Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream

Ice cream shop · Rockridge

Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream

Ice cream shop · Rockridge

3

5800 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618

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Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null
Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream by null

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Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater
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5800 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618 Get directions

badwalters.com
@badwalters

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5800 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618 Get directions

badwalters.com
@badwalters

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Last updated

Mar 4, 2025

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@infatuation

"After many months of waiting, former pop-up Bad Walter’s has launched their brick and mortar ice cream shop in Rockridge. Known for their mix-in-heavy flavors, like Fluffer Nutter Butter with marshmallow fluff, Slumber Party with Reese’s pieces, and Cemetery Dirt with crispy chocolate chip cookies, their lactose-free ice cream (still made with real cream) is already drawing long lines." - ricky rodriguez, julia chen 1

San Francisco’s New Restaurant Openings
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@eater

"Bad Walter’s Bootleg Ice Cream, which started as a pop-up in 2020, will leap into a permanent space next year." - Lauren Saria

Most Anticipated San Francisoc Bay Area Restaurants Opening in 2024 - Eater SF
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@eater

"Bad Walter’s Bootleg Ice Cream started as a pop-up during the pandemic in Sydney Arkin’s home kitchen. It is now moving into a permanent location at the former Smitten Ice Cream location at 5800 College Avenue in Oakland. Arkin plans to open the new shop in 2024 and is seeking funding through SMBX. The shop will feature three to four permanent flavors and three to four rotating weekly flavors, along with homemade cones, affogatos, and 'chocogatos'." - Dianne de Guzman

Bad Walter’s Bootleg Ice Cream Becomes Less Bootleg With Upcoming Oakland Shop - Eater SF
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Helene

Google
Newly opened so they’re still figuring stuff out. I got the campfire ice cream which has toasted marshmallows and candied rice crispies with fudge. It was really good. A bit on the sweeter side. Will definitely come back and try other flavors.

John DeSerio

Google
Loved the unique flavors and the location. Very friendly and gave good suggestions. Had dairy and non dairy options. I got the Mr. Potato head flavor and it was delicious. Really wanted another central spot when I walked in to see the flavors and their descriptions/ ingredients. Good vibe with people hanging out. Can't wait to go again and try a fruity flavor.

Ton T

Google
Small batch, boutique ice creams with flavors changing frequently. There were only three options when I was there. It was rich, gelato-like, sweet-salty, chunky-crunchy, flavors

SESPOOL

Google
Bad Walter's is one of the best kept secret's in the Bay Area. Maybe now that they have a proper location it will no longer be a "secret", but everyone is better for being able to access Sydney's wonderful creations. I've been scooping Bad Walter's for over a year now and look forward to the experience immensely every time. I live in San Francisco so going to get pints is quite the endeavor, not only financially and time-wise, but scheming-wise as well. I have to get the precious goods home before they melt! And guess what? It's always worth it! :) In short -- mix-in loaded pints with cute names and great creamy bases. Don't let the lack of lactose full ya, this stuff is the real deal, and if you snag one of the coveted pints before they're gone you're guaranteed to taste the happiness yourself.

Kate Laughton

Google
Best ice cream in the Berkeley/Oakland area! The flavors are unique and delicious. Extra plus that it’s lactose free, so no stomachache!

Talia Basma

Google
They are BRAND new so really they are a 4 star as they figure out some more of the business/general new business kinks BUT THEIR ICE CREAM is amazing. I don't live in oakland but since opening day, if i'm even near-ish to oakland I have tried to get some. The MF Monster is the only one I've had so far but they just release some new pints flavors so I will probably grab a few to enjoy in the coming weeks. I love that it's lactose free and so many of the flavors are just fun enough to want to try them all. The business is owned by a woman with a disability and I love supporting others who are not conglomerates bc I think successful communities are from supporting real people. Sexual Chocolate kinda reminds me of B&J's phish food but better because B&J is still owned by Unilever which supports Israel.

Chris Skieller

Google
Ice cream is my love language so when I discovered Bad Walters, in the depths of the pandemic, I knew I had found the one! Sydney is a genius with flavor— incredibly creative and not afraid to pack in the goodies. Her ice creams are indulgent, sophisticated, nostalgic (Slumber Party’s ritz cracker flavored ice cream, what??? 🤯). Did I occasionally feel crazy for setting timers for flavor drops and driving across town for a pint of ice cream? Yes. Was it worth it? Every.Single.Time. This is the sort of place that I want to keep secret so I don’t have to fight the crowds, but I think the world would be a better place if more people had the opportunity to have the transcendental experience of eating Bad Walters ice cream. It is pure joy in a pint. I loved Single Ladies so much I decided I needed to serve it at my wedding & Bad Walters even made me a custom rebrand with a more wedding appropriate name 😉

Armaan Mudarris

Google
The experience was overall Ok. The fault came with the salt content in the ice cream. The Dark Chocolate and Peanut were pretty good, but the MF Monster was extremely salty. The combination of choices wasn't very good, as they only had 4 choices. and I expected a little more from such a hyped up place.