundaes and cones to shakes, malts, mixes, and sherbet freezes, Braum’s is the granddaddy of ice cream treats in our town. Braum’s uses the best locally-sourced ingredients and dairy that comes straight from their farm to create delectable ice cream. Stop by the counter or grab a cone at the drive-thru at either Emporia location (1026 W. Sixth Ave. and 2120 Industrial Rd.)

Braum’s is open seven days a week, 6:00 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. Reach them by phone at 620-343-2951 or 620-340-1080, visit their website at braums.com, or find them on Facebook.

While you’re here for your Emporia ice cream tasting adventure, check out some more uniquely Emporia businesses such as Trox Gallery and Gifts, The Dusty Trail Gift Shoppe, Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply and Vault Meats and Cheeses.

Visit Emporia is the official Visitor Information Center for Emporia offering brochures and maps of Emporia, surrounding areas, and the state of Kansas. Drop in to visit us at 719 Commercial St. in downtown Emporia. We’re open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. See the Visit Emporia website for more information or check us out on Facebook, and Instagram for more activities and events.

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