I got lunch at a longtime Modesto ice cream shop on a $25 budget. ‘It is a gem’
From rising gas prices to increasing housing costs, it feels like everything is getting more expensive these days.
That’s what makes The Modesto Bee’s On a Budget series so great. It gives me the chance to explore the Modesto area and see just how far $25 can go when it comes to affordable outings.
For my latest stop, a reader pointed me in the direction of The Ice Cream Company in the Century Center shopping area on Orangeburg Avenue and Oakdale Road.
“It is a gem!” the reader wrote. “Helping people with barriers to employment while serving gourmet ice cream!”
The longtime Modesto shop, which opened in 1979, has operated under Enrich and Employ since 2019. The nonprofit organization provides job opportunities for people with barriers to employment, including individuals with learning disabilities.
“It makes jobs for people, it doesn’t just make ice cream,” Enrich and Employ executive director Bonnie Acree previously told The Bee.
On a recent afternoon, I stopped by to see just how budget-friendly this local ice cream shop really is.
Here’s what I got on a $25 budget:
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhy we did this story
Let’s face it, living in Modesto and going out can be expensive. That’s why Modesto Bee service journalism reporter Angela Rodriguez is bringing you along on her budget-friendly adventures. Born and raised in the Central Valley, Angela wants to help her fellow residents navigate life in the region (and have fun) without breaking the bank.
Where is Modesto ice cream shop?
The Ice Cream Company is at 2401 East Orangeburg Ave., Suite 650, in Modesto.
The shop is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
What’s on the menu at The Ice Cream Company?
My toddler and I arrived at The Ice Cream Company around 1 p.m. on a weekday, when the shop was fairly quiet.
A few customers stood at the counter.
Staff greeted us warmly, inviting us to take our time looking over the menu.
I’m glad they did, because there was plenty to look at.
The menu at The Ice Cream Company goes far beyond just ice cream.
You’ll find wraps, salads, sandwiches and burgers, with prices starting around $5 for a small salad and going up to $29 for a large, shareable sandwich. Most menu items come with a bag of chips and a dill pickle.
One standout is The Deluxe, a hefty sandwich meant to share. It’s stacked with roast beef, turkey, bacon, romaine, tomato, avocado and pesto mayo — all layered between two grilled cheese sandwiches on sourdough.
The dessert menu has several ice cream flavors, combinations and toppings.
The shop makes small-batch ice cream in-house, using a base sourced locally from Crystal Creamery, according to the company website.
Standout flavors include:
- Banana Nut
- Peanut Butter Cup
- Coffee Caramel Oreo
- Pink Burst Sherbet
- Vegan Butter Brickle
- Vegan Raspberry Dark Chocolate
Prices start at $5.90 for a single scoop. Sundaes — topped with whipped cream and a cherry — start at $6.90, while shakes begin at $8.75.
There’s also the La Palooza sundae, a 10-pound dessert loaded with scoops, syrup, whipped cream and cherries. It’s priced at $78 and made to share.
How I spent my $25 budget at Modesto ice cream shop
The reader recommended I try the “super tasty” chicken avocado sandwich — so I took their advice.
The sandwich is made with grilled chicken, avocado, lettuce, tomato, ranch and Monterey Jack cheese on sourdough for $13.52. It comes with a bag of chips and a dill pickle spear.
Drink options at The Ice Cream Company include coffee, tea and fountain sodas, with prices ranging from $1.50 for bottled water to about $3.89 for coffee.
I went with a fountain drink for $3.75.
Then came the hardest decision: dessert.
With so many options — shakes, cones, sundaes and more — I couldn’t decide.
Luckily, my toddler made the call when she spotted The Clown sundae. It’s made with your choice of ice cream and topped with a “cone clown face” for $6.90.
I picked the Peanut Butter Cup flavor.
We grabbed a booth, and our food arrived in less than 10 minutes.
My sandwich wasn’t labeled as shareable, but it was more than enough for both of us. It was flavorful, filling, well-balanced and left us wishing for one more bite.
However, the sundae stole the show.
When it arrived, my toddler lit up. Even after declaring the dish “too cute to eat,” she didn’t hesitate to dig right in.
The ice cream was rich yet light, and easily the highlight of our sweet visit.
Is Modesto ice cream shop affordable?
The Ice Cream Company offers a wide range of affordable options — from sandwiches and burgers to ice cream and shakes — with items starting at $5.
During my visit, my sandwich, drink and sundae came to $24.17. After tax and tip, the total was $28.12.
Although I went slightly over budget, it still felt like a good deal for a full meal and dessert.
Overall, The Ice Cream Company is a welcoming spot that works just as well for a quick lunch as it does for a family outing.
We’ll definitely be back to try more.
Where should I go next?
Have any ideas for where I should go next in or around Modesto? I’m exploring the area on a $25 budget.
Send your suggestions to arodriguez@modbee.com or fill out the form below.
Can’t see the form? Go to tinyurl.com/3euwab47.
