For those of you who have never been to C.R.E.A.M., this may seem like an extreme exaggeration. For those lucky individuals who have experienced C.R.E.A.M., this acronym is actually quite fitting.
Berkeley is home to the first and only C.R.E.A.M., located on Telegraph Avenue between Channing Way and Durant Avenue. It prides itself on its all-natural gourmet ice cream sandwiches, which leave ice cream enthusiasts around the Bay Area speechless.
“There are really no words to describe C.R.E.A.M., but I guess life-changing comes close,” said junior Hannah Tang.
The concept of an ice cream sandwich may not seem revolutionary, but the proof is in the product. C.R.E.A.M. has 14 flavors of ice cream to choose from, including peanut butter cup sundae and cinnamon caramel. Each flavor is a perfect combination of ingredients, but, as you may have guessed from the name of the restaurant, ice cream isn’t even the focal point of the sandwich.
“The cookies are hands down my favorite part of eating at C.R.E.A.M. The contrast of the warm cookie with the chilly ice cream is perfect!” exclaimed junior Simone Hickman.
C.R.E.A.M. boasts eight cookie varieties: chocolate chip, double chocolate chip, white chocolate macadamia nut, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, butter sugar, rocky road, and turtle. Though many of these flavors are standard types of cookies, C.R.E.A.M. uses fresh ingredients and serves them warm — a definite bonus. Each cookie is baked to perfection, and they can be mixed and matched in the cookie sandwich to create a multitude of ice cream sandwich options.
In addition to the delectable ice cream sandwiches, C.R.E.A.M. also sells individual cookies, ice cream scoops, milkshakes, floats, and malts, not to mention its seven toppings.
All of C.R.E.A.M.’s delicious products help them maintain the four principles that the owners base their business on. The first principle is premium products: “top notch sandwiches made with superior ingredients,” according to their website.
The second principle is an affordable price. For only $2.00, you can purchase any handmade ice cream sandwich, crafted to your pleasing. Low prices make this shop a popular spot after school for a scrumptious treat or on the weekends for a cheap excursion.
The third principle is great customer service; C.R.E.A.M. prides itself on the respect and gratitude with which employees treat all customers. So what is the fourth and final principle?
“Fun at all times,” declared the owner of C.R.E.A.M. These four principles give C.R.E.A.M. a leg up on other ice cream parlors and have led it to become a successful business, despite being part of the highly competitive Gourmet Ghetto.
There is no debating that $2.00 is a very cheap price for such a delectable treat, and each C.R.E.A.M. employee is always smiling and excited to serve. The cashier also makes a point of saying hello and asking you how you’re doing. All of these factors indeed make C.R.E.A.M. a fun environment. But really, who wouldn’t be having fun when you have a generous scoop of ice cream flattened between two warm, freshly-baked cookies in the palm of your hands?
C.R.E.A.M. does justice to its name, leaving all customers thinking that maybe it is possible that “Cookies Rule Everything Around Me.”
