As the weather shifts, freezing winds are replaced by warm summer nights that practically beg for a cold, sweet treat in hand. This month, I visited Betty Rae’s, a beloved regional ice cream chain that just opened its doors in Lawrence for the first time on February 21st. Founded in 2016, Betty Rae’s quickly rose in popularity and spread rapidly across the Midwest. The original location in Kansas City, MO, was praised for its innovative flavors and community-oriented atmosphere, but I had one question that I hoped my review would answer. Will the quality standards and local charm follow as the chain crosses state lines?
Salted Caramel (8/10)
Sweet and nostalgic, “Salted Caramel” is a sugar-lover’s paradise. The base is thick and creamy, and the generous swirl of caramel sauce brings out a salty contrast. Despite it not being a distinctly creative flavor, Betty Rae’s captures a different aspect of salted caramel that is both a flavorful and emotional experience. However, this flavor is best consumed in small amounts, rather than in large, double-scoop cones. After the first few bites, the sugary caramel begins to overwhelm the salt, and the whole flavor is lost to an overwhelming sweetness. Still, “Salted Caramel” is perfect for anyone looking for a flavor that does not think too far outside the box.
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Non-Dairy Chocolate (4/10)
This flavor did not particularly stand out to me. Its smooth texture resembles classic dairy ice cream. However, its flavor fell a bit short. The initial flavor is unrecognizable as chocolate and is instead overwhelmed by the taste of the coconut milk. Sweetened with agave, this ice cream offers a healthier option, which is great in theory. However, in practice, the agave gave it a distinct, planty flavor and did not necessarily sweeten the ice cream enough. Even so, it is not overall unpleasant. The “Non-Dairy Chocolate” is a solid option for anyone looking for a healthier, dairy-free option, as long as they are not too invested in it actually tasting like chocolate.
Cookie Dough (7/10)
When it comes to ice cream, cookie dough is a classic. There is a subtly sweet base flavor, which is enhanced by delicious chunks of chocolate chip cookie dough. While it is a simple flavor, the hints of vanilla and mild taste make this ideal for anyone who considers themselves an ice cream purist. However, it was disappointing how sparse the actual pieces of cookie dough were. In each spoonful, there was one, maybe two, pieces of dough, making it more of an accent rather than the main flavor. Still, “Cookie Dough” is a pleasant, if somewhat bland, choice if you appreciate classic flavors.
Goat Cheese, Apricot, and Candied Walnut (2/10)
This was by far one of the most unique flavors on the menu; unfortunately, it landed at the bottom of the pyramid out of the flavors that were sampled. The initial taste is both sweet and savory, and when accompanied by the creamy texture, it is unlike any other dessert. The aftertaste is where everything really goes downhill. Following the initial medley of flavors, there is an overpowering wave of goat cheese, creating an unending taste of cheese. With a particularly bold flavor, “Goat Cheese, Apricot, and Candied Walnut” is polarizing; most people will either love it or hate it, with few in between. So, if considering, be aware that this flavor is for the true, die-hard goat cheese fans.
The mission of my visit was to see if Betty Rae’s could hold its own against other Lawrence ice cream establishments. Unfortunately, the commercialized atmosphere lacked much character beyond inspirational ice cream puns decorating the walls. For higher prices, the flavors I sampled were not consistently good enough for me to justify spending more than five dollars on a single scoop. Still, ice cream is always a good idea, so if you are nearby and looking for a sweet treat, stop by Betty Rae’s and explore Lawrence’s newest ice cream store.
