Glacier Ice Cream & Gelato ~ Colorado chain : Castle Rock

Latest visit: Nov 2024 (Castle Rock)

First visit: Jul 2009 (Boulder)

Here's yet another establishment serving food that has suffered hard times. Best I can tell, they are now down to three locations: Boulder (only one now), Fort Collins, and this one in Castle Rock.

So after parting ways with Old Boss at Granelli's, I walked a block over to Glacier to squeeze in its annual visit. I had a single cappuccino brownie ice cream in a waffle cone. I've been so spoiled getting overserved that I feel cheated when I get the right amount. But that's OK, I don't really need any more calories. But it sure was good! I would have gone for gelato but I wasn't enamored with the flavor selection. 

Super expensive for what you get, and one can see why all these places are going out of business. Not sure how they're going to solve this problem. It's not just the food costs, it's the labor. Minimum wage is at an unsustainable high level here in Colorado. Owners have no choice but to raise prices to cover their costs. Except young families can't afford the freight, which is your primary ice cream audience. The further we get from zero, the less people can participate in the economy. I'll say that phrase over and over. I hope to come back next year, but I have to wonder will they even be here then?

---original 4/15/23 review

After eating at the Castle Cafe, I visited one record shop and then wanted a craft beer. Mrs. RJG said she wanted "nieve", Spanish slang for ice cream (means snow - helado being more formal). Guess who won that argument especially considering our lunch didn't go over too well?

I remembered the name Glacier, but could not place it until I checked my personal database. Sure enough, we had gone one time in Boulder during our townhome years (on July 4th no less). This is only our second time back. The location sits just outside of the old downtown in a bustling new urban district known as the Riverwalk. It's only a block from Granelli's where Old Boss and I enjoyed a lunch last December (as noted here in the RJG). 

What's nice about Glacier is you can choose between gelato or ice cream, just as the name suggests. In recent years, we've both favored gelato as it's more rich and creamy. Though sometimes I want the more chewy ice cream. Mrs. RJG finally learned that a "small cup" is plenty, as she oftentimes will load up a waffle cone with 3 scoops and then feel terrible later. Ya-huh. I have no such issues enjoying a small portion as it adds up nicely while eating. I tried the Cappuccino and she had the Nutella. Both were absolutely delicious. This is some really excellent gelato, and worth more visits than every 14 years. I think we can manage that...

Though they're a chain, they don't seem to have central ownership. Best I can tell they have 2 locations in Boulder, one each in Greenwood Village (Denver suburb) and Fort Collins - and the one here.

7/4/09; 4/15/23 (new entry); 11/1/24