We visited the Charlotte ice cream shop called #1 on the planet by National Geographic
On warm Carolina nights in Steele Creek, string lights glow overhead and oldies drift through the speakers. For a moment, the shopping center fades into the background. The setup invites you to slow down, grab a seat outside and actually enjoy a scoop of ice cream instead of rushing back to the car.
This summer, I’m on the hunt for Charlotte’s best ice cream in a series I’m calling “Tristan Scoops Charlotte.” This week’s stop is Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream — a brand with nearly 80 years of experience and a serious reputation to match.
Founded in 1945 in Youngstown Ohio, Handel’s has been making its ice cream fresh in each franchise store ever since. What started as a single stand has grown into a national chain, now with four locations in our area alone. Being called the “#1 ice cream on the planet” by National Geographic is a bold claim — so we showed up ready to see if it delivered.
Old-school roots, big flavor energy
With more than 100 flavors in rotation, the menu feels almost endless. The staples are there, but they’re surrounded by mix-in-heavy creations, rich specialty combinations and fruit-forward sorbets. This is not a minimalist ice cream shop. It’s abundant by design.
It’s also the kind of place where you step up to order, confident in your choice — and then immediately reconsider when you see what everyone else is holding.
What we ordered
We started with a waffle cone filled with Buckeye ice cream, a nod to the company’s Ohio roots. The peanut butter base was subtle and sweet, letting the chocolate swirl shine through in every bite. Mini peanut butter cups were folded throughout, plentiful but balanced. The waffle cone held a portion size that can only be described as generous.
Next came the brownie sundae featuring chocolate peanut butter brownie ice cream. Even the small size could easily feed two. When you scoop the perfect bite with warm brownie, creamy ice cream, hot fudge and whipped cream, it’s rich, indulgent and over the top.
My dad gravitates toward the heavy, chocolate-packed flavors. I lean toward the playful combinations. With this lineup, we both walked away happy and already debating what to try next time.
Built on volume and consistency
Beyond cones, Handel’s offers hurricanes, shakes, sundaes and specialty creations that turn a quick stop into a full dessert event. Everything leans generous — from the mix-ins to the scoop size.
After nearly eight decades in business, Handel’s knows exactly what it’s doing: fresh-made ice cream in every store, a flavor list deep enough to require patience and portions that don’t skimp.
On our summer scoop tour, it stands out for one clear reason: you will not leave hungry.
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
Location: 4923 Trojan Dr Suite 150, Charlotte, NC 28278
Location: 20545 Torrence Chapel Road, Cornelius, NC 28031
Location: 2272 East Franklin Blvd. Gastonia, NC 28054
Location: 9716 Red Stone Drive, Indian Land, SC 29707
Cuisine: Ice cream, dessert
Instagram: @handels.steelecreek
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.
