Gifford’s Ice Cream and Candy Co.

After a rather disappointing dinner at M&S Grill, we headed over to Gifford’s in search of an ice cream treat. We walked into a dingy ice cream parlor that looked in need of a good power washing. If you’re going to pain the whole place yellow, you’re going to have to keep it spotless so the grime doesn’t show. The floor was absolutely atrocious — scuff marks, stains of past ice cream spills, possibly gum. The tables and chairs didn’t look especially clean either. The counter behind the ice cream freezers was littered with the detritus of sundaes, sprinkles, ice cream drips, etc. We even got the pleasure of watching the counter person try to change a broken, dripping trash bag for another. God, I hope she washed her hands. The other counter people were a bit aloof and not exactly the most professional looking bunch.
My coffee ice cream was good, but nothing to write home about. Their take-​out freezers were veritably empty and there was no candy to speak of. An empty set of candy bins was forlornly stashed in front of the take-​out freezers. The whole place just seemed in real need of a make over. Next time, we’ll just find a Ben&Jerry’s.

I love ice cream. I really love ice cream. Really really really.
I did not love Giffords.
Our counter-​person was pretty rude (and we were behaving ourselves for once!) Second, the ice cream was just kinda… bad. The hot fudge sundae sauce tasted burnt and like it had expresso in it (which is odd for hot fudge) and the ice cream had crystalized.
If I’m paying over $ 6 for a sundae, that thing should be amazingly awesome. I think I would have rather gone to McDonald’s and gotten the $ 1 one. Much more satisfying than what I got.
1 star. Giffords may want to consider improving their product and their customer service.

This is probably my favorite ice cream spot in DC. They have delicious flavors and very generous portions. Staff is always welcoming and quick to get your order. Great place to bring kids. They give discounts if you drop by after a flick next door. Best time to drop by is during their Monday happy hour for 50% off a delicious sundae.

My new favorite ice cream joint! Holy smokes. I held out a long time, but finally caved and came here after dinner with a couple friends. I wasn’t hungry enough to get more than a small portion, but I really wanted to try two different flavors. The guy behind the counter was super nice and agreed to give me two different kinds as part of one small scoop. At his recommendation, I tried the Peanut Butter Cookies & Cream along with the regular Chocolate. He packed the ice cream onto my little sugar cone to the point where I needed a cup to hold it all — serious risk of ice cream toppling! The Chocolate was pretty good, not quite as rich as I like it… but the PB Cookie was AMAZING. Seriously, one of the yummiest peanut butter & chocolate combos I’ve ever encountered.
At a little over $ 4 with tax, the generous «small» scoop wasn’t cheap, but I think this is more or less in line with what you’d pay at other ice cream places these days. I would love to come back during the ice cream Happy Hour every weekday from 4−6pm, when small scoops are just $ 2. That PB Cookies & Cream has me hooked!

I love it because they have Happy Hour on Mondays!!!
Yaaay $ 2 scoops either a cup or a cone! What a great thing to look forward to on Monday’s. Really, who gets excited about Mondays? Now I have found something, so I get off the metro at Metro Center and walk home making sure my route takes me by Gifford’s! Such a nice summer time treat and I can take a slow walk home though the Navy Memorial too.
Also on Monday’s they have $ 3 sundae’s, which is kinda fun too.

3 dollar sundae Mondays! If there was such a deal around here, I just might start looking forward to Mondays. The cherry blossom ice cream with hot fudge was a nice way to top off a long day of walking through the National Mall in the rain. The ice cream was creamy and just sweet enough. The staff was also extremely nice and courteous. Would definitely go back for more sundaes =)

I got the 70% dark chocolate.
It was really really good at first. The bits of bitter dark chocolate with the not-​too-​sweet chocolate base.
Then. it was work. I had to pick out all the dark chocolate chunks as it progressed from delightful contrast in flavors, to just plain disgustingly bitter crap in my otherwise good ice cream.
Anddddd it’s not cheap. It’s worth a try, but… get Ben & Jerry’s instead.

Cookies N Cream waffle cone was a-​ok, but totally not worth the $ 7. If it weren’t for my wife I’d rather go to Baskin Robbins and buy a quart of ice cream for the same price.

I really don’t get this place.
Yes, it is one of the oldest ice cream parlors in the area, and yes, they do have a good selection of flavors, but I just don’t get what their USP is. Why would anyone forgo cheaper, and often, better ice cream from say Ben and Jerry’s or Coldstone Creamery to come eat at this place? The desserts are just not that good.
As for the actual store, it’s more of a shanty than an ice cream parlor. In other words, very minimalistic. They have the location in their favor; why not spruce up the place some to make it at least half trendy?
After trying this place a couple times, I have to say that this place is just not my cup of ice cream.

Definitely tried better. I got the 70% chocolate, which was probably one of their better flavors (I tried a sample of their regular chocolate, their swiss chocolate, and their coffee). Good 70% chocolate, but after a few bites, I didn’t dig the dark chocolate chip chunks anymore.
The ice cream melts too fast for my taste, and I can say hands down that Haagen Daaz chocolate ice cream is way better. Also, it’s a bit too pricey for only decent ice cream. Didn’t walk away very satisfied. =(

— Problem #1:
You went to Fogo De Chao and you are drunk on meat
— Solution:
Walk it off
— Problem #2:
You just burned 10 precious calories in walking from Fogo to the corner of 10^th & E Streets, NW.
— Solution:
Get a Banana Split Sundae ($ 7.25) from Gifford’s
— Problem #3:
You’re full but not grotesquely full, as the meat packing in your stomach has left little voids that should be taken up with food
— Solution:
Ice cream fills those voids nicely
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$ 7.25 for a sundae?! Really?! When you use cherries that have likely been fermenting in that large glass jar longer than kimchi? When you use «pineapples» from a Sysco container? When the presentation looks like someone took a massive white dump on a bowl and topped it with 3 cherries (
)?
Other than solving problems #2 and #3 above, Gifford’s wasn’t all that great. The Roasted Coconut was ok, the Coconut Fudge Brownie was lame, and the Swiss Chocolate had the texture of Swiss Chalk-​olate (*Whomp whomp*) So for you, Gifford, I have not one, but two cheers!
Over-​rated! Clap clap clapclapclap! Over-​rated! Clap clap clapclapclap!
Over-​priced! Clap clap clapclapclap! Over-​priced! Clap clap clapclapclap!
Don’t waste precious calories on Gifford’s. Get some York or Island Style instead (
)
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Footnote: I finished most of the sundae by myself. Most of the garnish, a.k.a, banana was left behind. I could’ve used the help of my Mongals: PC W, Michelle P, Laura V. Natasha O, Karman L, and Alicia G.

Gifford’s Ice Cream is alright (it also services Scoops in the basement of Longworth Building of the Capitol). I enjoyed my peppermint ice cream (pink with peppermint pieces — I never trust mint ice cream that isn’t either pink or green), but mostly because it was only $ 3.30 (tax included) thanks to the Monday deal of $ 3.00 sundae. You can’t get much in this town for $ 3, so this is a great deal. It’s the normal «large» scoop (regularly ~$ 6) plus toppings.
My parents always have ice cream on Monday nights (the best way to end the worst day of the week), and now I can join them!

Chocolate ice cream whores unite!
Stopped by here for the first time tonight and ordered 70% Chocolate Chocolate something or other. Aside from the fact that it started melting super quickly, OMG — YUM! Best chocolate ice cream i’ve ever had!
Due to melting, I started eating it as soon as the server handed it over to me. By the time I got to the cashier my icecream was half gone. I told the cashier how much I loved it an he offered to give me a free refill. Tempting, but I declined. I have a wedding dress to fit into!

3.5 Stars
Gifford’s was convenient to Warner Theater … and to tourists. Lots of tourists. The phrase «What you see is what you get» pretty much holds true here. If you’re expecting a huge variety of flavors, walk to Baskin-​Robbins in Woodley Park. Why not? Burn those calories before you consume more!
They didn’t have strawberry (of all flavors) that night, so I opted for mint chocolate chip. I would’ve enjoyed my yummy ice cream in its entirety if it didn’t start melting like crazy. The cause? Nope, not the weather. The employee scooped a MASSIVE hunk of mint chocolate chip onto a single sugar cone. I don’t mind a huge serving of such sugary joy, but I ended up throwing half of the ice cream away.
I’m not deducting stars for that inconvenience. It’s the cost of the ice cream! I don’t remember how much it costs, so refer to the other reviews. Oh well. It’s not like Washingtonians spend more than $ 2 on a single dessert… like cupcakes. (No worries, I’m guilty too.)

Ah. yeah. Guinnesss chocolate ice cream? I’m not supposed to be having either product but it was SO good. haha Grab a friend and have Gifford’s banana split sundae with it and the go on a monument tour to walk it off. haha
This place was cute. I’m assuming it’s a chain because the décor gave them away. The flavors are more interesting than your average chain store, so I was excited. I was tempted to get one of their flavored cones, but that was an extra buck and change so I opted not to. I did get a scoop of ice cream in a waffle cone. but can’t remember what it was (peanut butter methinks) because I was stealing Guinness chocolate ice cream from my friend’s sundae!
They also have a couple candy products by the pound and boxed chocolates. We noticed that some of the boxed chocolates had gone past their expiration dates, but I still bought chocolate covered mango chips for the trip home. haha Wow. the chocolate was perfection. Seriously. Not too sweet or overpowering and definitely complimentary to the mango.
The service was great and I would definitely head back there if I got the chance. but seriously. someone hold me back from the alcohol flavored ice cream. Side note kudos to the owners for trying to run the story on «green» energy. Whatever that means. ;P
3.5 stars because of the boxed chocolates. haha

Really? $ 5+ for 2 scoops of ice cream? And nothing but ice cream on that? And I can only choose from about 10 different ice cream flavors?
I just went for the «best value»: $ 6 shake that includes 3 scoops and milk and whipped cream and «syrup» (which I didn’t see or taste in my shake) and a cherry. Best value? I’m not sure because I spent more than $ 5. I think I just got suckered.
I guess I don’t have a palate for ice cream b/​c everyone sings the praises of this place, but to me the ice cream here tastes no better than cold stone ice cream. It also doesn’t even offer the benefits of cold stone of a variety of flavors and additions. I was just not that impressed.

Every time I go to the E St Cinema I always want to try Gifford’s, so finally last night I got a chance as the movie we wanted to see was sold out (No Country For Old Men; who knew there were so many Cormac McCarthy fans in DC?).
I got a scoop of the peppermint stick. It was okay, but nothing special. My friend got a scoop of the mint chocolate chip and the roasted coconut and my other friend got a chocolate sundae, and I didn’t hear them rave about it. My friend also got a mango smoothie, which by Gifford’s definition is apparently mango juice blended with ice. Where’s the milk? A smoothie needs more ingredients than ice and juice.
Given the cost of of my single scoop, almost $ 5, I expected more. I just wasn’t that impressed. Gifford’s is better than Cold Stone in my humble opinion, but not the end-​all-​be-​all of ice cream. I think it just benefits from being located two doors down from the coolest movie theater in DC.
The people working there were really nice though.

I love these ice cream places that have a revolving door of innovative flavors. I had a taste of the delicious roasted coconut but decided to go with a single scoop of peppermint stick with (free) chocolate sprinkles. Pricey at $ 4.20 after tax but the portions are generous. The homemade ice cream is very creamy. Great location right next to E Street cinema and accessible from several metro stops.
Updated 3÷7÷08
I had the mango sorbet. It was creamier than what you would expect and tastes almost like it’s whipped. It’s probably one of the best sorbets I’ve had.

I am an ice cream lover, and this place is probably one of the top 5 best ice cream places I’ve been to in my life. I highly recommend the dulce de leche and the banana chocolate chip. It’s pricey, but worth every penny! The people working there are extremely nice, and I think they use some kind of special freezer that gives the ice cream an amazing texture. Love it!
Update: The peppermint ice cream is amazing on a hot day. It’s not overly sweet, and it doesn’t have the nasty candy chunks that get in your teeth at other places. Also, the banana chocolate chip isn’t always available, so I plan to try the regular banana flavor with hot fudge.

I got the strawberry ice cream in a cone, and the serving was HUGE. Almost too big. I had just finished a filling dinner at Jaleo, and because I was given so much ice cream, it just started dripping everywhere and became very messy. It was very annoying, but hey, at least you know you’ll definitely get your money’s worth. I probably would’ve enjoyed it more had I not been full.
I’m someone who loves fruity ice creams and sorbets, but I thought that mine was a little too milky/creamy-flavored…not enough strawberry. My boyfriend got the black raspberry, and same thing with his. I like tasting the fruitiness in my ice cream and eating fruit chunks… if I want to taste milk, I’d order non-​fruit flavors.
We went to the E Street Cinema afterwards, and discovered that they have some kind of discount with Gifford’s. There was a sign that said to keep your ticket stub… don’t know how much of a discount it is, but it’s good to know!
Overall, 3 – 3.5 for flavor, 4 for value.
**Update: I came here last night and got the single scoop of cookies ‘n cream. It was literally a TRIPLE scoop. It’s nice that they give you your money’s worth, considering how pricey the ice cream is, but c’mon…this is the perfect example of why Americans are so damn fat. It’s not worth the money when you end up throwing away half of it, and I just end up feeling guilty throwing it away. I’d just order the kid’s cone if it’s possible, but of course, they actually enforce an age restriction.