Andover

I think of J.P. Licks as one of those chains that's everywhere... but in fact there are only 17 of them, all in Massachusetts. They've just done a really good job of being in places you'd actually run into them; I used to hit the Charles Street location walking back from my office to the Charles/MGH MBTA stop; it's right next to (the recently closed) Savenor's, Julia Child's favorite butcher shop.

The last one I went into was in Andover and, being in the outer suburbs, had lots of indoor table space, art on the walls, and generously sized bathrooms. They're open later than usual (10pm, 11 on weekends, in the summer at least) and had just started doing Affogato (they're actually pretty well known for their coffee, which is why we were there - after a pleasant walk from the Gati Thai Bistro, where we were the last table and didn't want to keep them open just for coffee.)

If you're picking something up for me: I haven't been there nearly enough to be a regular and have strong opinions, but looking at their current menu I want to try their new Thai Iced Tea flavor - but not in an Affogato, I'd probably make that with Maple Butter Walnut (but see elsewhere for how a takeout affogato is just a degenerate latte.)

(Thanks again to @mem_somerville@mastodon.social for mentioning J.P. Licks in the original thread that inspired this blog.)