A Quick and Icy Review
Hammonds Ice Cream
3740 Sports Arena Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92110
858-717-5063
Hitomi and I were out shopping and I asked her if she was hungry. When she said “yes” I decided we would go to Phil’s BBQ since she had never been there. It was 3:00pm on a Sunday afternoon.
Needless to say that the line was around the building and when I called them to see how long it would take for “take out” I was told 30-45 minutes. Too long for us on both accounts.
I remembered that Hammonds Ice Cream had opened up a few weeks ago and since it shares the parking lot with Phil’s decided to go there. And I realize that this review will not be popular with a lot of folks, but the scars have healed from the Liberty Public Market so am ready for the onslaught of comments about this one.
The offerings of ice cream were numerous, and on paper – or on the board – they looked delicious. It was difficult to make a decision.
Hitomi loves coconut so she decided to have the coconut/pineapple ice cream on a regular cone.
I thought that the raspberry cream ice cream sounded delightful and that is what I ordered on a regular waffle cone. Small, one scoop ice cream cones was listed at $3.99 each.
I was totally surprised when the bill came to $9.69. It appears that I was charged 99 cents for the waffle cone. I complained; said I did not see a sign saying that, and the girl behind the counter walked over to a display where, in fact, it stated that fact.
However, the display that I looked at – which, by the way – looked identical to the other one, and was only 12 inches away from the one that she pointed to, did not have that listed. I don’t mind paying the extra if it is worth it, but the waffle cone was the same size as the cones across the street at Baskin and Robbins; the same size cone that is free at the Lighthouse Ice Cream store on Newport in Ocean Beach. And the cone holding Hitomi’s ice cream was the smallest cone I have ever seen in a store.
Her ice cream was, by the way, delicious. Creamy and tasty. Both the coconut and pineapple flavors were strong and tasty. I cannot say the same about the Raspberry cream, which had virtually no flavor that one could detect. It was creamy, but I’d be hard pressed to say that it was raspberry flavored.
Would I go again? No. I wouldn’t. I think it was overpriced for what was offered and not as good as the Lighthouse or BR. And to pay 99 cents for a regular waffle cone is outrageous. Sorry. One more new place I won’t be patronizing.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I was looking for a Progressive review but I did not see you discuss whether Hammonds pays its employees a living wage, uses sustainable products, or donates to Progressive causes, like the local mosque’s program for gay teens. I hate to say this but your focus on price and value sounds very Republican.
I can’t tell if this comment is serious or not…to a ice cream parlor review.
I also did not know if the comment was serious or not – but when I was notified that someone said it was “abusive” the adage – “in the mind of the beholder” came up. Someone was serious. (Must have been a Republican.)
My GOD! I think being called a republican is the worst thing I have EVER been called in my life!
Thank you for your reviews. They are much appreciated.
Thank you.
Stick with Lighthouse por favor!
Being a reviewer is an interesting situation. Just want to pass something on to you; something I find disconcerting, amusing, and upsetting, all at the same time.
As a member of “Next Door” I also posted a link to this review on that site. I was informed today that someone reported my review as “abusive” and it might be taken down from the site. In reading my review, I do not see anything that can be termed “abusive”; and so the only comment that might have offended someone is my comment about “the worst thing I have ever been called – a “Republican.”
If that offended anyone, I honestly cannot say I am sorry. If I were a registered republican at this time I would quickly change my party affiliation. But isn’t it too bad that an ice cream review had to become political.
I’m a “lead” on that site, don’t worry–I un-flagged your review. I didn’t see anything wrong with it. The exact same fool, flagged someone’s review on a massage and another’s request for baby clothes and toys to swap, as abusive. Some people have nothing better to do…
Judi. your review was exactly what it was, a review. Thanks for an honest write up about your experience. Don’t trip on the haters…
Thanks. Sometimes I wonder if it is worth it, until I realize that my reviews are the type I want to read before going to an establishment I know nothing about.
Judi: Only $9.69 for two ice cream cones ? I still remember 5 cent cones locally in the DC area as a kid. Now Rite-Aid has raised their price to $1.99 for a single scoop which was 99 cents recently. Count me out.
Love your reviews and politics.
Thanks, Gil Love what you write too!