With the Fall season ramping up, people may start to head towards warm comfort foods. This shift often means people eat more pies, cakes and cookies, and less ice cream. While I do love my baked goods, ice cream has always been my all-time favorite food. When ice cream is considered a dessert option, “special” Fall flavors have been limited to pumpkin, apple cider/spice, or salted caramel. Though they are delicious, I have often found myself wanting more options. It is about time that we acknowledge the increasingly popular artisan ice cream shops that have broadened the spectrum of acceptable flavors, and allowed me to say HA! to all those who told me that ice cream was not real food.

San Francisco is blessed with ice cream shops that push the envelop and take risks when developing new flavors. Take Humphry Slocombe, Bi-Rite Creamery, and what is said to be the lovechild of the two, Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous, for example. Humphry Slocombe has been creating new flavors since 2008. Favorites include Secret Breakfast (literally, Bourbon and Corn Flakes) and Jesus Juice (Sorbet of Red Wine and Coke). Malted Dulce de Leche is a great choice for those truly craving comfort desserts! Bi-Rite Creamery, which is on the top of my must-try list, hosts less avant-garde flavors like Balsamic Strawberry, Brown Sugar with Ginger Caramel Swirl, and Roasted Banana. Possibly my new obsession, Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous, seems like just the right mix of both! Fall flavors like Sage ‘n’ Cider (with hard cider), Tres Leches, and Pralines and Cream can be found on certain days.

Not to worry, the Chicago area has places like Flamingo’s in Berwyn, and Village Creamery with locations in Skokie and Niles. Flamingo’s is known for its incredibly wide variety of flavors -some crazier than others. Village Creamery, also with ample flavor options, hovers around the more traditional, anything-sweet-goes philosphy.

Finally, our last stop: Molly Moon’s in Seattle. This place offers the most popular of the unconventional flavors (many found at the places listed above). Balsamic Strawberry, Honey Lavendar, and Rosemary Meyer Lemon are only a few of the flavors to grace its menu.

For those of you who prefer to keep it traditional, depending on the store and the day, you can still find that salted caramel or pumpkin spice at each of these locations.