One of the best independently owned businesses in Winston-Salem, Blue Ridge Ice Creams serves up a break-from-the-norm in a cup or cone, your choice. Located off of Stratford Road, the family-owned dessert parlor has been enticing more and more people over the past 15 years to try the tasty treats it offers.

The Blue Ridge menu lists around 16 flavors of “American-style” ice cream at a time, but rotates over 300 homemade flavors. Their selections are based on available seasonal items, such as pumpkin. They also offer a smaller selection, only seven flavors at a time, of Italian gelato. All of their flavors are made from fresh ingredients, giving each bite an extra fresh-taste zing. On the current menu, these flavors stood out: Cookies & Cream, Pistachio, Dulce de Leche, Key Lime Pie, Dell Berry Computer Nerds, Coffee Oreo, Simply Chocolate, Confetti Cake Batter, and Sweet Cream.

Blue Ridge uses the exact same amount of ingredients for gelato as they do for ice cream. However, the special process for making gelato produces a smaller amount of dessert. Consequently, their prices for gelato are just a bit higher than for ice cream. Although priced by weight, the usual amount charged for a single scoop of ice cream is around $2.00 and about $3.00 for a double scoop. For gelato, the single scoop is $2.50 and the double is $3.75.

For you calorie watchers out there, this minute price difference is a trivial matter in exchange for the benefit that gelato brings: a smaller percentage fat. The American-style ice cream contains about 14% fat, whereas the Italian gelato is about half that, ranging from 6-8% fat. Blue Ridge offers other frozen dessert alternatives that contain even less percentage fat. Their sherbet is a modest 3-4% fat and if you absolutely must dodge calories at all costs, sorbet is your stronghold with no percentage fat whatsoever.

Blue Ridge is a wonderful spot for an afternoon snack, especially with the current after-school special. If you purchase a single or double scoop of ice cream at the regular price between 3 and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, you can receive a second same size or smaller serving at half price. As far as specialty toppings are concerned, you can have them mix M&Ms, Heath bars, Oreos, and other candies into your ice cream or gelato for 25¢.

If you’re wondering about the atmosphere about Blue Ridge, it exists as a cheerful eatery, but provides more than just desserts. During the summer months of June, July, and August, the owners help sponsor live music concerts on Thursday evenings. Mostly jazz and swing groups come to perform, and this past season, Blue Ridge succeeded in getting a local high school jazz band on the social scene. “The community really enjoyed that and I think that I will organize that again next summer” said Blue Ridge Ice Cream owner Deborah Lee.

I recommend visiting Blue Ridge because it’s a great ice cream place. After a difficult test week, their ice cream seemed like the perfect reward. It has a very laidback style and offers a variety of delicious desserts – so treat yourself and take advantage of this unique ice cream parlor!