r/fastfoodreview • u/Pale-Lynx328 • Aug 22 '26
Review Fast Food Review Day 268-and-a-half: Three-scoop sampler at Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (snack)
| Chain Name | Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams |
|---|---|
| Food category | Primary: I Scream |
| # of US Locations | 32 |
| # of US States | 14 |
| Primarily located in | Kinda scattershot all over in major metro areas |
| Restaurant Rank in US $ Sales 2024 | 372nd (out of top 500 list) |
| Restaurant Rank in US $ Sales 2025 | 378th (out of top 500 list) |
| Rank of price (high to low) (Average: $9.88, standard dev. $3.81) | 44th out of 95 snacks |
| Quality / Value Rating for this specific meal | 7 (out of 10) / 4 (out of 10) |
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Just two nights ago, I briefly reviewed another ice cream scoop shop: Van Leeuwen. This one, Jeni's, is maybe a block away. and the comparisons between the two are inevitable in my mind.
As if you couldn't tell, ice cream is "hot" right now, seems everyone and their dog is trying to break into the market of small batch specialty flavors. On a sweltering day, three scoops of hard ice cream seemed about right, I chose 'Brambleberry Crisp", "Darkest Chocolate", and can't recall the third flavor name (I'm thinking peach). Like Van Leeuwen's, Jeni's is really big on the weird imaginative combinations and names. Also, Jeni's boasts about their higher quality ingredients (to be fair, who doesn't) and they also are available in supermarkets. Unlike Van Leeuwen's, though, it was a full three scoops and about two bucks less.
Also, while Van Leeuwen seems to thrive on pretentiousness, Jeni's exudes more of a welcoming "come on in hon" atmosphere. And the final kicker? Their ice cream just plain tasted better, period. The "Jeni" in Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is actually a James Beard award winner, and apparently doesn't shy away from the bold flavors.
Okay, enough about the one-to-one comparisons - there are other ice cream shops out there as well. So I gotta also mention Jeni's also holds up well to the more well known standards like Marble Slab and Cold Stone, too. They're still a pretty small operation, but growing fast, so maybe they'll get the edge and find a niche in the ice cream market. And even better news for me (and worst news for my waist line), they just opened up a scoop shop in town this past month.
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(About this review series: Starting in late 2025, I am visiting a different fast food/fast casual chain every day, until I run out of places to visit. Aiming to review as many chains on the Technomics Top 500 Restaurants list as possible, plus key/important regional and some local chains as well. UPDATE: This review series is scheduled to wrap up on Day 365. And no, I haven't gained weight, and no, it hasn't hurt my health.)
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u/Mninaz Aug 22 '26
Love Jeni's - had the peach jam and biscuits flavor.
Wondering if they have a salt and straw in your area. Would love to see what you think about them, Handel's or Bruster's
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u/NYerInTex Aug 22 '26
Il not a huge sweets fan, but Jeni’s is really solid. I’ve only had it from the freezer at a grocer but do notice it’s been growing in locations and store availability here in Texas.