Carvel

Growing up on the East Coast I have been a fan of Carvel ice cream for almost 50 years. It is very hard to find a Carvel store here in CA, so a few years ago I discovered this one in Westwood, I would make the trip from the valley to go there, and it was always worth it, even though very overpriced! Recently my trip there was a huge disappointment as I found they are now whipping the product- mixing in a ton of air. The flavor and texture is completely changed, and is awful! There is no flavor, it's like frozen whipped cream. This obviously is done to reduce the amount you get for the money, which is sad because it is so overepriced to begin with. Guess what, there simply is not a large profit margin in ice cream- deal with it. Tom Carvel would be appalled! Change it back to the original please! I will now have to try the store in Pasadena to see if they are true to the original. more

This place has some quality desserts! Delicious more

This former New Yorker took his Mother to this location for a taste of his youth in Manhattan. Pros: wallpaper Cons: not what I remembered more

I went to this Carvel on santa monica blvd to buy a valentines cake and some flying saucers , it was excellent!. While there ,I had a vanilla and chocolate soft serve cone rolled in chocolate crunchies, which was heavenly! It tasted just like I remember.The owner was very helpful, courteous and friendly. All the cakes are made on site, so I strongly recommend if you need a birthday cake, to go to this store. They are the best! more

We were so excited to see a Carvel open down the street since we are from New York and we grew up on the stuff. We went two years ago when it opened an it was disappointing. But I was driving by today and decided to give it another shot. Oh my...what a huge waste of time and money. First - the owner who is also the only person working there is rude, grumpy, and has no patience while you try to decide what you would like to have. But I smiled anyway and order a small chocolate cone w/chocolate crunchies to eat which was tiny, and poufed with air so it tasted like nothing. The choc crunchies (all 3 of them) were old and stale. I also got my husband a large cup of no sugar added vanilla ice cream. When we got it home it was old, chewey, and freezer burned. I also bought a six pack of low fat ice cream sandwhiches (kinda like a flying saucer). They were 9 dollars and tasted old and freezer burned. $16 dollars later I was so disappointed that my childhood favorite has turned in to a poorly run franchise that is a Carvel in name only. I'm told the cakes are still good --- but I'm also told that those come from the factory and are not made on site, which would explain why they are still good. Basically - AVOID THIS CARVEL. I could ignore the grumpy owner if the ice cream was any good, but the bottom line is that iIt is overpriced and the product is terrible. I have a feeling this particular Carvel is not going to be able to stay in business much longer. (and of course, I was the only customer in there...) Pros: Hmmm... Good Parking? Cons: Rude/Grumpy owner, Crummy air poufed soft serve ice cream, overpriced more

This is by far the best ice cream location on the west side. The ice cream is great, the customer service is great, and atmosphere is very appealing. I use Carvel mostly for cakes, and after using MANY other competitors I can guarantee that people will light up every time that they see the Carvel cake box come through the door. You guys just keep on doing what you are doing, Pros: Great Customer Service, Staff Really Goes the Extra Mile Cons: No Lactose Free Ice Cream more

The location is perfect. The icecream is so clean and fresh it will melt your tastebuds. Yummy! I loved the taste and choices however I don't think it tops Russell Stovers Candy Store and Icecream but since there is not any on the West Coast this is the next best thing. Now this is a guy who knows icecream and is very personable. Pros: Service, Parking, Selction Cons: Prices, No Seats In Store more

I used to go to cold stone until i found this new ice cream store Carvel. I took my kids there and now Im hooked! I have been there more times than I care to admit. The staff were friendly and very accomadating. The ice cream is the best I have ever tasted! The store looks great! I strongly recommend all ice cream lovers to take a stop at santa monica blvd and try this ice cream. My kids now beg me to go to carvel. Pros: good service, friendly atmosphere more

The ice cream we have been waiting for! I have made multiple personal visits (alright call me an addict or a junkie), and I'm left the sweetest taste in my mouth! The ownership is great, just like the service. Yesterday I showed up with a minivan full of kids and was given better service then we deserved! The orders were correct, the portion sizes were perfect, and the ice cream selections were clearly marked. I can only assume that the negative review was posted by the owners of the future location on Pico. How weak must they be? Pros: Great Service, Good Parking, Great People more

This is what we have been waiting for -The messiah of Ice-Creams! The service was great and the ice cream was even better! Walking distance? I would drive a hundred miles for a Carvel swirled cone - dipped of course! When I stumbled upon the store it was like arriving at Mecca........ That negative review must be from the owners of the future store on Pico....take it for what is it worth....nothing! Pros: Good Parking, Good People, Great Ice Cream more

Brings back great memories from the East Coast! . Creamy delicious soft serve ice cream with all the toppings. The store is spotlessly clean and you get service with a smile. The owner is friendly and accommodating, and he can swirl a picture perfect cone! The hard ice cream is good too, but the brown bonnet is a classic. It's an East Coast favorite and everyone who walked in had the east coast accent. I hope the West Coast will appreciate it just as much. Parking is easy. It would be great if there was seating in the store. Pros: Great ice cream Cons: Not walking distance more