If you grew up eating freezer burned or soggy ice cream sandwiches out of a cardboard box, then I have news. (Don’t feel too badly now about it now, not to invoke therapy speak, but when you know better, you do better.)

I say this because yesterday was my first trip over to the Tricycle Ice Cream storefront on Battey Street (the former home of North Bakery) in Providence and the whole experience was delightful.

Now I’ve had their ice cream sandwiches before — they have after all been around since 2014, having started as a tricycle vending cart or an ice cream bike that could usually be tracked down on Saturdays in the nice weather at the Hope Street Farmers Market, on Sundays at the Providence Flea over on South Water.

If you too have previously sampled their Mint or Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, you already know that they use top shelf ingredients in making the different ice cream fillings and various cookie “breads” including choc espresso, pretzel shortbread, or fruity pebbles. (Can you believe when these sandwiches were 1st sold on the streets of NYC during the late 1890’s, they were ice cream wrapped simply in two pieces of paper?)

What took me by surprise yesterday was how much Tricycle has expanded their original offerings since opening the brick and mortar shop some two or so years ago.

We are talking ice cream tacos (which I’d never ever heard of before), sorbet push pops, drumsticks, and even a donut i.c. sandwich here, folks. (See photo of their menu board below. Also, be aware that they do indeed roll out newness weekly.)

When I walked in and spotted that huge chalkboard hanging from the ceiling, I started to panic and blank out, having no idea what to order.

The person who was helping me knew (!!!) and thankfully handed over the I-Pad version of their menu which was way easier for me to navigate. (A handful of treats were already sold out for the day btw, and this was a January 2nd winter day in PVD.)

Those eschewing dairy these days will be thrilled to know they also offer a nut-based ice cream sammie.

The shop is strictly pick up (you can order in advance online) or carryout which I am a big fan of once again with everything that’s going on.

Find Tricycle Ice Cream at 70 Battey Street in Providence, RI.

As always, if you go on an ice cream run after reading this, please let them know you were inspired by Patty J and PattyJ.com.