Coeur d'Alene, ID

When it is hot outside sometimes you just crave a little ice cream. I have found that the best and most inexpensive ice cream around can be found at the Washington State University Creamery. Not only does the creamery sell ice cream in Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe, but they also sell the cheese that is made on site with milk from WSU’s Knotts Dairy.

Ferdinand’s and the creamery itself are located just over the border on the WSU campus in Pullman Washington eight miles northwest of Moscow. The Creamery offers tours for students and other visitors along with a viewing room, where anyone visiting can stop by and watch the cheese and ice cream being made. The cheese is sold in large cans and also by the piece in Ferdinand’s. You can also order the cheese by mail and even join a cheese of the month club. Cougar cheese is made and sold in eight flavors ranging from smoked cheddar to dill-garlic Monterey jack.

While the cheese is really good and very reasonably priced, the ice cream is by far a decadent treat for your taste buds and your wallet. The first time I went to Ferdinand’s I took my family and the kids and we each ordered one scoop in a waffle cone. The waffle cone as you know is a pretty big cone and I was convinced that one scoop would just be a drop in the bucket. I was wrong. We were given the biggest scoops ever, all for under $2.

Ferdinand’s also has some of my favorite ice cream flavors like Cappuccino Chip, ‘Apple Cup’ Crisp, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Lemon Chiffon. The stuff is downright sinful. One tip for you: Unless you are really hungry don’t order a regular banana split. This comes with two enormous scoops of ice cream, two sundae toppings, a whole banana, and is topped with whip cream, nuts and a cherry. It is very large and gooey. Not in the mood for a cone or sundae? Try one of their malts or an ice cream sandwich. You can even get a good cup of coffee while you’re at it. You can enjoy your treats at the tables set up on the patio, or on the lower tables under umbrellas.

Ferdinand’s and the Creamery are open Monday through Friday, except holidays, and four hours prior to any home football game. For directions and more information visit their website.