Polly Ann Ice Cream, Sunset District, SF

Polly Ann Ice Cream is an institution of the Sunset District in San Francisco. Established in 1955, this ice cream parlor has been slinging scoops for over 60 years! So obviously I had to venture to the Outer Sunset to check this place out. Polly Ann's is tucked inside a residential neighborhood and has an unassuming store front. But don't be fooled by its exterior, as it's what's being served inside that counts.

Star Wars (left) and Sunset Sundae (right)

What I really liked about Polly Ann Ice Cream is the large variety on their flavors menu. With over 48 options, there's something for everyone. Also - pro tip, there is usually a Yelp Check In deal with Polly Ann's, which offers you a free cookie or waffle cone with your ice cream scoop! I ordered the Sunset Sundae, which is a vanilla base scoop with hot fudge, Oreos, and almonds inside. My wife got the Star Wars ice cream, which is a bright green ice cream consisting of mint and marshmallow.

While I appreciated the large variety of the flavors, I wasn't too impressed with what I ordered. The ice cream was good but wasn't anything exceptional. The flavors weren't very bold and didn't come across that strongly. However, as I continued to eat the ice cream it did get better, as the fudge started to melt into the ice cream base and added more to the flavor. I also appreciated that the almonds in the ice cream were crushed up rather than big chunks, so I was able to get a bit of almond in every bite. The most disappointing was the vanilla base. For some reason it had a chalky consistency that made it unpleasant. I'm not sure if it was freezer burn or something else, but unfortunately it didn't have the smooth and creamy texture that I look for in ice cream.

A slightly melted (and much tastier) Sunset Sundae

The Star Wars ice cream had a much better consistency but the flavors again barely came across. The peppermint flavoring was the right amount (since I don't really like being overwhelmed with peppermint) but there weren't very many marshmallows in it, so it essentially tasted like mint ice cream.

Overall, I'd say that if you're in the neighborhood and want some ice cream, Polly Ann's is a nice place to check out. But I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way for it.