Ice Cream Factory
455 Park Ave., Worcester

Amenities: Indoor seating only for Peppercorns customers

Additional Entertainment: N/A

It was 1:10 p.m. upon our arrival at the Ice Cream Factory, attached to Peppercorns on Park Avenue, and the window sign promised service at 1 p.m. Upon checking at Peppercorns, we were told the worker was a No Call, No Show. One server offered to scoop, but couldn’t make sundaes (or the specialty “Saturdaes” commemorating Worcester colleges and attractions) because the machines needed to warm up. Even after a light lunch, no one had bothered to turn on the toppings machines, so choices were limited.

These piecemeal sundaes were served on waffle dishes stiffer than cardboard (and tasting similar, with perhaps a hint of sugar). There were no warm toppings, so the ice-cream remained hard. Although Renée said her Butter Crunch was good, my Dulce de Leche tasted more like maple than the caramelized milk the flavor takes its name from. Park Avenue doesn’t offer much entertainment, but Peppercorns diners have the convenience of ice cream stand desserts delivered to their table. The Ice Cream Factory offers decent ice-cream, but there are too many better ice cream destinations worth the effort of visiting.