Peterson's Ice Cream Depot LLC

We have had friends declare this the best ice cream in America. So we decided to head to Petersons ourselves. It's a very cute and busy outlet. The ice cream is tasty and also very expensive. They have a limited menu and have seasonal specials too.

The ice cream was okay. Not better or worse than in chains like Ben and Jerry but with a limited choice of 8 flavors. The atmosphere was uninviting - a patch of asphalt with few chairs leaned against 2-3 tables indicating that they were off limits. There was an unenthusiastic teenager at the register who charged us total of $24.52 for 2 scoops in one cup and 1 scoop in another. Astonished by the price we asked him the cost per scoop and he answered that it was $7. Fortunately we noticed a price list on the wall around the corner and realized that we were overcharged. Returned to the front window and confronted the teen who very casually returned $7. On top of that their spoons were defective and cut the inside of my lip and my daughter’s. We realized that only after getting home and complaining to each other about bloody inner lip. Not a place I would go to again.

A very cute ice-cream shop, we love the blueberry flavors, tried so many times, highly recommended when in clifton town. They close during the winter so make sure to check their operation time :)

The ice cream is amazing here! Definitely a must if you are in the area. If we didn’t see the amount of people walking off with ice cream, we wouldn’t have encountered such an amazing spot. I got the coffee flavor. The name is something different on the menu but it has buts of coffee bean in it and it seriously balances out the ice cream! 💯

ice cream was flavorful -however, the prices were outrageous. I understand inflation yet this was ridiculous considering the size of the product. The portions were considerably small despite the high price of $6.50. -you’re better off going to McDonald’s if the machine is working.

I visited on a Saturday evening to have ice gram as summer ended. The story of this small business and its family origins proved quite engaging as I read online, so I decided to see what leads people to be fans. The service from who I presume to be students at both counters struck me as kind-spirited and sincerely well-intentioned. The grounds have been maintained well and allow for seating of around 10-15 people comfortably around the building. I ordered a lemon sorbet (not pictured) and a banana split with banana and blackberry ice cream (I am not a huge chocolate or nut fan so a number of other flavors were less appealing to me). The line grew shortly after my order, so I am glad I ordered when I did. The sorbet had an assertively tart lemon flavor which I liked. The texture could have been smoother, as at times I felt myself prying little balls the consistency of shaved ice. The banana ice cream had a deep banana flavor as I was hoping. I would have liked a similarly deep flavor from the blackberry ice cream which was more subtle for me. Both ice creams had the uniform proper smooth texture. The demeanor of the staff, of whom I could see four working a busy Saturday, was charming even with a few minor hiccups along the way (e.g., calling for Michelle instead of Michael for pickup, wait of ten minutes between getting the sorbet and split, missing a topping on my split). The total cost came to about $15 which seemed a few dollars higher than what I would expect for three scoops in this area. A little more training of the students maybe would help keep the line and quality flowing well, but service overall was far from lacking on my visit especially on a Saturday. I can readily see why folks flock to this place for a frozen treat at any time they are open.

This is a late response to the previous review I posted. In my original review I generally discussed the lack of depth in the flavors of the products offered at this facility. This was the response I received. "Your review bothered me and then I began thinking about it. How does an ice cream shop stay in business for 17 years (with growing sales every year) by serving a "bland" product? Why are there long lines during on weekends and summer evenings? Pretty sure they're not going to wait to order "bland" ice cream? How have we been voted by customers as "Best Ice Cream" in the area 4 times? Who would vote for a business that doesn't offer a great product? Why would you return a few times if you were so dissapointed after your first visit? I noticed in your review history that nearly half of your reviews are either 1 or 2 star reviews and I find that interesting. Not sure what is going on with that. Please don't return. Tom Peterson - Co - Owner " This was the first time I received a response with such apparent thought and passion, along with a request not to return from the co-owner. I feel compelled to address some of the points raised in this defensive response. Firstly, it would be enlightening to understand the details behind the "Best Ice Cream" vote in such a small area like Clifton, VA. Let's face it, Clifton is a tiny place with only a quaint railroad street, a cafe, and an Italian restaurant—hardly a competitive landscape for desserts. It's safe to assume that the average consumer here isn't seeking a sophisticated experience but rather a quick indulgence, and likely judges products on very basic criteria. Personally, I've ended up here a few times by chance, and I always give things a fair shot before forming an opinion, so take that into account. To add some sophistication, I'd suggest offering products with temperature contrasts, like warm fudge or brownies alongside your cold cream, or larger, layered dishes with crunchy textures that offer a more complex flavor profile. As a business owner in the DMV area, it seems a bit naive to boast about 17 years of business with supposedly increasing sales each year, especially considering the obvious population growth in the area. It's high time for business owners to take serious and detailed criticism to heart, particularly when it concerns the quality of their products rather than just customer service. Returning to the main issue, if you claim to be the best, it's crucial that customers agree. But if your product fails to leave a lasting impression, perhaps it's time to seriously consider feedback from those who are essentially paying your salary. Good luck with the business this year and hold yourself accountable when humility shows its face. I will be back.

So glad we stopped at Peterson's. We wanted something, but after a big lunch, didn't really want dinner. After spending a couple of hours canoeing on a nearby lake, we thought ice cream would be a tasty treat. The dogs were in tow, they are always up for a pup cup. We decided to split a brownie sundae with one scoop of lockdown therapy (Graham cracker ice cream) and happy ending (cookie dough). The sundae included hot fudge, caramel sauce, oreo crumbles, cookie pieces, whipped cream, and a cherry. A great treat for us and the pups at a very affordable price (only $8 plus tip). The line was long but moved quickly. We waited approximately 30 minutes, but the line was almost to the sidewalk out front when we arrived. There were so many options, we had time to really read through the menu. Plus, the puppies loved all of the attention they received. We will definitely stop at Peterson's next time we are in the area.