Handel's Homemade Ice Cream has been scooping small-batch, made-fresh-daily ice cream since 1945 in Youngstown, Ohio. With over 100 rotating flavors across ice cream, sherbet, sorbet, and Italian ices — plus indulgent sundaes, hurricanes, shakes, and Handel Pops — it's earned a reputation as one of America's best independent ice cream chains, including a #1 ranking from National Geographic Magazine.
Signature items
Ranked in Top 100 Ice Creams in the World by Taste Atlas (2023)
Blended with your choice of candy bar or mix-in
100+ flavors available by the pint or quart
Autumn seasonal flavor featuring real pumpkin spice.
Price variesHoliday classic returned each winter season.
Price variesFall favorite with real caramel and apple pieces.
Price variesHandel's rotates 100+ flavors across four base categories. Here's a snapshot of standout options in each.
| Flavor | Category | Dietary Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Butter Pecan | Ice Cream | Contains nuts |
| Black Raspberry | Ice Cream / Sherbet | Available in both |
| Mango Sorbet | Sorbet | Vegan, gluten-free |
| Blue Moon | Ice Cream / Italian Ice | Available in both |
| Non-Dairy Coffee Truffle | Non-Dairy | Vegan |
| Pumpkin Pie | Ice Cream | Seasonal |
| Lemon | Italian Ice | Vegan, gluten-free |
| Pink Champagne | Sherbet | Fan favorite |
Handel's sits in the premium homemade category. Here's how it stacks up against other popular ice cream brands.
| Category | Handel's | Cold Stone Creamery | Dairy Queen | Rita's Italian Ice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single scoop cone | Price varies by location | ~$5–$6 | ~$3–$4 | ~$3–$4 |
| Mix-in / blended treat | Hurricane (price varies) | Signature Creation ~$6–$8 | Blizzard ~$4–$6 | Gelati ~$4–$5 |
| Sundae | Price varies | ~$7–$9 | ~$4–$6 | N/A |
| Take-home pint | Price varies | ~$10–$12 | ~$5–$7 (packaged) | N/A |
| Non-dairy option | Yes — multiple sorbets & almond milk | Limited | Limited | Yes — Italian ices |
| Flavor count | 100+ | ~50+ | ~20 standard | ~60+ |
Handel's Homemade Ice Cream was founded in 1945 by Alice Handel in Youngstown, Ohio, with a simple and enduring philosophy: make ice cream fresh every single day using only the finest ingredients. That commitment has never wavered across eight decades and multiple generations of ownership. Each Handel's location still churns its ice cream on-site daily, which means every scoop you get is made that morning — never frozen in a warehouse or shipped from a central factory.
The brand earned its national reputation the old-fashioned way: one exceptional scoop at a time. National Geographic Magazine once declared Handel's the #1 ice cream on the planet in their "10 Best of Everything" guide, and the Butter Pecan flavor earned a spot on Taste Atlas's prestigious Top 100 Ice Creams in the World list in 2023. Today the brand has grown to locations across more than a dozen states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Florida, Georgia, California, and beyond, operating as a franchise while maintaining its hometown quality standards.
With a rotating roster of over 100 flavors spanning traditional ice cream, dairy-free sorbets, sherbets, and Italian ices, Handel's has something for nearly every palate. Seasonal specials like Pumpkin Pie and Eggnog keep regulars coming back year-round, while signature items like the Hurricane (a mix-in blended treat similar to a Blizzard), Handel Pops, and specialty sundaes round out a menu that balances nostalgia with variety.
Find your nearest Handel's location, check seasonal flavors, and confirm today's pricing on the official site.
Find a Handel's near youHandel's churns its ice cream fresh on-site every single day at each location — it's never mass-produced off-site or shipped from a central plant. That daily production commitment, started by founder Alice Handel in 1945, is what gives Handel's ice cream its exceptionally fresh, creamy texture that has earned it national recognition.
Handel's rotates over 100 flavors across four categories: traditional ice cream, non-dairy options (including sorbets and almond milk-based varieties), sherbets, and Italian ices. The exact lineup varies by season and location, so flavor availability can differ from store to store.
Yes. Handel's offers a solid selection of non-dairy options including fruit sorbets (Mango, Mixed Berry, Strawberry, Pomegranate, Vanilla Pineapple), almond milk-based ice creams, coconut milk options, and Italian ices. Most sorbets and Italian ices are naturally vegan and gluten-free. Always confirm with your local store for the current non-dairy lineup.
A Hurricane is Handel's signature mix-in frozen treat, similar in concept to a Dairy Queen Blizzard or Cold Stone Creation. It starts with vanilla ice cream and is blended together with your choice of candy bar or mix-in — options include OREO®, Reese's®, Snickers®, M&M'S®, Butterfinger®, cookie dough, Heath®, and more.
No — Handel's does not list prices on their official website. Pricing is set by each individual franchised location and varies based on region, size, and item type. The best way to get current pricing is to call your local Handel's or stop in. Prices at Handel's are generally in line with premium homemade ice cream shops.
Handel's operates locations across more than a dozen U.S. states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, California, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oregon. Use the store locator at handelsicecream.com to find the closest location to you.
Butter Pecan is arguably Handel's most celebrated flavor — it was ranked in the Top 100 Ice Creams in the World by Taste Atlas in 2023. Other perennial favorites include Black Raspberry, Mint Chocolate Chip, Buckeye (a chocolate-peanut butter Ohio staple), and the Brownie Dough. Seasonal flavors like Pumpkin Pie and Eggnog also generate strong seasonal demand.
Yes — Handel's provides catering services for events including parties, corporate gatherings, and community events. They also offer gift cards and a fundraising program for schools and nonprofits. Contact your local Handel's location directly to discuss catering availability and pricing.
Handel's operates as a franchise system, meaning individual locations are owned and operated by local franchisees under the Handel's brand and quality standards. This franchise model has allowed the brand to grow well beyond its Youngstown, Ohio roots while maintaining the requirement that ice cream be made fresh on-site daily at every location.