Maple Grove
There’s nothing worse than getting stuck in a sweltering summer heat wave with no escape. Imagine the dread: You’re stuck in traffic, your air conditioning is broken and all you can think is, “wouldn’t it be convenient if an ice cream man pulled alongside me?” Unfortunately, mirages aren’t reality. But, if you’re in Maple Grove, thankfully, you can pull into any number of restaurants to cool down with a frozen dessert.
Mountain Mudd Espresso
9712 63rd Ave. N.
763.533.9683
mountainmudd.net
Though it’s popular all-year round, the Caramel Muddslide at Mountain Mudd Espresso is an excellent treat to counter the summer heat. Made with coffee, skim milk, caramel, and a special powder mix, this blended drink is the most popular frozen treat at Mountain Mudd. If you can take the heat, enjoy one of 23 Muddslide flavors outside on the deck. Mountain Mudd Espresso also serves other coffee products and specialty drinks, a scrumptious selection of coffee house pastries and … Greek food? Yep, that’s right. The folks at Mountain Mudd Espresso make their own gyros, salads, wraps and sandwiches. 16 oz. Caramel Muddslide, $4.45; 20 oz., $4.95
El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant
13572 80th Circle N.
763.493.4443
elrodeo123.com
For a distinctive ice cream treat, try El Rodeo’s fried ice cream ($3.79). A scoop of vanilla ice cream is covered in rice cereal and just slightly deep fried, giving it a warm, crispy outer coating, without melting the cool ice cream inside. The fried ice cream is drizzled with chocolate sauce and honey and topped off with one or two cherries. This dessert is the perfect end to one of El Rodeo’s authentic and affordable Mexican meals. They serve a wide variety of flavorful plates, like burritos, chimichangas, taquitos and quesadillas made with queso blanco. The cold ice cream will help offset the burn if you dared to try El Rodeo’s special green chili salsa!
