Let’s all stop screaming and have some ice cream already

The temperature is still rising, and in Pittsburgh’s jungle of reflective concrete, glass… The temperature is still rising, and in Pittsburgh’s jungle of reflective concrete, glass and steel, the heat of the sun can make for long summer days. If sitting in front of a box fan in your apartment all day doesn’t sound like the best way to beat the heat, try sampling the city’s local flavor at one of its unique ice cream shops.

Fortunately, Pittsburgh is home to some of the most original and distinctive ice cream locales you could hope for. When it’s too hot to wander far from home, Oakland’s own Dave ‘ Andy’s is your go-to source for an ice-cold refresher.

You’ll smell the freshly made waffle cones from half a block away, and as it is a consistent favorite among Pitt students, you can expect to savor the sweet scent as you wait in a typically sizable line. Dave ‘ Andy’s offers a multitude of flavors, all of which are made on-site. Running the gamut from pistachio to oatmeal raisin cookie to the ever-popular birthday cake, there is truly something for everyone in Dave and Andy’s varied arsenal of original creations. At the bottom of every homemade cone is an M’M for the perfect finishing bite.

There is more to Pittsburgh than Oakland, however, and this includes ice cream possibilities. On the very edge of the Strip District, nestled in among the old mills and factories, sits an unassuming ice cream parlor named Klavon’s. Its retro decor is authentic right down to the hand-painted windows, as Klavon’s has been there for more than 80 years.

Opened as a pharmacy in 1923, it has since undergone some physical changes – but not many. Nearly the entire interior looks exactly as it did when it opened, including wooden bench seats, telephone booths and glass cases housing hundreds of old apothecary bottles. Even the stools lining the 16-foot, verde antiqua marble counter are originals from the former pharmacy’s days serving up sodas from the fountain.

The fountain itself remains in this historical parlor, which still sells classic drinks like the New York Egg Cream, a blend of milk, seltzer and chocolate (not unlike a carbonated Yoo-Hoo). Everything but the ice cream itself is made on-site, from the whipped cream to the sodas.

Even the ice cream, from Pittsburgh’s Reinhold’s Ice Cream, tastes of history; it’s the same ice cream that was served by James Klavon, the original owner. From a gumball machine that takes pennies to the art deco light fixtures, Klavon’s is an atmospheric and engaging piece of Pittsburgh’s history. A trip there is as much about the experience as the ice cream itself, and it’s one you won’t likely forget.

If you want a broader view of Pittsburgh while you cool off, take a trip on the Duquesne Incline up Mount Washington. Just off Grandview Avenue you’ll find Difiore’s, a little ice cream shop with a big view.

From the time he was a child, owner and operator Howard Todd knew that he wanted to someday own an ice cream parlor. Fifteen years ago, he realized his dream by opening Difiore’s in a vacant real estate office, and his passion for his business shows. You’re almost guaranteed to catch him there at some point during his 7-day workweek, and his enthusiasm for his shop is infectious. The secluded parlor caters mostly to the tourist crowd, and it’s easy to understand why: Just outside the front door is a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. You may be closer to the sun, but a cool mountaintop breeze and a hand-dipped cone make this trip as refreshing as any you may take. If the majestic view is too much relaxation for you, you can even get an energy spike at Granbrew, Todd’s recently opened gourmet coffee house next door. Whether you want to cool down or charge up, a visit up to Todd on Mount Washington will send you back down the incline satisfied.

But what if you’re baking in the summer heat and ice cream isn’t cool enough for you? Look no further than Mercurio’s Mulberry Creamery on Walnut Street. This Shadyside locale specializes in authentic gelato, with original flavors including chocolate marshmallow, Malibu Pineapple and Pink Panther (strawberry with chocolate candy pieces).

While traditional American ice cream gets its creaminess from butterfat, Mercurio’s gelato is a lean 7 percent fat. With only 20 percent air content (significantly less than ice cream), gelato is dense, creamy and explodes with flavor. After moving their family business to Pittsburgh from Kitanning, Pa., in 2006, the Mercurio’s gave it a classy and contemporary atmosphere with ceramic-tiled tables and walls adorned with their many well-deserved national awards. The Creamery is expanding to include a dessert shop in the back, and if it’s as enticing and successful as their gelato, Mercurio’s will be completely irresistible to anyone with a sweet tooth.

The summer heat in Pittsburgh is unavoidable, but with the mercury rising, you’ll have an excuse to indulge in one of the many parlors and creameries the city has to offer.