Okay, so I didn’t get to go to Europe with Beth for research this time around, but after she got back we did take a trip to northern Indiana (partly for some other book research for me) and on the way home we made a stop at Fair Oaks Farm for their famous ice cream and cheeses. It’s right along I-65, maybe an hour from Chicago. Coming from Chicago, you can’t miss the billboards! “Our Whine Cooler” (with a picture of ice cream) and “We Dairy You to Stop” among others.
The cheesiness of their billboards aside, I can unequivocally say that their reputation is well deserved. The mint chocolate chip ice cream may have been the creamiest I have EVER tasted, and that’s saying quite a lot. The chocolate was also very, very good. Bethany got the butter pecan and the peach and those were exceptional as well.
Then there’s the cheese. We bought some to take home and the Butterkase in particular is divine. We also had grilled cheese sandwiches while there–I had the Havarti with pepper and Beth had the cheddar. Both were lovely and exactly what we wanted for a light-enough lunch to leave room for ice cream.
If you have kids along, there’s even Mooville, their outdoor playground… and even without kids, I confess we couldn’t resist jumping on the enormous “Dairy Air jumping pillow.” So if you find yourself a bit peckish while driving I-65 between Lafayette, IN and Chicago, this place is well worth a stop.
The Ice Cream Lovers 
Matt Miller
September 23, 2009 at 10:37 am
Hi, i am currently a Graphic Design student in the UK and i am creating a magazine about people that love ice cream! I have been looking through this website and am completeley fasinated with everything on here!
I am just wondering is there any chance you could email me about your story really. In a kind of interview. Im just wondering your background, what makes you do this and what you love about it. I want to make this one of the main pieces of my magazine.
I hope this is ok, i would love to hear back from you.
Matt Miller
Brenda
October 3, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Matt, I hope you can make good use of the info (and opinions) Bethany and I sent to you. Let us know when your magazine is done–we’re interested to hear how it turns out!
oz
January 29, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Hi- we just created an app for the iphone for ice cream lovers – it’s called Melt-O-Matic. It’s available at itunes.com/app/meltomatic for just .99¢.
Here’s a preview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhRA4Ln459A
Please share this with your readers
Thanks!!
Better Ice Cream
October 4, 2010 at 4:36 pm
A bit further east in the hidden city of Upland, IN is the best kept secret in the entire United States: Ivanhoe’s.
They have amazing food that blows away any franchise operation and are pretty much always packed out. I particularly enjoy the Texan Burger (beef patty + mozzarella cheese + BBQ sauce) plus the fruit bowl with fresh seasonal fruit and a great dip/sauce. The tater tots are good too.
Food aside, what makes them famous is their menu of 100 shakes and 100 sundaes at very affordable prices. And, if you don’t like what they have, they will make a custom shake/sundae for you at no extra charge. Beware: If you get a “Super”, it is HUGE! My favorite shake is no longer on the menu – fresh strawberries + bananas + rice crisps in their smooth vanilla ice cream – and occasionally with coconut flakes.
If you are going to be near Upland, IN, stop at Ivanhoe’s. Bring a cooler if you think you won’t want ice cream right at that moment, so that it can stay cold and delicious.
Indiana is loaded with lots of hidden mom & pop operations that are good, so I don’t doubt your experience was great. I’ve got no affiliation with Ivanhoe’s other than I enjoy eating there when I’m in Indiana for a visit.