MLive reporter visiting Washtenaw Dairy in Ann Arbor on quest to find state's best ice cream parlor
Ann Arbor residents four-year-old Alexis (left) and 18-month-old Emma (right) Lillie share a cone of superman ice cream from Washtenaw Dairy on Monday.
Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
“We won’t put on airs, we’re pretty much just workers,” Smith said.
“You can’t come out and act like you’re something else for one day, and we’ve been so busy that we really don’t have time to do anything special.”
Smith said business this summer has been fast and furious. As he was speaking an employee was “dipping” the last 900 cups from a 6,000-cup order that has to go out on Wednesday.
The workday starts early to make sure everything gets done. The first employees get to the store at two in the morning, the managers follow at four, and doors open at 5 a.m. “every day but Christmas.”
Co-owner Doug Raab said that the morning business primarily is donuts and filling orders.
Co-owner Doug Raab often sits in front of the store's large ice cream-filled freezers as he chats with customers and friends.
Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
“Ice cream is a night thing, that’s when you get people lined up and sitting around the side of the building.”
While ice cream is a big part of the business, Smith said the store also sells 150 dozen donuts a day. His favorite thing to eat from his own store is an old-fashioned maple donut.
“I had one the other day and I said, ‘these are probably the best donuts there are,’” he said. “I don’t really bother eating other people’s donuts, but I love ours.”
Due to the combination of heavy business and a self-professed lack of computer skills, Smith and Raab didn’t campaign at all for the AnnArbor.com poll that overwhelmingly found the dairy to be the most popular parlor in the county.
“Some of us don’t even know how to turn on a computer,” Smith said.
“My partner is in his 80’s and I’m 60-something, we missed the whole tech thing and for us it’s really hard to get into.”
Despite the owner’s lack of technical know-how, the pair have been a major presence in the community for a long time. The support they have received in the voting, may pale in comparison to the support they give to local organizations and fundraising efforts.
Smith said the company donates ice cream or money to several hundred causes a year ranging from a the Zen Buddhist Temple on Packard St. to the Pioneer High School field hockey team.
“We support the community, because the community supports us. That’s why it’s worked all these years,” he said.
“It adds up on your bottom line, but these same people come down with their families and buy ice cream. They’ve come for years and supported us.”
When Gonzo stops by on Wednesday, he may not be pampered, but he’ll be treated to the best ice cream parlor experience Washtenaw County has to offer.
And he may want to try a maple donut.
Join AnnArbor.com community staff members Jessica Webster and Kyle Mattson at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Washtenaw Dairy as John Gonzalez continues his hunt for the best ice cream parlor in Michigan. Can't make it out? Follow our live feed starting at 11 a.m. to talk everything ice cream.
Ben Freed covers business for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at 734-623-2528 or email him at benfreed@annarbor.com. Follow him on twitter @BFreedinA2
Comments
K Thompson
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 3:52 a.m.
Oh, sorry, the poll is best Parlor not Best ice cream.
K Thompson
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 3:50 a.m.
Best ice cream is Jones in Baldwin, Mich. Washtenaw Dairy is good for aroubd here though.
janejane
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 2:46 p.m.
Washtenaw Dairy is totally community-minded. Their dedication to their customers cannot be duplicated. They are exceptional to all, and therefore, they will always get my vote. Thank you, Washtenaw Dairty for your committment to your community and your customers. The rest of the country could take a lesson from you!
Kyle Mattson
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 2:16 p.m.
We'll be at Washteaw Dairy at 11:30 today, follow along live as John Gonzalez continues his hunt for the best ice cream parlor in Michigan: http://bit.ly/aadc-wdairy
4mytown
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 1:55 p.m.
Wastenaw Dairy is one of my favorite places in Ann Arbor - not because the ice cream is better than anywhere else, but because the ambiance is so good. It harkens back to simpler times when things were less complicated, and it has not been renovated into some plastic, souless place. The outdoor seating invites eye contact and conversation between strangers united by a common interest. And, it attracts people of all ages, and all are accepted. Prices are very reasonable and the donuts ARE the best in the county!
lynel
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 12:06 a.m.
I go there for ice cream in the summer, donuts some mornings, but Washtenaw Dairy is a life saver when we are without power...DRY ICE!!!!
Dwoods
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 8:13 p.m.
Fond memories of Washtenaw Dairy, going with my family over 50 years ago. We always went on a hot summer night or day. My favorite was chocolate, my dad coffee, mom vanilla, sister coffee, and brother chocolate. Not many flavors back then. But ice cream was always tasty and fresh. Fruit favors of course. It is a landmark for Ann Arbor and I hope will continue to be. So many of the old businesses are gone now. Drakes, Pretzel Bell, Campus Theater, to name a few. DW
janejane
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 2:51 p.m.
I agree. The topography has changed so much. Naming a few more: Stanger's, Artisans, The Cracked Crab, Leo Ping's, Jacobson's, Handicraft, Marimekko, The Bagpiper, Marty Busch's & His Lady, Saks Fifth Avenue, Marti Walker, Hutzel's, Goodyear's, The Whiffle Tree, The Rubiyat....and on and on...makes me misty-eyed.
Dog Guy
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 4:08 p.m.
At 5:00 a.m., MRunner73, it is called "Muehlig's waiting room".
MRunner73
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 3:55 p.m.
When I drive by that corner on my way to work around the 4:00 AM hour, the lights are on in store. Sometimes, I think it's open but I know now that is at 5:00 AM. Good for them and wish them much more success.
xmo
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 3:18 p.m.
I hope they plan an going out of business soon! If the "Food Police" can get mad at Gabby they will surely make it unlaw to eat at Washtenaw Dairy! (5th Fattest State) "America's newest Olympics gymnastics star Gabby Douglas got scolded Monday night by first lady Michelle Obama for eating a celebratory Egg McMuffin at McDonald's after the competition was over.
Plubius
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 3:15 p.m.
Washtenaw Dairy is a joke - they do not make their own ice cream. To even consider this place for best ice cream is a crime.
SalineBob
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 3:45 a.m.
Good. Don't go there. By the way the voting is for best parlor...not best ice cream.
Doug
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 4:08 p.m.
You must be a newcomer to Ann Arbor. Tradition count here!
jusayin
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 3:01 p.m.
hey, Jimmy - what up? You're not 60 "something"...you're 60! (5-13-52) Don't make me feel any older than necessary buddy. So happy to read all the great PR Washtenaw Dairy regularly receives...well deserved. I'm sure your Dad is proud of the way you've carried on the tradition of being a local meeting house in the morning and a family gathering place in the evening. You handle the left field line and I'll handle left center and we'll win a lot of ballgames!!
LaMusica
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 2:23 p.m.
YaY Washtenaw Dairy! Also...where can I get a job traveling around eating ice cream all day?!
Kyle Mattson
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 2:38 p.m.
Sign me up too LaMusica...although I don't think I could ever handle that much ice cream!
xmo
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 2:16 p.m.
When are the Food Police going to close this place down? Donuts and Ice Cream? What about Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign?
4mytown
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 1:48 p.m.
Everything in moderation, my parents used to tell me. People who allow themselves to become obese are not eating in moderation, they are taking in more calories than they expend. They may have an underlying emotional need that they fulfill with the act of eating. Also, some people have a different level of metabolism. All of us have to know when to push ourselves away from the table. Snacking is a major culprit. If people had the will power to limit themselves to three meals a day, obesity would decline.
Richard
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 5:15 p.m.
"Are you kidding me" Why does everyone think people are kidding them ?
towncryer
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.
"is it really necessary...." Are you kidding me???
mixmaster
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 2:25 p.m.
I'd venture that more than a few people WALK to the Dairy and then WALK home. I know that everything is political, but was it really necessary to make fun of the First Lady Michelle Obama in a comment about a local treasure?
Madeleine Borthwick
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 1:49 p.m.
I am happy to see that the Dairy will not be putting on airs for this visit. I have worked in places that, when they heard of an imminent visit from the "Brass", would go immediately into Panic Mode. Oh my goodness!!!the Brass is coming!!!free samples everywhere in the store!!!!strip/wax the bottle room!!!!!!Give all tattooed/pierced/less-than-squeaky-clean-employees the day off!!!!! floral arrangements all over the place!!!!!AAAAAHHHHH!!!!! Come on. the brass may be condescending and arrogant but they're hardly stupid. Let them see how the store Really Is. Good for you, Washtenaw Dairy.
mixmaster
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.
It's not all about the ice cream. You can get ice cream anywhere. The Washtenaw Dairy offers far more to its loyal customers.
fjord
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 1:43 p.m.
Absolutely ... but if you're going to crown a "best ice cream parlor," the actual ice cream should be a major factor when comparing different places. As I asserted above, I love Washtenaw Dairy ... but let's face it, the ice cream is just average. As you said, you can get ice cream anywhere ... and their ice cream you really CAN get anywhere: Meijer, Kroger, etc.
fjord
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 1:32 p.m.
Washtenaw Dairy is great and I always enjoy going there, but until they make their own ice cream they won't be in the running for "best ice cream parlor." There's too much good locally-made ice cream in this state for a shop that scoops mass-produced ice cream to be named the best. For the total experience, including great ice cream made on the premises, my vote goes to Plainwell Ice Cream Co.
SalineBob
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 3:39 a.m.
As I visit ice cream parlors while summering in this great State I always ask if the ice cream is made on the premises or not. Otherwise I just jump in my Rolls and drive away. Mass produced ice cream? For shame!
Kyle Mattson
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 2:43 p.m.
fjord- John considered focusing on just creameries, but realized that a number of the most popular local destinations may be left out. So rather than just going on taste he is searching for places which stand out across the state for that sweet frozen treat and as a gathering place for the community.
Top Cat
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 1:17 p.m.
I just read the article about obesity in Michigan and then saw this. I should have a salad for lunch but "dirt food" is boring.
MRunner73
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.
I haven't noticed folks from the U. P. coming down regularly nor is Washtenaw Dairy on a must do thing in Grand Rapids.
Barb
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 12:58 p.m.
Um, how about an option for ice cream *and* donuts?
Madeleine Borthwick
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 1:42 p.m.
good point Barb, I go there for both.