Cool Treats at Klavon’s Ice Cream ~ Pittsburgh, PA

I enjoy entering contests. I also enjoy winning things. So I was thrilled when I won a contest at work and was awarded with a selection of gift cards for local businesses in Pittsburgh.

One of those places was Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor.

I’d never heard of Klavon’s, but I was pretty excited to have an excuse to visit the Strip District for a cool treat. My husband and I love ice cream and we really love mom and pop type businesses. This fit the bill. Especially since I had a gift card!

So off to the strip we went. Anticipation was high as we looked for a parking spot. And will you “looky there!?” We found free parking!

It was Memorial Day, so the usual crowds were rather diminished. Save for a few other sweet toothed souls, we had the place to ourselves.

There were chalkboards full of goodies to choose from. Everything from sundaes, splits, floats, shakes and coffee. Penn State Creamery provides the ice cream. Klavon’s provides the atmosphere.

Bar stools lined the bar. Shelves were stocked with old fashioned candies. The lighting and architecture itself heralded an almost forgotten era.

I was in heaven.

Until we paid the bill. Unfortunately, the cashier wasn’t familiar in using gift cards. So after attempting twice she stated that the card was invalid. I had just checked the balance, so I knew that to not be true. Rather than press the issue and risk my sweets melting, I forked over the $10 for our 4 scoops of ice cream.

And because I’m cheap… each icey swallow was a bit thicker than the one before it.

I’m not one to ever raise a question or press an issue. And we really did enjoy our little jaunt in the strip. But I’ve got to admit, I am a bit jaded. So much so, that my unused gift card will probably forever remain unused. I highly doubt I will be back. And that is sad. It was a nice place. But my sole purpose in going was to use the gift card. It’s even more sad that the cashier didn’t even attempt to ask for help. Especially since they weren’t busy. But it is what it is. This will not be our ice cream destination of choice. That, we are still on the hunt for.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Mine is chocolate chip cookie dough.

Do you have a favorite ice cream parlor? We need new places to try. Bonus points if it’s in Pittsburgh area!