Loard’s Ice Cream Is Back In Oakland
I was sitting at Heyma Coffee, a Yemini-owned coffee shop in Berkeley, mindlessly doom scrolling when I read something miraculous: Loard’s Ice Cream was back. Not only was it back, but it was open. The first thing I did in this situation was the only appropriate thing to do. I got off my ass and headed directly there to treat my girlfriend to a delicious scoop from lovely Loard’s.
The location on MacArthur Blvd in the Dimond District was a part of my childhood, and sadly closed down during the pandemic. But the East Bay’s love of Loard’s never left. Locations remained in nearby cities like Alameda, Orinda and Moraga. The original spot was shuttered and graffitied for four years.
However, there were signs of a return. When I watched Freaky Tales (a Quentin Taranatino-esque love letter to 1980s Oakland) I noticed Loard’s Ice Cream’s original Oakland location prominently featured in the film, and I had a feeling they were on the verge of a comeback.
And luckily for all of us, they were.
When I arrived, the line stretched out the door, and it appeared that people from all corners of the Bay Area seemed insistent on getting their own ice cold taste of Oakland history.
I like a little bit of contrast in my flavor profile, so I got a double scoop of Ube and Rocky Road. It was worth the wait and any potential weight I might gain from ingesting it. My girlfriend, who has a much more consistent palate than I do, got Peanut Butter Fudge and Pecan Praline.
To be honest, it’s hard to pick just one flavor when you’re there. Loard’s offers 45 different flavors of ice cream to satisfy even the most snooty of customers. If you’re not in the mood for ice cream, and want a real lunch, Loard’s has you covered with their adjacent sandwich shop Weslo’s.
Long before the Salesforce Tower dominated the skyline, little businesses like Loard’s thrived in the Bay Area. And while it may seem impossible to imagine a Bay Area without the influence of big tech and a sea of nameless startups that will sacrifice everything in the name of the next funding round, small businesses like Loard’s are what builds community and creates memories for years to come.
So next time you’re with a group of friends, and the summer heat has overtaken our seemingly ever present overcast, stop by Loard’s. Wait in line, get a scoop, or two, or three and understand why it has been the premier spot to get ice cream in the East Bay.
It’s what Anthony Bourdain would’ve done… or something.
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Howdy! My name is Katy Atchison and I'm an Associate Editor for Broke-Ass Stuart.
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