Second Helpings

Amy's Ice Creams

Various locations
This quintessentially Austin institution dominates the local ice cream scene, and with seven shops, Amy's is just a few minutes away from any neighborhood. You'll find them all serving up the same comic wit and irreverence alongside the luscious, high-butterfat scoops of ice cream that have made Amy's a favorite. The Mexican Vanilla with strawberry Crush'ns is a good place to start, but Amy's whimsical roster of rotating flavors runs the gamut from Coffee Toffee to Shiner Bock. A complete list can be found on their Web site. They also carry fruit ices for the nondairy crowd.

Baskin Robbins

300 W. Taylor, Round Rock, 512/310-2431 Monday-Saturday, 11am-10pm; Sunday, noon-10pm 744 W. Stassney, 444-3049 Daily, 11am-10pm 12407 N. MoPac, 833-8800 Daily, 11am-10pm
BR is still scooping the 31 flavors you grew up with, operating locations in the North and South ends of town. Sinking a hot-pink plastic spoon into workhorse standards like French Vanilla, Rocky Road, Rainbow Sherbet, and Jamoca Almond Fudge will make your taste buds think it's 1972 again.

Dolce Vita Gelato & Espresso Bar

4222 Duval, 323-2686 Daily, 9am-12mid
For those who like their ice cream with a continental flair, Dolce Vita offers a delicious assortment of handmade Italian ice creams and fruit sorbets right in the heart of Hyde Park. They also serve a variety of coffee drinks, as well as spirits and cordials for those in the mood for something stronger. Dolce Vita is as close to Rome as you'll get while doing a load of wash at Convenience Coin Laundry.

Dr. Chocolate

1715 W. 35th St., 454-0555 Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 1-5pm
Don't panic if you can't find Dr. Chocolate in the Central Park shopping strip. Chocolate addicts can get their fix at the new location at Jefferson Square. The ice creams designed by the talented culinary alchemists at Dr. Chocolate have been favorites of our readers for years, and we understand why. The delectable chocolate ice creams come in unforgettable flavors such as Infinity Double Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Orange Starburst Chocolate, Snowberry (white chocolate with chocolate-covered strawberries), and Bumpy Road (chocolate with marshmallows and chocolate-covered almonds).

Maggie Moo's

7101 Hwy. 71 W., 301-6667 Daily, 1-9:30pm
These cherry chain outlets with whimsical bovine decor offer ice creams and sorbets made fresh on the premises in a variety of flavors. There are mix-ins of candies, nuts, and fruits, plus some of the crisp waffle cones are dipped in chocolate and dusted with nuts, multicolored sprinkles, or chopped candies to add even more flavor and texture to your ultimate choice.

Marble Slab Creamery

Various locations
Houston-based Marble Slab Creamery offers rich, premium ice cream made fresh daily and designed to your specifications on a frozen marble slab. Flavors include Sweet Cream, Chocolate Amaretto, and Cheesecake. You can have your ice cream mixed with a variety of fruit, candy, cookies, and nuts. Each Marble Slab also bakes its cones fresh daily.

Paradise Ice Cream

900 RR 620 S., Ste. C-105, 263-0363 Sunday-Thursday, noon-9pm; Friday-Saturday, noon-10pm
Mark Alsup says he changed careers from engineering to ice cream making because he "wanted to be around happy people all day." What could make people happier than fresh, homemade ice creams in a wealth of inviting flavors? Try favorites like Elvis Triple Chocolate, Orange Sherbet, or Rainforest Mocha Almond Fudge on your next excursion to Lake Travis, and you'll be happy, too.