Salt and Straw

Salt and Straw, a Portland, Ore.-founded ice cream chain, has taken the West Coast by storm. The quirky flavors, each carefully crafted in small batches, often draws long lines at its stores. And the chain continues to expand, bringing its offbeat flavor combinations to the ever-growing masses.

Salt and Straw puts a local spin on each of its locations, which it now has in Seattle, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Local chefs contribute flavors and local ingredients help make the ice cream more place-based. Plenty of seasonal rotations make their way through the line-up. There are some recurring flavors, too, that can be found at each store.

Fans might fall for combinations like goat cheese, marionberry and habanero; wasabi and raspberry; strawberry honey balsamic and black pepper; or almond brittle with salted ganache. The approach to the ice cream is similar to that of a chef creating a dish: The goal is to balance flavors like sweet, salty, spicy and savory for an outcome that is intriguing and irresistible.

For the most part, Salt and Straw accomplishes its goal, and its ice cream is just as fantastic as the crowds would indicate. Every now and then there’s a flop, but there’s always plenty more ice cream to try if one option doesn’t work.