Ice Cream Quest Spotlight: Gracie and the Dudes
As my Ice Cream Quest across New Jersey continues throughout the Summer, I knew I had to kick it up a notch this month since July is “National Ice Cream Month”. I’ve gotten so many ice cream recommendations since I started my quest back in April, and Gracie and Dudes is one recommendation that was repeated over and over!
Gracie and the Dudes currently has 4 locations, but I decided to check out the one in Sea Bright (they are also located in Long Branch, Red Bank and Atlantic Highlands). I was lucky enough to meet Michelle McMullin who owns Gracie and the Dudes along with her husband, Brian, who makes all the ice cream himself.
After owning Dairy Queens and Rita’s Italian Ice franchises for about 12 years, Michelle and Brian decided it was time to start their own ice cream venture. When they started having kids, they began to think about what they were actually feeding them. That’s when they decided to try to make all natural products.
Named for their daughter, “Gracie’s” began in Atlantic Highlands at one of their previous franchise locations. They eventually bought a building in Sea Bright where they moved their shop, and as their family grew so did their business. By this point they had one son with another on the way, so the business became “Gracie and the Dudes”. In between the purchase of the building, the construction, and the opening of the store in Sea Bright , Michelle was pregnant again this time with another daughter. Sadie now has her own shop at their original location in Atlantic Highlands called “Sadie’s Sundaes”, which is the same shop, same ice cream, with just a little name change.
All together, Gracie and the Dudes has four locations in New Jersey and each of them have a special character. The Sea Bright store is right across from the beach, and has been built twice thanks to Hurricane Sandy. You can grab some ice cream and head to the beach, enjoying a view of the ocean like this:
This store and their Long Branch location also have sprinkle machines, which was pretty amazing!
Their Long Branch location is their largest location and is situated right at the entrance to Pier Village. It is also the only store that is under strict Rabbinical supervision. I recently saw their new location in Red Bank location the last time I was there, which is perfectly situation as a concession at Riverside Gardens Park. This location allows you to overlook the river and experience anything going on at the park including outdoor movies, concerts, etc. Here is my picture of the view from Riverside Gardens Park:
Their ice cream is unique for a few reasons. They use a high butterfat and a low overrun, meaning that their cream has a good bit of fat left in it. They don’t use eggs or custard base as a substitute for good old fashioned cream, and they don’t pump a lot of air into it. According to Michelle, if you see ice cream that’s been “Extra churned” or if you get a cone that’s huge but feels light as a feather, that ice cream has a lot of air into. More air equals more profit. For Gracie and the Dudes, they prefer quality over quantity. They would rather put out a product they are proud of, and make a little less money.
Another thing that makes their ice cream unique is that they don’t use artificial color or flavor or high fructose corn syrup. Flavors like pistachio and mint aren’t green, and their strawberry is a light pink versus a bright red etc. They also have a line of Italian Ices and Sorbets, which taste like the actual fruit from which they are made.
I got to try several flavors including Strawberry, Chocolate Chocolate Chop, Amaretto Biscotti, Cappuccino Chunk, Pistachio, and Mint Chocolate Chip.
They are known for their chocolate ice cream. It’s super dark, it’s super rich, and people just love it. Other popular flavors include their own inventions: Cinnamon oatmeal cookie, Cappuccino Chunk, and Swiss Chocolate Orange. Of course you can’t go wrong with popular standard flavors like cake batter, cookies and cream, and chocolate chip cookie dough.
Their ice cream is flavorful, not icy, and extremely affordable. I really was blown away with each ice cream I tasted and found it difficult to pick a favorite. Their ice cream is made every day so you don’t need to worry about it sitting long on a shelf getting freezer burn either!
Thank you to Michelle and Brian for letting me get the “inside scoop” and try your delicious ice cream! I will DEFINITELY be back!
For more information on where to find ice cream in New Jersey. Click on NJIB’s Ice Cream in New Jersey Guide.
Additional Info on Gracie and the Dudes:
Addresses: 1062 Ocean Avenue, Sea Bright NJ
52 Laird Street, Long Branch, NJ
40 West Front St, Red Bank, NJ
Sadie’s Sundaes; 973 Hwy 36, Atlantic Highlands, NJ
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