Nice to see another ice cream joint in Vista. Yelp and Handel’s was holding an Elite Event to celebrate the new shop so I signed up to check it out. Driving up I noticed a cool mural across the street. When I first visited Maggie in Vista we would get cool treats at Pepper Tree Frosty. Great classic ice cream shop.
At Handel’s you order at the window and there are chairs and tables to eat outside.
I ordered a waffle cone with lime, peach, and orange pineapple flavors.
The orange pineapple had an interesting mix of sweet and tangy flavor. I tasted some small pineapple pieces. Waffle cone had a nice crunch and mild sweetness. I don’t know what happened to the lime and peach flavors. I did enjoy the rich creamy orange and pineapple ice cream.
Thanks to Yelp and Handel’s for the ice cream and a look at how Vista has changed over the years. Much has changed from 15 years ago when Maggie lived here. The apartments were mostly inexpensive 2 story buildings with single pane windows from the 1970’s.
Now I’m seeing 4 story luxury apartments with dual pane low-E glass. The unique mom and pop stores are being replaced by national chain stores. Dusty downtown is getting refurbished and commercialized.
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
207 Main St
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 295-0636
Cool pictures of the artwork & mural! Yes it’s weird to see how much things have changed in Vista.
Thanks! That’s cool the artist liked Pepper Tree Frosty too.
Handel’s is really expanding-locations in eleven states! I remember the drive South to Ohio for dinner with family friends then stopping for ice cream at Handel’s on the way home; that monthly ritual is still a fresh memory, decades later.
I remember my first visit to Handel’s maybe 10 years ago when I was in Palos Verdes. Great tasting ice cream.
They really are expanding – there’s going to be (or it might have opened) one in Eastlake as well. The cones are huge and there’s lots of choice!
That’s great you won’t have to travel far to get some tasty ice cream.