Plaza Midwood shop sells flavorful, house-made ice cream that’s ‘worth the drive’
This spring and summer, I’m exploring Charlotte’s best ice cream spots in a series I’m calling “Tristan Scoops Charlotte.”
This week’s stop came with a lot of recommendations: Two Scoops Creamery.
Started by three best friends in 2016, Two Scoops has grown from a single shop to six locations across the Queen City. We caught up with one of the partners, Marques Johnson “MJ,” at the original Plaza Midwood location to learn what keeps people lining up for more.
The parking lot may be small, but the building makes a big statement. Bright colors and bold murals cover the exterior, and inside you’re greeted by a vibrant space filled with ice cream-themed artwork by local artist Miriam Yumet. Add in upbeat music and the steady buzz of happy customers, and it feels like summer the moment you walk through the door.
Worth the wait
Yes, the line sometimes stretches outside. No, you should not panic. It moves quickly. And once you get your scoop, do not be surprised if you hear a cheerful: “See you next week.” After one visit, that feels less like a suggestion and more like a prediction.
After nearly a decade in business, MJ still loves building the company alongside his friends. He told us he is humbled by both the local and national recognition Two Scoops has received over the years.
So what sets their ice cream apart?
According to MJ, it comes down to two things.
First, Two Scoops Creamery uses a high butter fat content and churns the ice cream directly in the Plaza Midwood store. Second, Two Scoops Creamery offers an exceptional range of flavors. More than 200 varieties rotate throughout the year, including dairy-free options.
Some recipes were passed down from an uncle in Florida, while others were invented by Sidney Waite, a partner in Two Scoops Creamery in charge of production who we labeled the “mad ice cream scientist.” We did not get to meet Sydney, but we definitely enjoyed sampling her creations.
Two Scoops: What we ordered
With this many flavors, choosing just one felt impossible. So in the name of serious journalistic investigation, we tried several. You are welcome.
Because the ice cream is truly the star at Two Scoops Creamery, we skipped the toppings and went with simple cones and cups.
Red Velvet Cake Batter is loaded with massive chunks of red velvet cake and swirls of cream cheese frosting. Every bite feels like you are eating cake and ice cream at the same time.
Mint Chocolate Chip is a classic done right. Cool, creamy and packed with chocolate pieces, it is the kind of flavor you keep going back to even when you tell yourself you are done.
Shipwrecked (chocolate base) and Cookies by the Sea (vanilla base) both feature Oreos and salted caramel mixed in. They were my dad’s favorites, even though he insists he does not like caramel. The evidence suggests otherwise.
Papi Crunch was my personal favorite. It is a yellow cereal milk ice cream packed with Cap’n Crunch berries in every bite. Apparently, this was my first time trying Cap’n Crunch, which means I have some catching up to do.
And then there is Cookie Monster. Electric blue, vanilla-based and loaded with three types of cookies, it is the kind of ice cream you devour with your eyes first. We are fairly certain it is both a kid favorite and a laundry day nightmare.
If you want to level things up, Two Scoops also offers ice cream sandwiches and beautifully decorated ice cream cakes that look like they belong on Food Network.
After sampling so many flavors, it is easy to understand why so many people recommended this spot to us. Two Scoops Creamery truly has something for everyone. Even if you do not live near one of their locations, it is worth the drive.
Grab a cone, meet some friends and hang out at the tables inside or out. Just do not be surprised if you find yourself planning your next visit before you even finish your two scoops.
Two Scoops Creamery
Location: 913 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Location: 1616 Camden Rd #100, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 3123 N Davidson St STE 102, Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 66 Union St S, Concord, NC 28025
Location: 119 Landings Dr #104, Mooresville, NC 28117
Location: 215 N Ames St Suite 1000, Matthews, NC 28105
Cuisine: Ice cream, milkshakes, custom ice cream cakes
Instagram: @twoscoopscreamery
Tristan Graziano, a Weddington High School student, enjoys golfing in his free time and hanging with his friends. Tristan can be reached on Instagram @tristan_graz03 and @tristanscoops. Jamie Graziano, aka The GrazFather, is a dad who dreams of starting his food review and travel website TheGrazFather.com. Jamie can be reached at jamie@thegrazfather.com or on Instagram @thegrazfather.