Super Cool Ice Cream Sandwiches to Beat the Heat

They're cold, they've got cookies and they're waiting at ice cream shops all over the Bay Area.

by Ellen Fort@ellenfork Updated Jul 20, 2015, 10:03am PDT

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by Ellen Fort@ellenfork Updated Jul 20, 2015, 10:03am PDT

We've had more than our fair share of summery weather this year, and the recent heat wave has definitely set off some ice-cream sandwich cravings. While a plain old chocolate-and-vanilla or It's-It from the corner store freezer case never go out of style, here are 14 ice-cream sandwich shops that'll change your conception of the treat, including versions made with some of the Bay Area's best gourmet ice cream; wedged between cupcake tops, gluten-free cookies, and even rice krispy treats; or custom-designable by you. There are even a couple of ice-cream sandwiches on the dessert menus of upscale restaurants. See how many you can conquer before the next fog bank rolls in and spoils the fun.

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Over the Moon

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This duo of shops ( the other is at Four Embarcadero Center specializes in custom-made ice cream cookie sandwiches. Check out the current flavors here on the website and note that they'll even pre-warm the cookies before making the sandwich if you like.

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2144 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123

(415) 359-0055

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State Bird Provisions

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On State Bird's ever-rotating menu, the ice-cream sandwiches are a constant. They're actually more of a semifreddo, with a macaron-like cookie, which is why 'ice cream' is in quotations on the menu. We've had excellent earl grey, fig, and plum versions.

1529 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115

(415) 795-1272

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Cako Creamery

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[Photo: Yelp/Elaine N.]

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135 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 348-8885

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Miette Patisserie

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Miette's graham crackers are some of the best around, so it's no surprise that they make for a killer ice-cream sandwich, with creme fraiche, Meyer lemon, or strawberry ice cream, depending on the season. There are also two chocolate cookie options, with chocolate or mint ice cream. [Photo: Yelp/Sebastien V.]

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1 Ferry Building, Ste 10, San Francisco, CA 94105

(415) 837-0300

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Prospect

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Ice-cream sandwiches are regular players on Prospect's dessert menu; the current flavor is white chocolate ice cream and raspberry jam swirl wedged between two snickerdoodles.

300 Spear St, San Francisco, CA 94105

(415) 247-7770

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The Ice Cream Bar

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The Ice Cream Bar will let you choose your own cookie and ice-cream combo; their cookie options are chocolate chip, peanut butter, and Meyer lemon. We could see them being great with the Morello cherry, banana pudding, and caramelized honey ice creams, respectively.

815 Cole St, San Francisco, CA 94117

(415) 742-4932

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Bi-Rite Creamery

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Bi-Rite is known far and wide for its amazing ice cream, which is all the better sandwiched between two house-baked cookies. Popular options are balsamic strawberry with sugar cookies, caramel-walnut-oat cookies with roasted banana, and the classic chocolate-chip with vanilla. They come pre-made, so don't expect customization, but the upside is that they can usually be found in the freezer cases at both Bi-Rite stores; no need to wait in line.

3692 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 626-5600

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Frozen Kuhsterd

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This custard truck prides itself on having unusual takes on the ice-cream sandwich, including varieties made with silvanas (a frozen Filipino cookie that's somewhat like a macaron). But the most popular special is their maple-bacon donut ice-cream sandwich, filled with Four Barrel espresso or cereal-milk custard and topped with burnt caramel sauce.

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161 Erie St, San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 371-9050

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Garden Creamery

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This truck's frozen "mousse" has become a big hit, especially when it's sandwiched between chocolate-covered oatmeal cookies in a dressed-up take on an It's-It. Their Crunch Daddy wedges peanut butter or chocolate mousse between a regular or cocoa Rice Krispy treat, then dips it all in chocolate.

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428 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

(808) 224-6626

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Mitchell's Ice Cream

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A San Francisco classic, Mitchell's offers flavors both comforting (grasshopper pie, rocky road, vanilla bean) and unusual (ube, avocado, lychee). They'll scoop whichever you desire between two freshly-baked cookies, sourced from Zoe's (Berkeley) and Pacific Cookie Company (Santa Cruz).

688 San Jose Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 648-2300

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CREAM

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Recognizable by its omnipresent, massive line, this Cal student favorite stands for Cookies Rule Everything Around Me. With a seriously large cookie selection (there are vegan and gluten-free flavors, plus more unusual variations like turtle, M & M, and cappuccino) and plenty of ice-cream flavors (green tea, cinnamon, and the highly meta cookie dough), there's no end of opportunities to mix and match. The quickly expanding chain also has locations in the Mission, Oakland, Walnut Creek and more on the way. Check out their full list of locations here.

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2399 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

(510) 649-1000

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Ici Ice Cream

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With its homemade, chocolate-tipped cones and authentically flat and thin ice-cream sandwich cookies, Ici gets points for serving vessels as well as scoops. The freezer here offers pre-made combos like candied Meyer lemon with ginger cookies, or a chocolate cookie with a half-chocolate, half-vanilla ice cream filling.

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2948 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705

(510) 665-6054

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Sift Cupcakes and Dessert Bar

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Sift is known for their super moist and tasty cupcakes, but they're no one-trick pony. They've also got chewy cookies sandwiched around cold, refreshing ice cream.