There are a few foods I will always associate with my first visit to Boston. On the first day, my dad convinced me to try yogurt and granola, a combination which immediately had me hooked. Later in the week, we stood in line outside Fenway Park for about an hour before they finally ran out of tickets. For our consolation meal we went to California Pizza Kitchen, which had yet to move into the Briarwood Mall back in Ann Arbor, and I established a positive association with it that lasted years before I realized that I didn't particularly like any of their food (another example of the corrupting influence of inexperienced taste buds - or, I suppose, of experienced taste buds, depending on how you look at it).
But the highlight of the visit was J.P. Licks, where I discovered the work of genius that is Oreo Ice Cream. Let me stress that this is not just an officially sponsored version of Cookies 'n' Cream. Cookies 'n' Cream could in no way prepare you for this. Oreo Ice Cream is literally Oreo-based ice cream. With Oreos stuck in it. You might be thinking of Dairy Queen's Oreo Blizzard. Don't. While they share a similar greyish color, J.P. Licks's Oreo Ice Cream is such a rich grey that it's almost purple. It is also softer than any ice cream has the right to be. If someone slammed an open tub of Oreo Ice Cream down on your head, you would sink smoothly in without any pain whatsoever, and then have the pleasure of eating your way out. It's like if a giant plate of Oreos and a glass of milk got in a fight, and the Oreos won. Trying to enjoy Cookies 'n' Cream or an Oreo Blizzard after eating Oreo Ice Cream is like chasing the dragon. It's like -
Sorry. Got a little carried away there. Anyway, although I've been to Boston two more times, I have never again had Oreo Ice Cream. J.P. Licks rotates their menu from month to month, so I have no idea if they would have had it had I stopped in to look. Even if they did though, I don't think I would have gotten it. Oreo Ice Cream has been added to the list foods of whom I'd rather have the glorious memory than the potentially (almost inevitably) disappointing reality. For the record, that list includes Choco Tacos (which is another story altogether), so you may want to take my rhapsodizing with a grain of salt. Or a Choco Taco.
Jordan, this is great! I love the metaphors you create in order for us to really understand how awesome this Oreo ice cream is (I have to admit, when I read your title, I was totally thinking it would be about cookies n' cream ice cream--oops). Stylistically, this piece moved very smoothly, and the ending was great, leaving me wanting to read more about your other food experiences! Great job!
ReplyDeleteJordan! Your description of the fight of a great plate of milk and a great plate of Oreos just wanted me to crave for Coldstone so badly. I know it wouldn't be comparable to your memory of Oreo Ice Cream in J.P. Licks, but Coldstone has the best ice cream I've tasted so far.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you wrote this with the presence of the readers. And as McKenna said, I would love to read other pieces of yours, including Choco Tacos!