We have some good ice cream here in New Mexico, but one little shop, tucked away near Taos has been making some awesome, award-winning, super premium ice cream for more than two decades. If you haven’t been to Taos Cow, plan on a trip. If you’ve already been there, it could be the perfect time to go again.
For some of the best ice cream in New Mexico, head to the mountains.
Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort/Facebook You will find the Taos Cow Scoop Shop, Deli, and Cafe in the cozy village of Arroyo Seco. Located a few minutes outside of Taos, Arroyo Seco is at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It is the last stop before you reach Taos Ski Valley. The village, popular with winter sports enthusiasts, is home to a handful of colorful shops and restaurants, including Taos Cow.
Taos Cow is a local favorite with a national following.
Thomas Raymond/Flickr The ice cream shop has been voted “Best of Taos,” but the shop’s accolades extend well beyond New Mexico. Taos Cow ice cream has been on “Best of” lists from national publications like USA Today and Bon Appetit.
The ice cream is all natural.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr In this case, all natural means big, fresh flavor. The ingredient list is simple and pronounceable, with things like milk, chocolate, and fresh fruit. The milk doesn’t have any bovine growth hormones in it either.
Choose an old favorite flavor or a Taos Cow original.
Samantha D./Yelp Yes, they have vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry – but even those aren’t ordinary. The vanilla is made with pure Madagascar vanilla bean. The chocolate is made with Ghiradelli Dutch cocoa. Then there is the “Mexican” chocolate, with cinnamon and dark chocolate chunks. The strawberry? It’s fruit and a sweet cream base.
They use New Mexico ingredients.
tumbleweed_travels/TripAdvisor All the ingredients are fresh and many hail from the Land of Enchantment. They use fresh, New Mexico milk, pecans from Las Cruces, and culinary lavender from Los Poblanos and the Purple Adobe Lavender Farm.
Grab some breakfast.
Thu N./Yelp Whether you like an early breakfast or a brunch, you’re in luck. The shop opens at 7 am and serves breakfast until noon. Get quick bites like breakfast sandwiches, burritos, and organic granola, or go for a full-on meal. Selections include migas, “Green Eggs and Ham,” and “The Molly,” two eggs on a bed of sautéed spinach, mushrooms and onions.
They serve lunch too.
Thu N./Yelp Build your own lunch sandwich from a selection of meats, veggies, and cheese, or get one of the house specials like the lamb and beef gyro or a green chile Philly. Better yet, try a homemade pot pie. For a lighter lunch, there are salads and rice bowls too. Plus, bagels and coffee are served all day.
But don’t forget the ice cream!
Kevin H./Yelp Here we will just tease you with more Taos Cow flavors: Pinon Caramel, Cookies and Cream, Buffalo Chip (vanilla ice cream with dark chocolate-covered coffee beans), Maple Walnut, and an array of fresh fruits – peach, raspberry (and raspberry dark chocolate) and blueberry. And let’s not forget the Holstein Sunset (strawberry ice cream with white, dark and milk chocolate soft chunks). Do be aware, Taos Cow flavors rotate!
detennant/TripAdvisor Taos Cow is located at 485 Highway 150 in the heart of Arroyo Seco. They are open every day from 7 am to 7 pm (with kitchen closing at 6:30). You can also try Taos Cow ice cream at Cafe Fresh (at the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market), and in Albuquerque at Theobroma Chocolatier.
If you are an ice cream fan, check out these other fantastic ice cream shops in New Mexico. Let us know about your other favorites too!
Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort/Facebook
You will find the Taos Cow Scoop Shop, Deli, and Cafe in the cozy village of Arroyo Seco. Located a few minutes outside of Taos, Arroyo Seco is at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It is the last stop before you reach Taos Ski Valley. The village, popular with winter sports enthusiasts, is home to a handful of colorful shops and restaurants, including Taos Cow.
Thomas Raymond/Flickr
The ice cream shop has been voted “Best of Taos,” but the shop’s accolades extend well beyond New Mexico. Taos Cow ice cream has been on “Best of” lists from national publications like USA Today and Bon Appetit.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
In this case, all natural means big, fresh flavor. The ingredient list is simple and pronounceable, with things like milk, chocolate, and fresh fruit. The milk doesn’t have any bovine growth hormones in it either.
Samantha D./Yelp
Yes, they have vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry – but even those aren’t ordinary. The vanilla is made with pure Madagascar vanilla bean. The chocolate is made with Ghiradelli Dutch cocoa. Then there is the “Mexican” chocolate, with cinnamon and dark chocolate chunks. The strawberry? It’s fruit and a sweet cream base.
tumbleweed_travels/TripAdvisor
All the ingredients are fresh and many hail from the Land of Enchantment. They use fresh, New Mexico milk, pecans from Las Cruces, and culinary lavender from Los Poblanos and the Purple Adobe Lavender Farm.
Thu N./Yelp
Whether you like an early breakfast or a brunch, you’re in luck. The shop opens at 7 am and serves breakfast until noon. Get quick bites like breakfast sandwiches, burritos, and organic granola, or go for a full-on meal. Selections include migas, “Green Eggs and Ham,” and “The Molly,” two eggs on a bed of sautéed spinach, mushrooms and onions.
Build your own lunch sandwich from a selection of meats, veggies, and cheese, or get one of the house specials like the lamb and beef gyro or a green chile Philly. Better yet, try a homemade pot pie. For a lighter lunch, there are salads and rice bowls too. Plus, bagels and coffee are served all day.
Kevin H./Yelp
Here we will just tease you with more Taos Cow flavors: Pinon Caramel, Cookies and Cream, Buffalo Chip (vanilla ice cream with dark chocolate-covered coffee beans), Maple Walnut, and an array of fresh fruits – peach, raspberry (and raspberry dark chocolate) and blueberry. And let’s not forget the Holstein Sunset (strawberry ice cream with white, dark and milk chocolate soft chunks). Do be aware, Taos Cow flavors rotate!
detennant/TripAdvisor
Taos Cow is located at 485 Highway 150 in the heart of Arroyo Seco. They are open every day from 7 am to 7 pm (with kitchen closing at 6:30). You can also try Taos Cow ice cream at Cafe Fresh (at the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market), and in Albuquerque at Theobroma Chocolatier.
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