1011 East Bidwell Street, Suite 123, Folsom, 916-597-3815, @handelsfolsom

You know the saying, “Life is short, eat dessert first”? Well, my 10-year-old daughter and I did just that, and it was a great parenting decision. Who needs dinner when you can go to Handel’s? Here’s the “scoop” on Folsom’s latest sweet spot: Their ice cream—available in over 50 flavors (including fat free and no-sugar-added options) is made fresh daily in-house. Whether you pick a hand-packed quart or pint, pop (like a cake pop, but with ice cream), sundae, milkshake, cone, cup, or “hurricane,” expect friendly staff, cheery décor, and rows of ice cream freezers. My daughter went with an Oreo Dough Milkshake and said it was really good, but I had to make sure. And she was right: creamy, cold, and perfect. Lucky for me, they have something called the 4-Scoop Sampler, which I’m assuming is for indecisive people…or people who simply want four different flavors (I went with Salty Caramel Truffle, Chocolate Peanut Butter Ripple, Vanilla Caramel Brownie, and Brownie Dough). Next time you need an idea for “dinner,” Handel’s can help! 

By Julie Ryan