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Home > Restaurants > The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

Critic's Pick Critics' Pick

65 Bayard St., New York, NY 10013
nr. Mott St.  See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-608-4170 Send to Phone

  • Price Range: $

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  • Reader Rating:

    6.0 out of 10

      |  

    5 Reviews | Write a Review

  • Cuisine: Chinese, Dessert / Ice Cream Shop
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Photo by Justin Beck

Official Website

chinatownicecreamfactory.com

Hours

Mon-Thu, 11am-10:30pm; Fri-Sun, 11am-11pm

Nearby Subway Stops

6, J, M, N, Q, R, W, Z at Canal St.

Prices

$3.75-$6.50

Payment Methods

Cash Only

Special Features

  • Great Desserts
  • Kid-Friendly
  • Take-Out
  • Teen Appeal

Alcohol

  • No Alcohol

Reservations

Not Accepted

Profile

When 31 flavors just can’t hold your interest anymore, seek out the cheerful pot-bellied dragon banner that marks the entrance to this Chinatown scoop shop, which has been drawing locals and tourists since 1978. The small, bright interior is decked with press clippings and colorful T-shirts for sale, as well as a menu board that demands a little re-orientation. Among the traditional flavors are a citrus-y, herbal green tea ice cream, an aromatic lychee sorbet, a nutty black sesame ice cream and the fresh green avocado; suddenly the exotic choices are vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. Those who like a little contrast can combine varieties from both sides of the board—say, ginger and peach—for a double-decker cone, or feast on a two- or three-scoop sundae, dressed with red bean sauce, lychee topping or chocolate syrup. — Sarah Breckenridge

Extra

For spur-of-the-moment birthday planning, Chinatown Ice Cream Factory sells readymade, three-layer ice cream cakes starting at $16.98. Custom cakes are also available.

Recommended Dishes

Lychee sorbet, $3.75

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6.0 "Mixed Reviews"
Average Reader Rating
on a Scale of 10		 Write Your Own Review
60% Would you go back?
50% Would you take a date?
75% Would you take kids?
0% Would you go on business?
0% Would you go on a special occasion?
Food: 7.2
Service: 5.8
Décor: 6.8
Value: 5.8

it's worth it to go

bluerose from 07974 | Posted on 8/7/08

Overall Rating: 7 (Recommended)
Food: 8
Service: 7
Décor: 5
Value: 7

i followed a crowd into this place. there was a long line, though it moved rather quickly. the lychee sorbet was great. the taste was clean, crisp, and not one of those lychee sorbets which taste like they mixed powder and water.

Best thing is the location.

EvieB from 11102 | Posted on 1/6/08

Overall Rating: 4 (Not Recommended)
Food: 2
Service: 4
Décor: 8
Value: 3

I was surprised to try their ice cream because I had heard how good it is. I had green tea and black sesame ice creams. The flavors were weak and barely reminiscent of what they were meant to convey. I definitely set out to like this place, but was very disappointed. Skip it and go to Haagen Dazs down the street, where the ice cream is creamy and smooth, not icy. (As much as I hate to suggest going to a chain...)

Read All 5 Reviews >>

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