Framingham

I was out running errands and discovered that Mad Willie's was nearby and had winter hours. The storefront is right on that little chunk of Route 30 that splits off of Route 9 and then merges back; there's a relatively small parking lot shared with a couple of buildings, but on a Wednesday afternoon there wasn't much going on so there was plenty of available space. There are a few tables out front, which you wouldn't expect for early February, but it was very sunny and just above freezing, so it was actually a fine place to sit and at least start on some ice cream (fulfilling my role as a stereotypical ice-cream-obsessed New Englander.)

There's also indoor seating - a window bench and a couple of tables. There were a couple of people there, at what would otherwise be a completely dead time, which is encouraging as far as them having enough business to stay open.

They have a broad menu - aside from Proper Ice Cream, they have an extensive Frozen Yogurt list, Soft Serve (I didn't notice at the time but they have both Cinnamon and Ginger listed as Soft Serve flavors), Richie's Slush, Smoothies, Frappes, Floats, Milk Shakes and Sundaes. Toppings include Butter Finger and Heath Bar; I didn't see Sprinkles or Jimmies on the menu but they probably have them.

The large cup there is 4½" across (115mm) which is large even by New England standards! They also have a range of cones, and it looks like the Italian Ice servings follow the same set of scales.

First Visit

I started with Death By Chocolate - rich chocolate flavor, shading towards dark but not overwhelmingly so; had big chocolate chunks as well. Since it was so sunny out, I sat at the outdoor picnic bench and soaked up the sun (and the chocolate...)

I actually took the rest home and finished the Maple Walnut later in the afternoon. Big walnut chunks and a pronounced maple flavor in a creamy ice cream - exactly what Maple Walnut is supposed to be.

Next Visit

Green Monster, Butter Pecan, and German Chocolate Cake all stood out as future choices; they also have Maine Black Bear which I need to try one of these days. They also have about twice as many Frozen Yogurt flavors as ice cream flavors, including Grapenut and Cotton Candy Krunch.

I had to look up what a "Cry Baby Slush" was - turns out that's Sour Apple. Not for me, but an interesting novelty if you're into that...