Contest of the creamy

The burning heat typical of Maryland summers has finally arrived and sometimes keeping cool with the creamy classic is the best—not to mention the tastiest—option. Not all ice cream is made equal, however, and for Blazers spending time at home, there are plenty of choices right here in Downtown Silver Spring. Luckily, SCO is here to review the best destinations to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Variety
When it comes to options, no shop can compete with Cold Stone Creamery. From the different "add-ons" (dipped waffle bowls are an option) to the row of glass boxes with a unique topping each and the hearty sundae choices for the daring (churro caramel cave, anyone?), the number of ways in which customers can enjoy their ice cream is overwhelming. Although Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream boasts the same array of dessert types, the store does not come close to satisfying the every whim of an ice-cream lover.

Exoticness
Cold Stone may offer the most add-ons, but when it comes to flavor, Moorenko's Ice Cream has the most unique choices by far. Mouth-watering creations such as fresh ginger, honey lavender, rum raisin and lemon buttermilk with berries are great if looking for savor that packs a punch out of the ordinary. Cold Stone and Ben & Jerry's offer a rainbow of flavors, but don't let that fool you: most are simply variations of the classic chocolate and fruity flavors. Ben & Jerry's does have one rather interesting option, however: Phish Food. This wacky flavor involves mini fish made from fudge interspersed in traditional chocolate caramel ice cream. Talk about fun for the kids.

Ambience
The café in Silver Spring is the only Moorenko's out there and the lack of corporate touch is evident in the shop's quirky decorations. The shelves on the mint green walls covered with cow knick knacks, the children's drawings hanging behind the counter and the squashy, striped sofas all create a homey atmosphere that makes traveling a ways out to eat there worth it. Despite more convenient locations, Cold Stone's oddly formal appearance due to its dark red, brown and black color scheme and Ben & Jerry's resemblance of a fast food place make the two pale in comparison to Moorenko's.

Price
Although Cold Stone has the cheapest kid size at $3.29, Moorenko's is the least expensive option overall with prices ranging from $4.20 to $4.75, Cold Stone's pricing following close behind. At first, Ben & Jerry's seems like a splurge with its large size costing a whopping $5.99, but its huge portions make even a small size contain more than enough ice cream to satisfy your craving.

The Winner
Overall, Moorenko's Ice Cream is the best bet. The exotic richness and welcoming atmosphere guarantee a good time, although Cold Stone's bold array of add-ons is well worth an honorable mention. Ben & Jerry's is quite the delicious catch but, ultimately, lacks real novelty. But really, ice cream from any of these restaurants will be a pleasing choice as the summer wears on. Use it to relax on a lazy afternoon, celebrate on a night with family or friends or indulge yourself on a rainy day—either way, this is a tasty escape from the summer heat that you can't miss.