Ryder’s Ice Cream Introduce
For those in Connecticut, particularly in the bustling city of Meriden, the search for a delightful ice cream experience often leads to a local gem: **Ryder’s Ice Cream**. Nestled in the heart of Meriden, this ice cream shop has carved out a niche for itself by offering a classic ice cream parlor feel combined with a diverse menu designed to satisfy a wide range of palates. When the weather warms, or even when a craving strikes on a cooler day, Ryder's provides a welcoming spot for families, friends, and individuals looking for a sweet escape.
Ryder's Ice Cream prides itself on being a community staple, a place where memories are made over scoops of delicious ice cream. They offer a traditional approach to ice cream, focusing on a variety of flavors, classic sundaes, and thick, creamy milkshakes. It’s the kind of place that evokes a sense of nostalgia, reminding visitors of simpler times and the pure joy of a well-made frozen treat. While specific details about their ice cream making process aren't always front and center in public information, the emphasis is clearly on providing a broad selection of popular flavors and classic preparations. They aim to be a reliable spot for your favorite standard ice cream options, from rich chocolate to fruity delights.
Ryder’s Ice Cream is conveniently located at **500 W Main St, Meriden, CT 06451, USA**. This address places it along a prominent thoroughfare in Meriden, making it relatively easy to find for both local residents and those passing through the area. West Main Street is a well-traveled road, ensuring good visibility for the business.
One important note for visitors, as highlighted by customer feedback, is the approach to the establishment. While on West Main Street, direct access may require a slight navigation. Customers are advised to “drive around behind Ion Bank to get to it.” This implies that while the address is on a main road, the entrance or parking area might be situated off a side street or behind an adjacent building. Despite this minor navigational nuance, the location remains central to Meriden, making it accessible from various parts of the city. Parking is likely available in the vicinity of the shop, though it might be shared with neighboring businesses. The area is generally considered accessible for pedestrian traffic as well, given its urban setting.
Ryder’s Ice Cream focuses on classic ice cream parlor offerings, ensuring a straightforward and satisfying experience for its customers.
Scooped Ice Cream: The core offering includes a variety of traditional ice cream flavors available by the scoop in cones or cups. This allows customers to choose their favorite classic flavors.
Milkshakes: A popular item on their menu, Ryder's provides a selection of milkshakes made with their ice cream. Customers can typically choose their preferred ice cream flavor to be blended into a thick, creamy shake.
Sundaes: Classic sundaes are a staple, featuring scoops of ice cream topped with various sauces, whipped cream, and cherries. Options like a "Hot fudge sundae" are appealing for those seeking a traditional dessert.
Variety of Flavors: While the exact rotating menu isn't always publicly detailed, they aim to offer a good range of ice cream flavors, from common favorites to potentially some seasonal or specialty options.
Dairy-Free Options: In response to growing dietary needs, Ryder's also provides dairy-free ice cream alternatives, catering to customers with lactose intolerance or vegan preferences.
Take-out Service: Primarily a take-out focused establishment, allowing customers to grab their treats and enjoy them on the go or at a nearby park.
Ryder’s Ice Cream distinguishes itself with several key features that appeal to the local community:
Local, Community Feel: As an independent ice cream shop, it often embodies a more personal and community-oriented atmosphere compared to larger chains.
Classic Ice Cream Parlor Experience: The focus on traditional scooped ice cream, shakes, and sundaes provides a nostalgic and comforting experience.
Affordable Pricing: Customer reviews indicate that their pricing, particularly for larger items like shakes, is considered quite reasonable in the current economic climate, offering good value for money.
Diverse Flavor Selection (including dairy-free): Offering options like dairy-free ice cream shows an effort to cater to a broader customer base with varying dietary needs and preferences.
Convenient Meriden Location: Situated on a main road, it's easily accessible for many Meriden residents, making it a convenient stop for a treat.
Focus on Traditional Offerings: For those who appreciate well-executed classic ice cream treats without excessive frills, Ryder's delivers. Their consistent focus on core ice cream products is a highlight.
For inquiries or to plan your visit to Ryder’s Ice Cream:
Address: 500 W Main St, Meriden, CT 06451, USA
Phone: (203) 440-0109
For the residents of Meriden, Connecticut, Ryder’s Ice Cream represents a reliable and accessible spot for classic ice cream cravings. While individual experiences with specific flavors, such as the black raspberry milkshake or dairy-free pistachio, can vary and be subject to personal preference, the overall appeal lies in its commitment to traditional ice cream parlor offerings. The feedback, even when critical of specific items, often includes an intent to return and explore other menu options, indicating a general positive sentiment and a desire to give the establishment a full chance.
The affordability of their larger items, like the shakes, makes it an attractive option for families and individuals alike, especially when seeking a budget-friendly treat. Its convenient location on West Main Street, despite the small navigational note about accessing the parking, ensures it remains a go-to spot for many. Ryder's offers a straightforward, no-frills ice cream experience, focusing on familiar flavors and beloved preparations. It's the kind of local business that contributes to the community's charm, providing a casual and inviting atmosphere for a quick scoop or a classic sundae, making it a suitable and cherished option for Meriden locals seeking their next sweet fix.
Ryder’s Ice Cream Ice cream
Banana Split
- Banana Split $7.95
One fresh banana sliced in half, your choice of 3 different ice cream flavors, topped with hot fudge, fresh strawberries, fresh pineapple, whipped cream and a cherry.
Build Your Own Stacker
- Build Your Own Stacker
Your choice of ice cream layered with your choice of toppings and sauce, with whipped cream and cherry
Italian Ice
- Italian Ice
- Italian Ice Flight $6.25
- Italian Ice Stacker
Milkshakes
- Milkshakes
Milkshakes are hand-spun and made fresh to every order and are served with whipped cream and a cherry.
Pup Cup
- Pup Cup Ice Cream $1.25
Vanilla ice cream with a dog treat
- Pup Cup Whipped Cream $0.00
Whipped cream with a dog treat
Frozen Lemonade
- Frozen Lemonade
Soft Serve
- Ice Cream Cup
- Ice Cream Cone
- Waffle Cone $5.25
Storms
- Storms
Your choice of ice cream blended with your choice of toppings.
Sundae Stackers
Ice cream layered with toppings and sauce
- Banana Pudding Stacker
Banana ice cream, Nilla wafers, whipped cream and a cherry.
- Cookie Butter Stacker
Vanilla ice cream, Biscoff cookie pieces, and Biscoff cookie butter. whipped cream, and a cherry
- Cookie Monster Madness Stacker
Birthday cake ice cream, marshmallow, cookie dough, and Oreos, whipped cream, and a cherry
- Doodle Bop Stacker
Chocolate ice cream, M&M's, hot fudge, chocolate crunch's, whipped cream, and a cherry
- Fudge Brownie Stacker
Vanilla ice cream, brownie bites, hot fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry
- Walkie Toffee Stacker
Chocolate ice cream, heath, almonds, hot fudge, caramel
- Hollywood Stacker
Cotton candy ice cream, nerds, cotton candy crunch
- Oreo Stacker
Vanilla ice cream, Oreos, marshmallow topping, hot fudge, whipped cream and a cherry.
- Peanut Butter Cup Stacker
Layers of peanut butter cups, peanut butter sauce, hot fudge, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and a cherry.
- Smores' Stacker
Vanilla ice cream, graham cracker crumbs, hot fudge, marshmallow, whipped cream and a cherry
- Strawbery Shortcake Stacker
Strawberry shortcake crumbles, strawberries, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and a cherry.
- Strawberry Cheesecake Stacker
Vanilla ice cream, strawberries, cheesecake
- Worms And Dirt Stacker
Chocolate ice cream layered with hot fudge chocolate crunches and sour gummy worms
- Black Forest Cake Stacker
- Island Oasis Stacker
- Back To School Stacker
Sundaes
- Sundaes
Your choice of ice cream, with your choice of sauce and toppings, and finished with whipped cream and a cherry.
- Fudge Affair Sundae $6.50
- Hole In One Sundae $6.50
A glazed donut topped with your choice of sauce, your choice of ice cream, chocolate sprinkles, whipped cream, and a cherry
Water
- Water $1.50
Weekday Special's
- Moo Monday $3.75
Enjoy $3.75 "JJ" milkshakes every Monday until 9pm!
- 2 For Tuesday $6.00
- Winning Wednesdays
Ice Cream Pint
- Classic Pint $8.00
- Specialty Dairy Pint $10.00
- Specialty Non-Dairy Pint $10.00
- Italian Ice $12.00
Ryder’s Ice Cream Details
Highlights
- Great dessert
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Dining options
- Seating
- Table service
Atmosphere
- Casual
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Planning
- Quick visit
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Parking
- Free parking lot
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Ryder’s Ice Cream Photos










Ryder’s Ice Cream Location
Ryder’s Ice Cream
500 W Main St, Meriden, CT 06451, USA
Ryder’s Ice Cream Reviews
pricessundaetoppingdairysyruporeoscolorbutterscotchpeanut butter cuphot fudge
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Please note: this review is for a black raspberry milkshake only.I was on my way home from lunch in Milford and drove right past Ryder's. Decided a shake was in order.First, you must drive around behind Ion Bank to get to it. The menu offered many choices, but I went with my favorite, a black raspberry shake. The positive: the large is only $7, which is pretty good in the current economy. The negative: too much syrup for my preference. The taste was overpowering. There was also a slight hint of banana flavor, which is not a bad thing if it was on purpose.My plan is to return and try something else, so I can give them a chance to earn the fifth star. Hot fudge sundae sounds appealing!!!
September 12 · Scott P.I don’t think I can say I’ve ever tasted “disgusting” ice cream in my life, until I had the dairy free pistachio here. It is an artificial, fluorescent green color. The taste was not even reminiscent of pistachio; it tasted like fabuloso cleaner. I took one lick and threw it out. I’m truly not that picky, but this ice cream was inedible.
July 02 · Kate RiveraSuper delicious each time we've went and amazing service. I am so in love with this new ice cream shop and so is my whole family. I'm excited to keep trying different things and make my way through the whole menu!
June 17 · Sarah JosenhansSo my family and I were driving by when my son said he wanted ice cream so we decided to stop. The menu is pretty big. My son had a twist with no complaint but my peanut butter ice cream tasted like butter scotch which is not a flavor I enjoy and my boyfriend’s Oreo sundae tasted like maple syrup. We kind of understood why the prices were so low. Probably won’t go back there if we are in the area unless we all decided on having plain ole twists/vanilla ice cream.
March 07 · Seersha MarieJust okay. DQ is better.Prices listed at the venue do not match what they charge (it said $6.50 and I was charged $8.19 for a regular stacker)The ice cream is decent, but the hot fudge tastes like chocolate syrup and the peanut butter sauce is watery and has a hint of butterscotch taste to it.I would not recommend ordering stackers and I would suggest verifying the price since both the website and the venue have the same prices listed, but I was charged more.I came here because I had a gift card and likely would not have traveled back unless visiting family nearby.Now, I know not to travel back, even if visiting nearby.
March 22 · B. Gagne
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