I don't get coldstone...
Mar 27, 2007 | 6:50 pm
#61
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,788
They sing basically to beg for tips. It's bad enough to have tip jar at self-service counters instead of sit down places, it's really bad when they resort to this. Read the following:
http://www.famousfamily.com/mark/coldstone.html
http://www.famousfamily.com/mark/coldstone.html
Mar 27, 2007 | 7:13 pm
#62
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 94
Try finding universities with agriculture programs. Michigan State University makes their own ice cream for sale on campus and it is awesome. I have heard the same about Penn State. Anybody know of others?
Mar 27, 2007 | 7:46 pm
#63
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: MCO
Programs: Super-Titanium member of the Gate Roach program. :P
Posts: 193
I confess, I enjoy Cold Stone's ice cream. But I usually only get the smallest size offered and usually go maybe once every 3 months or so. Yes, $5 for ice cream is a lot, which is why it's a special treat for me.
What I like about their ice cream is all the creative combinations that they have. I had a peanut butter and chocolate combo the last time I was there and it was quite tasty.
What I like about their ice cream is all the creative combinations that they have. I had a peanut butter and chocolate combo the last time I was there and it was quite tasty.
Mar 27, 2007 | 8:31 pm
#64
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: United GS, AA Plat, Starwood Gold, AC
Posts: 367
Mar 28, 2007 | 5:38 pm
#67
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: MileagePlus 1K
Posts: 101
Mar 29, 2007 | 4:47 pm
#68
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: FNT/MBS
Programs: DL Gold, National Exec, Hertz 5*
Posts: 399
I too confess that I like Coldstone. The prices aren't too extreme in my book (like another member mentioned Starbucks takes the cake) and for the amount i go there (maybe once every few months), I don't mind paying $5 for my ice cream. That being said, the singing just pisses me off. I was at a Coldstone in Napa, CA, and a few teenagers found it amusing to come in and give a tip (without ordering anything) just to hear them sing 
Mar 29, 2007 | 4:54 pm
#69
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: SAN
Programs: DL SM, Marriot PLT, Tall guy in need of legroom
Posts: 1,478
I had never heard of Friendly's until I did a brief move to Upstate NY. I could have gone the rest of my life without ever going to one. I have never gotten ice cream in the restaurant, but if it's the same as the retail, I'll take cold stone/marble slab any day of the week. Where else can you get cake batter ice cream with cookie dough pieces? Certainly not Baskin Robbins or Dairy Queen.
Growing in Upstate NY and the northeast ingeneral--you NEVER went to Friendly's for the food--always the ice crea,--which was great. Fribbles, the sundaes, the watermelon slices (ice cream that looked like watermelon). It blows away Cold Stone. What ever happen to the Mom and Pops stores? I despise the corporate placeslike Cold stone00refuse to pay $5 for crappy ice cream. I agree with the guy about Breyers--I can get a half gallon for $3 at the store and it suits me just great
Apr 1, 2007 | 12:35 pm
#70
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 155
Oversized servings, ice cream that is too rich and too sweet, not many flavors,
expensive.
My family loves Coldstone but given a choice, I'll eat my ice cream elsewhere.
(The ambience is almost always very upbeat though, so if you need a lift, stop in!)
expensive.
My family loves Coldstone but given a choice, I'll eat my ice cream elsewhere.
(The ambience is almost always very upbeat though, so if you need a lift, stop in!)
Apr 1, 2007 | 1:15 pm
#71
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: none
Posts: 140
Apr 2, 2007 | 9:54 am
#72
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Beacon Falls, CT, USA
Posts: 1,609
I also enjoy Coldstone for an occasional treat. It's always busy in Gainesville - this is a college city, so students run amok. Our Coldstone employees only sing to you if you tip. They always greet you as you come in, and gives you exactly the combo you want, which is what I like... double caramel and chocolate fudge, in sweet cream ice cream, with heath bar and butterfinger mixed in...yummmmm....
I can only eat the small size as well, and go in 2 or three times a year. But it is very sweet and thick and creamy
I can only eat the small size as well, and go in 2 or three times a year. But it is very sweet and thick and creamy
Apr 2, 2007 | 3:20 pm
#73
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG
Posts: 3,583
Am I the only one out there who doesn't want to design his own ice cream?
I'm happy to pay for premium scoops (and am spoiled with the options in Boston), but one of the things I want for my money is an inventive flavor combination. For me, the Cold Stone concept falls flat, because none of the ingredients are interesting.
Give me the local stores that sell burnt caramel and fresh garden mint and guinness ice creams, served with a surly New England glare
I'm happy to pay for premium scoops (and am spoiled with the options in Boston), but one of the things I want for my money is an inventive flavor combination. For me, the Cold Stone concept falls flat, because none of the ingredients are interesting.
Give me the local stores that sell burnt caramel and fresh garden mint and guinness ice creams, served with a surly New England glare
Apr 3, 2007 | 7:08 pm
#74
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: BWI
Programs: SPG Plat
Posts: 105
I have to say that the Cold Stone version of cookies and cream was about the worst that I had ever tasted. I only finished about 1/4 of it and I am normally the type of person who leaves nothing behind.
If you are looking for a similar concept (and without the singing), Marble Slab is much much better.
If you are looking for a similar concept (and without the singing), Marble Slab is much much better.
Apr 7, 2007 | 10:41 pm
#75
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Southern California
Programs: AAdvantage, HHonors
Posts: 251
No singing at the Cold Stone by our place, we actually live between three of them, and they are all all just tired HS kids schlepping out the ice cream.
We usually only get it when we can use the coupon on the back of the movie ticket we used that day. And we don't watch many movies.
I guess there's supposed to be some novelty to the whole idea of getting some "special" ice cream. I guess it's okay, but I don't crave it. The fact that we live between three of them is like TSS (The Starbucks Syndrome): way too many locations and wayyyy overpriced.
Not that I am being some coffee and ice cream snob, but they've been marketed so that people think it's something they need to add to their daily routine. Climb into EssYouVee. Go to drive-thru at MickeyDs so the kids get a healthy breakfast. Go to drive-thru at Fourbucks to get a half cafe doppio ristretto icy chillatta blended soy. Drop off kids at school that is one block away from house. Etc....
We usually only get it when we can use the coupon on the back of the movie ticket we used that day. And we don't watch many movies.
I guess there's supposed to be some novelty to the whole idea of getting some "special" ice cream. I guess it's okay, but I don't crave it. The fact that we live between three of them is like TSS (The Starbucks Syndrome): way too many locations and wayyyy overpriced.
Not that I am being some coffee and ice cream snob, but they've been marketed so that people think it's something they need to add to their daily routine. Climb into EssYouVee. Go to drive-thru at MickeyDs so the kids get a healthy breakfast. Go to drive-thru at Fourbucks to get a half cafe doppio ristretto icy chillatta blended soy. Drop off kids at school that is one block away from house. Etc....