An Old Fashioned Ice Cream Experience at Lala's Creamery in Petaluma
Sometimes it seems like the days of the old fashioned ice cream parlor are a thing of the past, but then you run across a place like Petaluma's Lala's Creamery. Located right downtown on Petaluma Boulevard North (across from Starbucks Coffee), Lala's is a retro temple to all things ice cream, and it's definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. Heck, it's probably worth a trip up to Petaluma just to go there!
Step through Lala's Victorian façade and into their cool and clean ice cream parlor. In keeping with the exterior architecture, the indside of Lala's makes you feel like you've stepped back into the 1890s, with crisp white paintwork, marble tables, exposed brick walls, swiveling stools at the counter, and a black-and-white checked tile floor.
Step up to the counter and order your treats. Your choices, including a selection of seasonal ice cream flavors and a variety of soda fountain creations, are written on chalkboards. Lala's makes their ice cream in small batches on-site from local ingredients, and uses it in old school indulgences that you and your family probably have never had before (but your parents and grandparents might recognize some of them).
Current ice cream flavors include old standbys chocolate, vanilla, and rocky road, as well as cookie dough, bubblegum, grasshopper, tea+honey, rum raisin, chocolate raspberry, and coconut. Berry sorbet is also available for those looking for something sweet and cold and non-dairy.
Since we were celebrating on our last visit, we opted for something special: hot fudge and hot caramel sundaes (junior sizes, $4.25 each) and a Brown Cow ($5.50), which is an ice cream soda made with Coke, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate syrup. They also serve up banana splits ($6.50–$7.95), root beer floats ($5.50), milkshakes ($4.95–$6.25), and plain old scoops of ice cream ($2.75–$4.50), in case that's what you're after.
Lala's ice cream is fantastic, fresh, and flavorful, and really has that rich homemade taste. Prices at Lala's aren't exactly cheap, but quality is high and portions are huge—there's a reason our Brown Cow came with two spoons.
They also serve lunch in the form of hot dogs, savory crepes, soups, and salads. Coffee, tea, espresso drinks, hot chocolate, and sweet crepes are also available.
Lala's is a fantastic place for a special treat and a must-visit destination if you're in Petaluma and are in the mood for ice cream. They're open Tuesday–Thursday from noon–8 pm, Friday and Saturday from noon–9 pm, and Sunday from noon–8 pm. Find them at 134 Petaluma Boulevard North, between Western Avenue and Washington Street. Parking in the area can be difficult, especially on weekends, so your best bet is to look for a place up one block on Kentucky Street or in the free parking garage on Keller Street. Call Lala's at (707) 763-5252 or visit www.lalascreamery.com for more information.
