- November 19, 2024
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There’s always room for dessert — but where to go: That is the question.
A poll of Observer staffers showed that while some of our favorite after-dinner treats are crafted with skill, time and an eye for presentation, others can be found in your local frozen food aisle.
1) Yo’Belle Frozen Yogurt
Address: 101 Palm Harbor Parkway, European Village
Phone: 597-2889
Froyo is all the rage these days, and in the past couple years, Palm Coast has become a hotbed for this frozen treat. There’s Yomii, in Town Center (also a great pick), Yogurt City (by Subway, in the Winn-Dixie center) and Tutti Frutti (next to Firehouse Subs).
But what puts Yo’Belle over the top is its location.
Fruit, candy, sauces, constantly rotating flavors — you’ll find mostly the same options at all at Palm Coast’s froyo joints, but where else can you sit and watch a band play while you gorge on buckets full of soft-serve? Where else can you walk a few feet away after you finish to grab a brew or cigar or burrito or slice of pizza?
European Village might have been on life-support there for awhile, but it’s bounced back in a big way. And sometimes, a new vibe makes all the difference.
2) Sally’s Ice Cream
Address: 401 State Road A1A
Phone: 439-4408
It’s a mainstay. Sally’s. You know where it is, you know what it offers and, chances are, you’ve made far too many stop there after beach trips, using the excuse that you weren’t really all that hungry, you just needed to “cool down.”
Just like Yo’Belle, location has a whole lot to do with this pick — it’s quick, convenient and the scenery’s the best in town. But Sally’s hasn’t been around since 1985 just because it’s on the ocean.
According to its Facebook page, they have 40 flavors of ice cream, soft-serve with 23 toppings options, milkshakes, banana splits, flurries, malts, root beer floats, smoothies, frozen key lime pie on a stick and a whole menu of sundaes. Oh, and they also have hamburgers and hot dogs.
Need to cool down yet?
3) Donut Stop
Address: 500 N. State St., Bunnell
Phone: 263-2958
This is one might seem like cheating, since it’s not technically open for dessert. But everybody knows: You don’t go out for donuts; you buy them ahead of time. And with just a little bit of planning, you could enjoy hands down one of the best desserts around.
Run by former corrections officer Rich Weber and his wife, Karen (who knows better about donuts than an ex-cop, right?), Donut Stop is a tiny, little place on U.S. 1, but there’s nothing tiny about their dinner plate-sized apple fritters, a ridiculous standout in the glass case, one that melts in your mouth just like the heavy-yet-so-light donuts the Webers wake up before dawn every day to pump out.
Imagine the weight and consistency of a Dunkin’ Donut fused with the meltability of a Krispy Kreme. That’s a Donut Stop.
Also, like them on Facebook to keep up with all their new flavors and varieties: a Nutella and almond donut, cinnamon crumb donut, key lime tart donut, a Twinkie-inspired “Despicable Me” minion-themed donut. Etc., etc., etc.
4) Osteria Rustica
Address: 4750 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell
Phone: 437-2000
You may not believe it, but most Observer staffers actually clean up pretty nice (except for Andrew O’Brien, who’s almost always a wreck). But when we do gussy up for a fancy meal, we make sure to leave room for dessert.
The banana fosters at Osteria is worth that restraint.
The place might be tough to spot — tucked in the corner of a plaza on the corner of State Road 100 and Belle Terre — but a good dessert is always made better by a good dinner. And Osteria’s Italian has that part covered.
Then, when they add in the showmanship, heating up the fosters right at your tableside, adding in the banana once it’s really cooking, it's just icing. Pair this bad boy with an espresso and, uh huh, that spells No. 4.
5) Publix ice cream
Address: On the corner of Shopping St. and Pleasure Ave.
Phone: Here’s one: 445-1430
We won’t lie to you here: There was a little dispute in the office over whether Steak N Shake, with its buy-one-get-one milkshake deal, should get the nod for No. 5 (really, you can two Butterfinger shakes for a grand total of about $4, with the coupon).
But in the end, Publix reigned victorious.
After all, give a man a coupon, and you’ll feed him two milkshakes for a night; give that same man a shopping cart, and he can get a $3 carton of moosetracks to make milkshakes all week long.
Just think about that cost per cup.
But we can hear the haters already: “Publix?! Really?!” So we defy you: What’s a more cost-efficient and tasty dessert option in town? Go!
CLICK HERE for our top five best pizza places in town
CLICK HERE for our top five burgers.
CLICK HERE for best breakfasts.
