Oops Ice Cream
Oops Ice Cream is the latest venture from the team behind Birdies Fried Chicken. Conveniently enough, the ice cream parlour is the fried chicken restaurant's next-door neighbour.
Oops shares Birdies' clean, minimalist aesthetic, with a boxy storefront, a spacious waiting area and a charmingly retro walk-up counter.
The differences can be found in the details. Instead of a welcome mat, a mosaic that reads "you make me melt" sits just outside the front door.
More fun details can be found inside. Pastel bunting hangs from the ceiling above mint-green walls and neon signage. A pillar near the freezer is decorated with colourful, oblong shapes that resemble sprinkles.
Though seating options are limited to a pair of wooden benches, it's clear that a lot of thought was put into the venue's aesthetic and atmosphere.
Co-owners Kevin and Amanda initially opened the ice cream shop in September of 2023.
The duo had hoped to get it up and running in time for the summer, but had to push the soft opening back to account for construction time.Since the arrival of the warmer weather, Oops has seen a dramatic increase in customers. Amanda describes them as an even mix of Birdies' regulars and new visitors, eager to see what Oops has to offer."We try to keep things simple around here," Kevin explains. "To us, that means doing one thing and doing it well."
More specifically, this means crafting frozen treats from authentic ingredients. All of Oops' ice cream is made in-house in small batches. Though most of the flavours are made with milk, a few are dairy-free. The shop also stocks a variety of Canadian sweets, including La Lichee syrup and Flossie cotton candy. A single scoop of ice cream will run you $5.49, with sugar cones adding $0.75 and waffle cones adding $1.49.
Regardless of what type of cone you choose, these large scoops will find snugly inside, complementing them with their creamy consistency.
Mint Chip is an iconic flavour that goes well with almost anything. Its refreshing coolness and tiny flecks of chocolate are the perfect antidote to a hot, humid day.
Mini scoops ($3.24) are a great option for diners looking to avoid a sugar overload. The Brown Butter Pecan, for instance, is a rich, nutty flavour that's best enjoyed in small doses.If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, try a double mini scoop ($5.99). This option strikes the right balance between too much and too much, with the added benefit of allowing you to try two flavours at once.
We opted for a scoop of the Strawberries and Cream, topped with a bit of Blueberry Cheesecake. Though both of these are fruity flavours, the contrast between the mild strawberry and the tangy blueberry made it a unique experience.
Milkshakes ($8.99) are a new addition to the menu and can be made with any of the standard ice cream flavours.
We tried a shake made from Sweet Cream and Cookies. Not only is its black and white speckled appearance appealing, it tastes a lot like an Oreo cookie.
Floats ($7.49) are classic ice cream sodas that will transport your taste buds to a 1950s malt shop.
Like milkshakes, floats can be made with any type of ice cream, though Amanda and Kevin both recommend a milder flavour for the full effect.
We went with Madagascar Vanilla Bean, which soaked up the sugary root beer perfectly.
Oops' ice cream is also available in pints, which can be taken home for $12.99. Oops Ice Cream is located at 261 Coxwell Avenue.
Fareen Karim