Tucson's best: ice cream

Austin's Old-Fashioned Ice Cream

While many shops around town choose to import the frozen treat, this local diner throwback makes it all in the back of the shop. And the result is stunning: a smoother, richer, more flavorful cream that never tastes freezer-burned.

What separates Austin's from other confectioners is its sheer ingenuity and variety. In addition to the rocky road and rum raisin pictured here, Austin’s dishes up everything from burgundy cherry to ginger ice cream (all $1.75 per scoop). They also serve malts ($4) and a range of dessert dishes such as strawberry shortcake ($3.50).