2 Historic Bay Area Ice Cream Shops Ranked Among Most Popular In Nation: Yelp

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Just in time for the summer, Yelp has released its list of the "50 Most Saved Ice Cream Shops in the US," and two Bay Area creameries made the rankings.

Mitchell's Ice Cream, a family-owned shop that has called the city's Mission District home since the 1950s, took the top honors, beating out other favorites such as Soft Swerve in New York (No. 2) and Mashti Malone's in Los Angeles (No. 3).

It's unclear how many times this ice cream shop has been saved, but Yelp said it analyzed bookmarking behavior and ratings to rank them.

"Whether it’s Japanese soft serve, Persian saffron ice cream, or classic frozen custard, Yelp’s most saved shops prove that America’s love of ice cream is anything but vanilla," according to Yelp, a technology company whose app provides a platform for consumer reviews of businesses.

Mitchell's Ice Cream has nearly 3,500 five-star reviews, and many reviewers reach the same conclusion: it's busy, but worth the wait.

"A classic SF ice cream shop that families, dates, and friends would not hesitate to wait their turn for," one five-star review read. "At peak hours, there can be up to 25+ parties waiting, but their service is efficient, kind, and fast."

"An SF staple that never disappoints," another reviewer said. "Soooooooo many flavors. Pick your favorite or try something new."

Meadowlark Dairy in Pleasanton, meanwhile, took the No. 5 spot.

The top 10 in the country are as follows:

1. Mitchell’s Ice Cream, San Francisco, California
2. Soft Swerve, New York, New York
3. Mashti Malone’s, Los Angeles, California
4. Bumsan Organic Milk Bar, Los Angeles, California
5. Meadowlark Dairy, Pleasanton, California
6. il laboratorio del gelato, New York, New York
7. Toscanini’s Ice Cream, Cambridge, Massachusetts
8. Little Man Ice Cream, Denver, Colorado
9. Azucar Ice Cream – Little Havana, Miami, Florida
10. Henry’s Place, Honolulu, Hawaii

"These 50 spots have earned the most saves from Yelp users nationwide, telling a story of the shops that many will plan summers around," according to Yelp. "One thing is clear: When it comes to ice cream, people have opinions."

No other California location made the list. For the full top 50 list, click here.