30 ways to replace those Minnesota State Fair favorite cold treats

Even without the Dairy Building, there's no shortage of cool treats for these dog days of summer.

September 5, 2020 at 4:15PM

Cups, cones and pie à la mode.

921 Selby Av., St. Paul, 651-645-0227.

Drive-up soft-serve custard.

800 Excelsior Blvd., Excelsior, 952-470-0035.

Inventive flavors, such as gochujang brownie and tres leches with strawberry churros.

704 W. 22nd St., Mpls.

Waffle cones with housemade scoops.

1250 126th Av. NE., Blaine, 763-276-9972; 115 Village Center Drive, North Oaks, 651-340-6169.

The eight-scoop La La Palooza sundae.

2110 Eagle Creek Lane, Suite 200, Woodbury, 651-315-8985.

Floats made with Lift Bridge root beer or strawberry-balsamic soda, or a Bootstrap espresso milkshake.

490 S. Hamline Av., St. Paul, 651-330-7632.

Dipped soft-serve on a cake cone.

1197 N. Dale St., St. Paul, 651-488-4150.

Malts, shakes and cookies from Amy's Cupcake Shoppe in Hopkins.

The Block Food + Drink, 7007 Walker St., St. Louis Park; Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar, 3675 Minnehaha Av. S., Mpls.; Pub 819, 819 Mainstreet, Hopkins; Stanley's Northeast Bar Room, 2500 University Av. NE., Mpls.

Italian gelateria.

211 W. 7th St., St. Paul, 621-222-3476.

Vegan ice cream, served in scoops and with ice cream sandwiches using cookies from Positively 3rd Street Bakery in Duluth.

339 22nd Av. NE., Mpls., 763-205-0978.

Four to five flavors of gelato, sold in 8- and 16-oz. containers and well-made gelato sandwiches.

4367 Thomas Av. N., Mpls., 612-254-4354.

Build-your-own banana split.

1048 Rice St., St. Paul, 651-489-2422.

The famous fresh banana malt.

1440 E. Minnehaha Av., St. Paul, 651-776-3470.

Ice cream and waffles.

1509 NE. Marshall St., Mpls.

Flavors from the fair's Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop.

750 Grand Av., St. Paul, 651-293-1655; 4737 Cedar Av. S., Mpls., 612-722-2261; Potluck Food Hall, 1595 W. Hwy. 36, Roseville, 651-340-3978.

A wide range of flavors, from standards to novelties along the lines of black licorice and maple bacon.

1258 Moore Lake Drive E., Fridley, 763-572-2078.

Anything with cookie dough. And fries.

16725 County Road 24, Plymouth, 763-225-6682.

Surprising scoops, like sweet basil vanilla.

3146 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., 612-824-5252.

Dozens of flavors of paletas (Mexican-style frozen pops).

701 E. Lake St., Mpls., 612-886-3039, Also at 809 E. 7th St., St. Paul, and Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake St., Mpls.

Fun flavors, such as Cereal Killers and Thai Tea.

2743 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., 612-424-4668.

Malts and shakes, served by carhop.

4658 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park, 952-471-9383.

Italian water ices, novelties and, of course, scoops.

3352 Minnehaha Av. S., Mpls.

S'mores ice cream bars on a stick, grilled corn and avocado ice creams, through Sept. 6.

4552 Grand Av. S., Mpls., 612-354-3257; Rose Street Patisserie, 171 N. Snelling Av., St. Paul, 763-913-2980.

Pints from a walk-up door, plus "doggy" ice cream cups.

4754 Chicago Av. S., Mpls., 612-825-2021.

Nondairy treats on a stick.

Various farmers markets.

Joe's Brrr Bar, a spin on the DQ Dilly Bar.

4321 Upton Av. S., Mpls., 612-926-7916; 1007 W. Franklin Av., Mpls., 612-870-0065.

Vegan or dairy twist.

2211 E. Franklin Av., Mpls., 612-356-2195.

Chocolate-dipped ice cream bars, ice cream tacos and sorbet "freezie" pops.

Keg and Case Market, 928 W. 7th St., St. Paul.

Milkshakes made with cereal-infused soft-serve.

770 Grand Av., St. Paul, 651-478-4385.

Rolled ice cream, in a cup with colorful toppings.

298 W. University Av., St. Paul, 651-493-2254.

about the writers

about the writers

Sharyn Jackson

Reporter

Sharyn Jackson is a features reporter covering the Twin Cities' vibrant food and drink scene.

See More

Rick Nelson

Reporter

Rick Nelson joined the staff of the Star Tribune in 1998. He is a Twin Cities native, a University of Minnesota graduate and a James Beard Award winner. 

See More

More from Eat + Drink

card image

Deep-fried puffy tacos, dough ‘knots’ and s’mores ice cream sandwiches scored high on our list.

card image