Sweet Treats of Smith Mountain Lake

Few things say “summer” like a sweet, refreshing frozen treat. For most Lakers, savoring a milkshake, sundae, split or scoop is as much an SML tradition as a good, running jump off the dock. Luckily, numerous lake-area establishments are ready to keep residents and visitors in plentiful supply of cold concoctions. So, allow us to make your summer a little sweeter by offering the scoop on the sweet treats scene at SML.

Sweet Frog
The frozen yogurt franchise is the latest business to join the lake’s sweet treats scene. Owners Matt and June Smith opened the shop in March at Westlake Towne Center after success with several other Sweet Frogs in Lynchburg. Customers can fill their cup with one or more frozen yogurt flavors and embellish it from an extensive buffet of toppings, paying based on weight.

Try This: Mix lemon and watermelon-flavored frozen yogurt, fresh fruit, whipped cream and chocolate flakes for 39 cents per ounce.  

Address/Contact: 84 Westlake Road, #104, Hardy. 540-524-9191, sweetfrogyogurt.com

Hours: Sunday-Thursday, noon-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, noon-11:30 p.m.

Homestead Creamery
In recent years, Homestead Creamery has made a name for itself in several East Coast states. SML locals and visitors are lucky to have the headquarters right in their own backyard. Visit the retail store in nearby Burnt Chimney to take your pick of one of the dairy enterprise’s distinctive flavors. “Our ice cream is made on site, right next door, so it’s fresh, homemade ice cream,” said co-owner Donnie Montgomery.

Try This: Key Lime Pie ice cream in a homemade waffle cone. $3.49 for one scoop, $4.19 for two scoops or $2.39 for the kiddie size.

Address/Contact: 7254 B.T. Washington Hwy., Burnt Chimney. 540-721-2045

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Ice Cream Cottage
Bridgewater Plaza’s Ice Cream Cottage is a veteran of SML sweets service. The family-owned business has been scooping Hershey’s-brand flavors such as Rainbow Sherbet, Muddy Sneakers and Cappuccino Crunch for plaza visitors arriving by car or boat since the late 1980s. Owner Carrol Dillon said customers also opt for sundaes, malts, floats and banana splits.

Try This: Hot Fudge Sundae: Vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, banana slices, whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry for $4.99.

Address/Contact: 16430 B.T. Washington Hwy., Moneta. 540-721-1305, bridgewaterplaza.com

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Freckles
This vintage-style ice cream parlor in Downtown Moneta’s Celebration Square is in its fourth year serving tasty ice cream concoctions for eager customers. Flavors like Rocky Road, Butter Pecan and Nestle Butterfinger are just the beginning of the cone-filling choices. Sundaes, milkshakes, malts and floats com-plement the 1950s-style experience.

Try This: Banana Splitacular: A banana split with choice of three ice cream flavors and toppings for $5.99.

Address/Contact: 1100 Celebration Ave., Moneta. 540-297-1269, frecklesicecreamparlor.com

Hours: Daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Perfect Blends
A satisfying summer treat doesn’t necessarily have to be made of ice cream or yogurt. A perfectly blended smoothie or iced coffee drink is the preferred choice for some. Perfect Blends Cafe specializes in made-to-order smoothies and coffee drinks. Located inside The General Store on Scruggs Road in Westlake, the cafe is an easy stop for those more inclined to hit up a coffee shop than an ice cream parlor.

Try This: Sara Berry Smoothie: A blend of four berries, water and ice. $2.99 for the small size or $3.99 for large.

Address/Contact: 213 Scruggs Rd., Moneta. 540-488-2836, perfect-blends.com

Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Mayberry Diner
This eatery transports customers to a time of sipping soda at the counter before taking in a movie on the outdoor screen. The retro-style restaurant features the best of a traditional ice cream parlor, complete with a massive banana split piled close to 7 inches high. Owner Bob Craig said,     “We go through about a thousand gallons of ice cream in the summer, mainly for our milkshakes.”

Try This: Mayberry Banana Split: Chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream, pineapple, walnuts, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, banana, strawberries and cherries for $6.95.

Address/Contact: 1696 White House Road, Moneta. 540-296-1480, mayberrydrivein.com

Hours: Daily 7 a.m.-9 p.m. (later on movie nights)

Ice Cream Boat
An adolescent enterprise has turned into a summertime tradition for SML natives Travis and Ryan Burke. An on-the-water icon, the Ice Cream Boat – a decked-out pontoon piping out nostalgic music that sends kids running to the dock – will likely be floating your way this summer. The brothers offer a menu of classic treats, including the firecracker popsicle, choco taco and ice cream sandwich. Turn to page 50 for a profile on these entrepreneurial siblings.

Try This: Drumstick: Also known as the Nutty Buddy, it’s available in chocolate, vanilla or vanilla caramel for $1.50.

Contact Info: theicecreamboat.com, theicecreamboat@aol.com

Hours: Monday-Friday 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Hot Shots
Located at Westlake, this full-service eatery offers a variety of tasty treats that can be enjoyed inside the air-conditioned restaurant or outside on the patio prior to a round of mini-golf or fun aboard the blaster boats. For those who prefer coffee to cones, Hot Shots also offers numerous iced coffee selections.

Try This: Chocloate Sundae: Homestead Creamery soft-serve vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and a cherry for $2 (small) or $2.60 (large). Add a variety of toppings for 60 cents each extra.

Address/Contact: 13360 B.T. Washington Hwy., Moneta. 540-719-1547, smlhotshots.com

Hours: Daily 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Dairy Queen
Blizzards and ice cream cakes and Dilly Bars, oh my! Smith Mountain Lake boasts two Dairy Queen restaurants that feature the familiar frozen treats. Get your fill of dipped cones, smoothies or frozen, blended coffees. Penhook store manager Connie Darnell said the Blizzard is by far the most popular ice cream item they sell.

Try This: Oreo Blizzard: Vanilla ice cream and crushed Oreos blended together for $3.39 (small) or $3.89 (medium).

Address/Contact:  Penhook: 15540 Old Franklin Turnpike, 540-576-1622. Westlake: 520 Scruggs Road, 540-721-7541. dairyqueen.com

Hours: Both locations: Sunday-Thursday, 6 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.