Corner Post Review —
Sparky's puts a new twist on ice cream

by Breanne Brammer, posted Nov. 9, 2011

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, like most people, food is on my mind. My mouth waters at the prospect of what will be on my family's Thanksgiving table, and no family dinner is complete without that "one dish" prepared by a relative who is attempting a new, creative version of a traditional Thanksgiving dish. That "one dish" always seems to be an exceptionally unique version of the original product.

Like the quirky relative who takes old-fashioned standards and gives them new life, Sparky's Ice Cream in downtown Columbia has delectable frozen creations that will surprise and delight you.

Depending on your taste buds, Sparky's ice cream labels could intrigue or worry you. Flavors include chi tea, white Russian, London fog, red velvet cake batter and banana Nutella. When I scanned the ice cream tubs, I quickly knew that I would require samples because who knows what lavender honey really tastes like? After a close debate between green tea and pineapple upside down cake, I decided upon the former.

Normally, I love my daily cup of chi tea, but I do not recommend a regular scoop of chi tea ice cream. When you try Sparky's chi tea ice cream, do not expect the tummy-warming and satisfactory sensation the original chi tea in a cup brings. Instead, be prepared for a more earthy and herbal taste that might confuse your taste buds.

My taste buds were perplexed when I took a sample of honey lavender ice cream. If you believe honey and lavender sound like an odd combination, you are right. A field of flowers and beehives do not bode well in ice cream. My sampling experiments might have failed, but they are great conversation starters, because few individuals can say they have tried the cream flavors that I have.

I knew I found a winner when the pineapple upside down cake ice cream hit my mouth. The creamy, smooth, homemade ice cream sensation was nicely complemented by the fresh pineapple and cake batter flavor. It was like a fresh pineapple had been chopped up in a bowl of cake batter with a hint of graham cracker sprinkled throughout and nicely frozen. Sparky's ice cream makers hit the nail on the head; the flavor was so true that it could be confused for an actual piece of cake.

For only $3, I got to enjoy the small size of Sparky's, which was plenty. The prices range from $3 for a small cup or cone to around $5 for a large. They also have floats, shakes, malts, sundaes, and banana splits. The brownie sundae is perfect if you want to taste an explosion of chocolate and warm brownie goodness. If you need some extra energy for a finals study session, go for the red bull floats. They provide the boost you need and the sweet treat you crave with the delicious combination of red bull and Sparky's ice cream. The traditional banana split can even be turned into a true Sparky product by adding endless toppings and using the featured ice cream flavors.

Sparky's has 12 core ice cream flavors and always has a variety of new choices available. No matter the weather, Sparky's has flavors for every season. The Halloween specials included candy corn, salted caramel, and maple syrup with bacon chunks. Yes, bacon and maple syrup in ice cream. Other customers assured me that the combination was more mouth watering than it sounded.

The source for the bacon in Sparky's ice cream can be found in Missouri. Sparky's uses Missouri products in their ice cream when at all possible. This includes nuts, milk and bacon. You can eat Sparky's guilt-free, knowing that you are supporting Missouri businesses.

When you walk into Sparky's, you are emerged into a quirky and unique atmosphere. Stuffed animals line the inside shelves, pastel paint is splashed across the walls and family portrait-like paintings. The owner is fond of collecting the unique artwork, and it brings back memories of the artwork that often lines your grandmother's walls. Pictures of the ice cream parlor's mascot, Sparky, are everywhere to be found. Sparky was a bulldog, and is the namesake of the establishment. He passed away several years ago but his memory remains intact with a life size statue outside the store.

Sparky's is located in the Columbia downtown district, at 21 S. Ninth St. Sparky's is open Monday-Sunday 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. and can be reached by telephone at 573-443-7400. The staff is always happy to recommend flavors and give samples. Sparky's also has a Facebook page. By liking their page, you will receive updates about new flavors and products like their Crepes, which have Nutella inside and are topped with a scoop of ice cream. Raspberry is the recommended flavor.

If you are searching for a fun item to bring to your family Thanksgiving, Sparky's sells buckets of their unique ice cream. Thanksgiving flavors include pumpkin pie, carrot cake and blueberry, but not how your grandma made them. Sparky's twist on ice cream ensures your taste buds are satisfied and your wallet is intact. You can bring your family back a pint or two for Thanksgiving, and Sparky's has gift certificates, which are perfect for any holiday gift exchange. Now you can give your mom a chance to try honey lavender ice cream at the next family Thanksgiving.

{back to homepage}