For a certain generation, the beckoning jingle of the Good Humor ice cream truck was a summertime thrill that had frantic children sprinting home to beg for quarters and some parents rolling their eyes as it wound its way through neighborhoods.
Andrew Greenfield fondly remembers the ice cream truck of his Fairfax youth with its decal menu of Creamsicles, strawberry shortcake bars, Bomb Pops and Screwball cones, but saw it as a slice of Americana needing an update for the modern day.
Last month, he and business partner Dan Couvreur introduced Marin to Blue Cone, a new wave of roving ice cream. They worked with Fastport by Honda to customize an all-electric, pedal-assisted eQuad equipped with a commercial freezer that’s making the rounds at local parks and events.
“That truck as a kid is still the ice cream truck today,” said Greenfield, who lived in New York for 10 years before recently moving back to San Francisco. “Ice cream has moved into new frontiers, but the truck has been the same for 60 years.”
To give the old-school concept an upgrade, he and Couvreur partnered with a family-owned producer to make what Greenfield calls a super-premium ice cream free of GMOs and artificial dyes.
“By definition, there needs to be at least 10% milkfat to call it ice cream versus a frozen dairy dessert,” Greenfield said.
Blue Cone’s comes in at 14%, giving it a richer, creamier consistency than standard ice cream.
“The goal is to bring a really good ice cream to life in the community that raised me,” said Greenfield of his side job, adding that he and his wife both went to White Hill Middle School and Archie Williams High School.
Flavors mix staples such as Oreo, mint chip, blackberry lemon bar and a vegan option with crowdsourced additions that reflect the season. At this weekend’s Biketoberfest in Fairfax (see more information below), they’ll debut pumpkin spice gingersnap, the customer vote win over maple walnut crunch and caramel apple pie.
“The goal is to bring a really good ice cream to life in the community that raised me,” said Marin native Andrew Greenfield of Blue Cone. (Courtesy of Blue Cone)
Ice cream is hand-scooped into two-scoop portions at a commissary kitchen in San Anselmo the day it’s served and packaged in compostable cups with domed lids. Chocolate fudge and caramel sauces are added on-site at no extra charge.
Find Blue Cone from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, or until the ice cream is gone, at Biketoberfest in downtown Fairfax, or view the upcoming schedule at blueconelabs.com.
Bikes and brews
Fairfax taps into its mountain biking roots with rides, brews, food and live music at its 20th annual Biketoberfest from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday.
Join one of the group rides for beginner through advanced cyclists from 9 to 11 a.m., or head straight to the festival in the parking lot adjacent to Splitrock Tap & Wheel.
The festival is free to roam, or purchase a ticket for unlimited beer, cider and hard kombucha tastings from noon until 5 p.m. from Fairfax Brewing Co., Hidden Splendor Beer, Pond Farm Brewing Co., Fieldwork Brewing Co., Adobe Creek Brewing, Drake’s Brewing Co., Original Pattern Brewing Co., Golden State Cider, Boochcraft, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and 15 additional Bay Area breweries.
Biketoberfest returns to Fairfax on Saturday. (Courtesy of Biketoberfest)
Food and drinks are available from Novato-based Ultimate Souvlaki, San Rafael’s Red Whale Coffee and the new Blue Cone ice cream eQuad. The El Yucateco Taco Truck will serve tacos, burritos, quesadillas, cochinita pibil and panuchos ahead of opening its Mayan restaurant at 819 Fourth St. in San Rafael.
Live music from the Pulsators, SunHunter and Loma Alta is from 1 to 6 p.m., and local bike shops, apparel makers and other exhibitors will showcase gear and goods throughout the festival. Kids can participate in a bike rodeo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.
Beer-tasting tickets with a commemorative glass are $45 before Friday and $60 at the event in Fairfax. VIP backstage lounge access ($50, or $90 with beer tastings) at Tommy Breeze hatmaker headquarters includes a complimentary cocktail bar from Sausalito Liquor Co., snacks from sponsors and indoor restrooms.
Find ticket links and ride details at marintrailstewards.org/biketoberfest. Proceeds support Marin Trail Stewards’ trail building, maintenance and stewardship programs across Marin County.
Leanne Battelle is a freelance food writer and restaurant columnist. Email her at ij.lbattelle@gmail.com or follow The Real Deal Marin at therealdealmarin.com for more on local food news.
Dining and Cooking