Long lines swirling from this ice cream stand testify to the everlasting appeal of the cone.
This South Bay institution is known for its unapologetically rich ice cream, made fresh daily in batches and stocked with generous amounts of fruit, caramel and other goodies. Long lines are the norm on warm nights and on Two Buck Tuesdays, when locals queue up for scoops of Graham Central Station—an alluring meld of chocolate malt and graham crackers— and super-creamy Banana Cream Pie, both top-sellers. Kids, on the other hand, are fond of color-packed selections like Cotton Candy or Blue Moon, aka blue raspberry.
Malted milkshakes and massive banana splits are menu mainstays, and seasonal offerings include pumpkin pie ice cream, available in autumn, and a fresh peach sundae, served in summer. One of only three California locations, Handel’s is located in a modern strip mall yet sports all the trappings of a classic ice cream stand, from cheerful teens serving cones through tiny service windows to children dancing with glee and smitten couples holding hands.
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt
1882 South Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
424.247.8861 | HandelsIceCream.com
ILLUSTRATION BY JAY BROCKMAN