115 Degrees and Not Melting
 

By:

Ashley Baire

Seth Walters

Michael Andersen

 

         Yuma, Arizona is the sunniest place in the United States with 90% of the year being clear skies. With these statistics many wonder how we 'Yumans' do not go mad! Well, the city of Yuma has interstate 8 running directly through it, and only takes 25 minutes to pass through. Which could easily surpass the beautiful culture that lies within. However if you make one stop into the Solano's Ice Cream Factory, you just might get a glimpse into what little ol' Yuma is all about! With the sun beating down on us 242 days of the year, what makes it bearable to live here? The community of course is lovely, but years passed how did we ever survive without something to keep us cool? Well that is exactly what the Solano family understood and welcomed to our community.  

 

There are a wide variety of flavors to choose from. There could be as many as 24 available flavors to choose from which can vary from each and every visit. The constant change keeps the menu fresh and the customer eager for what is next to come. With flavors ranging from apple pie, which gives the customer a taste of America, to something out of the ordinary such as, maple bacon, this company always has a way to keep its customers on their toes.

 

The flavors created by the Solano family in each ice cream, are mind boggling. One of the company's staples, maple bacon, is a complicated contrast of flavors. From the first bite you are transported to a different world. The punch of maple makes you feel as though you are sitting in a maple tree plantation in Vermont, which satisfies any sweet tooth. At the summit of sweet flavors comes the bacon, which quickly dissolves the sweetness from becoming overpowering with a salty kick. Another popular flavor is Oreo's and cream, which richly blends the flavors of America's favorite cookie with the decadently smooth vanilla ice cream made in house. Or the butter pecan which gives you flavors straight from the pecan groves of Georgia. With so many delicious flavors to choose from, it's hard to pinpoint a single ice cream flavor to order. “Any food can be turned into an ice cream,” says Sara” that’s how we come up with the new flavors!”

 

Walking into Solano's ice cream parlor, we were welcomed by the decadent smell of freshly made waffle cones. In search of these waffle cones lead us to the broader perspective of the pastel colors and the simplistic, yet spacey layout. The wide open room with ample space between tables gives you the most appealing welcome. Some would say there’s room for more tables, but the lack there of, provides breathing room. The brown floors contrasted perfectly to the egg shell white walls, and mint green cushions. A pink border lined the walls, however, it seems as if the workers had done a rushed job on it. Like most fairly new entrepreneurs, you won't see the establishment lacking originality. For instance, the chairs were custom made for Solano's. With their logo appearing in the center of the backrest, emitting the impression that it is not your ordinary ice cream shop.

 

We were welcomed to the store, by a woman who greeted us with a smile. Since it was a family owned business, we were unsure if she was the owner, or an employee.

As we looked at the menu, we were baffled by how many flavors and sundaes there were. And it was a pleasant twist to see the names of the sundaes reflecting something of the community such as one of the sundaes being titled ‘The Criminal’. She gave us at least a minute and a half to look, and then thoroughly without stuttering, explained the specialties. Immediately after she described the sizes of the bowls and cones, I was easily able to order. She was so polite in the way she rung us up, as we did let her know it was our first time. Andrew, father of three, is a regular at the Solano's ice cream parlor. He says that his kids always have him coming back to try the new flavors of the month. If you are trying to save a few dollars, it is not going to be a hardship on your wallet due to a cup being only $3.59. Andrew gave the establishment a five out of five stars and mentions, “It is a good bang for your buck!”

 

The floor looks as though they have been mopped by sailors, they are so clean and the tables and chairs sit without a speck of dust on them. The kitchen can be seen from the dining area which is not ideal, but a minor complaint at best. Although it can be seen, it is arranged so neatly that it is not an eyesore by any manner. From what could be seen everything was very clean and it put your mind at ease knowing that your food was prepared keeping the food safety handbook in mind. The bathrooms were clean, and for a business created on hopes and entrepreneurship it’s primarily decent. Sure, there may not have been granite surface top and a bathroom attendant waiting to dry your hands for you but that is not what Yuma is comprised of.  It is a prime example of how things do not have to be 5 star but show that the Yuma community takes pride in what they have to work with.

 

 

 

1452 S 4th Ave, Yuma, AZ 85364

Solano, Sara. Personal Interview. 3 Oct. 2014.

Andrew. Personal Interview. 3 Oct. 2014.

"Solano's Homemade Ice Cream." Facebook. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2014.

 

 "Solano's Homemade Ice Cream Factory - About - Google+." Solano's Homemade Ice Cream         Factory - About - Google+. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2014.