The Scoop in Martin City: The Scoop is located in Martin City and is linked to Martin City Pizza and the Coast to Coast Pub. While The Scoop is farther from STA, I can say it is well worth the trip. They make all their own ice cream and the flavors change periodically. I tried a scoop of the Snickster, a Snickers-inspired flavor that has chocolate, peanuts, pecans and caramel in it. It was very creamy and I could tell it was homemade. The staff was also super friendly and more than happy to let me take pictures of their establishment. The aesthetic of the store is great as well. Since it is outside I got a feel for the nightlife; there are string lights hanging, you can watch the train go by, and you get a view of all the restaurants in the area! 

 4 out of 5 stars 

Most popular flavor–the Snickster 

Betty Rae’s: With its delicious ice cream and trendy store, it’s no wonder Betty Rae’s has become such a popular ice cream shop. I was so excited to have an excuse to visit, and it did not disappoint. I went on a Saturday night and it was very busy, which is always a good indicator of the quality.  Because Betty Rae’s does not have a flavor similar to The Scoop’s Snickster, I opted for Cookie Dough. The cookie dough in it did not taste processed, and the ice cream portion tasted homemade. The feel of the store is cool as well. There are pictures of Kansas City lining the walls, and there is a photo booth located in the store. You can sit inside or outside depending on what your preference is. If you’re not in the mood for just plain ice cream, you can also order one of their ice cream cakes. The staff members were also very nice, accommodating and more than happy to let me try one or two different flavors.

4.5 out of 5 stars 

Most popular flavor–Brown Butter aka Butter Pecan

Summer Salt: I had heard good reviews about this store, but I had never visited before, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. The store itself is a cute walk-up window, and they had some special flavors listed on their menu; this is a unique standout that the other stores did not have. The ice cream flavor I tried was salted caramel. Since this is one of my favorite flavors, my standards were set extremely high. This version was terrific. It was creamy, and the sweet and salty flavors complemented each other well. The one thing I would criticize is that there really aren’t any good places to sit and enjoy the ice cream. Overall, however, the store is cute and the ice cream is delicious.

4 out of 5 stars 

Most popular flavor–Butter Cake