wait for it: scream for ice cream

We spend a lot of our lives waiting for stuff. Usually, it’s a lot of aggravation for little reward. But sometimes, the wait is worth it. It is my intention to highlight something that qualifies as worth the wait in Tampa Bay each week…

It seems like every town, regardless of size, has at least a couple different mom & pop soft serve ice cream stands. Places called Twistee Treat, Dairy Freeze, Twistee Cone, Freezey Treat, Dairy Twist, Coney Cone, or whatever, that offer the full gamut of all-American, non-trademarked ice cream desserts like dip cones, root beer floats and banana splits are all over the place… everywhere else.

That’s not the case around here, though. I find it odd that as heavily populated and spread out as Tampa is that there aren’t places like that on every corner. And that’s not to mention how friggin’ hot it is. If there is an Africa on Mercury, it couldn’t be as hot as it is in Tampa Bay right now. We NEED ice cream! Thank goodness for Bo’s.

Located in the heart of revitalized Seminole Heights, it’s pretty easy to get to. They serve everything you’d expect and also a few surprises. Banana shakes consist of milk, ice cream and real bananas with no artificial flavoring (feel free to use this fact to justify it as health food).

Bo’s signature item is the upside down banana split.  Vanilla & chocolate ice cream, strawberries, pineapple, bananas, nuts, whipped cream and the obligatory cherry on top (which I would think should be on the bottom, if it’s upside down, but whatever) served in a cup.  The small is $3.95 and comes in a 20 oz. cup.  A large is $8.50 and, presumably, comes in a Volkswagen.  Actually, I was told that there is a “bucket” that you can ask for (it isn’t on the menu) for $29 (soft ice cream) or $34 (hard ice cream) that I can’t even imagine anyone actually eating – but if you know anybody who might attempt it, give me a call because I’d like to watch.

Whatever you decide, it will be delicious and cold. And worth the wait.

Bo’s is located at 7101 North Florida Avenue in Tampa. There are picnic tables as well as a drive-thru. They’re open 11:00AM until 11:00PM, seven days a week.