Shannon's Ice Cream opens Saturday in TD with some fresh flavor
Jonathan and Shannon Zilka are ready to serve up some ice cream at their new shop, Shannon’s Ice Cream at 318 E. Fourth Street in The Dalles on Saturday, May 22. They are changing the shape of ice cream with some epic new flavors. If the stern-faced folks from Amercian Gothic, background, can get on board with five scoops, maybe you could see fit to try some.
By Tom Peterson
Shannon and Jonathon Zilka have had a tough couple of weeks.
They have been working on flavors for their new ice cream shop, Shannon’s Ice Cream, at 318 E. Fourth Street in The Dalles.
It’s across from The Dalles Civic Auditorium. There are four giant owls carved into an ancient walnut tree stump out front. You can’t miss it.
They’re set to open officially on Saturday, May 22, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
It’s tough living above an ice cream shop.
Perilous, Shannon said.
Jonathon has found himself in the kitchen late at night going for a second bowl.
But it’s all for the greater good of our community. The pressure is on for some unique and delicious flavors.
The Couple invited CCCNews in to try some of their more interesting blends that are in the running.
We started with the Rhubarb Crumble, a buttery blend with that incredible tang of Rhubarb. It resonates.
We then moved onto the Chai Milk Chocolate. It did not disappoint. Happiness in a spoon.
They are also working on some dairy-free blends such as Mango and Blueberry.
Shannon said they intend to have a few of their own flavors on tap for the opening and will blend in some other Oregon brands to fill out the rest of the flavor choices.
“We want to make our flavors on the same day,” Shannon said, noting some of her best memories as a kid in Seaside, Oregon were churning the wooden bucket with ice and salt for a fresh bowl.
“It’s the best in small batches,” she said. “Ice cream just spun - it just does not get any better.”
However, the equipment does as they have an automated churner to speed up the process.
The 800 square feet of space on the first floor houses the shop, kitchen, two sitting areas, and a bathroom.
A long deck also has ample space for outdoor seating.
Jonathon said they were also experimenting with sundaes, milkshakes, floats and coffee.
“It’s exciting,” he said. “There is a lot to sort out. It makes you realize the responsibility you have to provide good service.”
Jonathon and Shannon are a renaissance couple - I just made up that term. But it fits. They can do anything. They have taken the former house of Chuck Williams and transformed it through the work of their own hands. They rebuilt the structure, designed the decor, created flavors and even came up with their own art - kind of.
Mona Lisa went from smirk to smile once Shannon added a double scoop. The Zilkas are having a lot of fun with their new enterprise, Mona Lisa’s Ice…. I mean Shannon’s Ice Cream.
Shannon put a spin on some classics - American Gothic just got a quintuple scoop cone. And you will also find out why Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is smiling. Edvard Munch’s The Scream has changed his tune. Say it with me - I Scream. You Scream. We all Scream for Ice Cream. Come to find out, Munch was prophetically named.
So get Munching.
Shannon’s Ice Cream will also be open Sunday 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. It will close on Monday and Tuesday and reopen on Wednesday.
Interested in learning more about Shannon’s, read our original story here.
Vincent Van Gogh was missing one thing in his self-portrait. No, not an ear. Ice cream of course. Shannon Zilka took the stern-looking Dutch Painter into a plain of happiness by adding a cone and its accompanying smile.
