I would not call myself an ice cream snob. I have had (and enjoyed) all kinds of ice cream from the very costly to the least expensive. Anyone else remember when you could get a gallon of ice cream in a box? But I do have my favorite ice cream. Graeter’s chocolate chocolate chip ice cream is simply the best. However, when Bobby and I were in Cleveland on December 7, 2015, we had the opportunity to try Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream.
First of all, I had never heard of Mitchell’s before and wouldn’t have stopped if Bobby hadn’t insisted. But he had heard that Graeter’s would be competing with the likes of Mitchell’s. So based on that, my expectations were very high. You better be good if you are going to be competing against that creamy ice cream with a lot of butter fat.
The Mitchell’s in Ohio City is in a converted theater. The entrance is just like walking into a theater. Once inside the ice cream counter is where I imagine the concessions stand used to be. Right behind it was a huge glass wall. You can watch the staff make ice cream. It really is cool–and brave. They use Hartzler milk and Smith’s ice cream base. I guess it doesn’t matter how far away we are from Wayne County, we are always close to home.
I ordered a two dip dish, otherwise known as a taster’s duo. I, of course, had to order their double chocolate chunk ice cream to compare to Graeter’s. The second flavor I ordered was called E=MC2 in honor of the anniversary of the theory of relativity. (It was chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips and chocolate fudge.) A perfect choice for a chocoholic. Bobby’s choices were coconut and caramel sea salt ice cream. He really enjoyed the coconut ice cream.
So was it better than Graeter’s? I would have to say no. Don’t get me wrong, it is very good ice cream. I think Graeter’s is just a smidge better. The cost is comparable, too. If the two stores were side-by-side I would go to Graeter’s. Unless I wanted to enjoy the ambience of a theater turned into an ice cream gallery. Then it would be Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream, hands down.
