The Thrilla
Big Al's First Glance: Soft serve, in and of itself, is the antithesis of the ice cream sundae. I’ve even heard it as an insult. However, when the wavy delight was placed in our hands, you saw only magic. The swirled perfection of the vanilla flavored barber light spoke a rhythm that only someone who is not affected by sweltering temperatures wouldn’t enjoy. The Experience: Like a Mike Tyson left hook, the immediate impact of Vanilla was felt. The twist of the swirl caught any drips before they could melt in the over 100 degree temperature. The texture was icy and smooth, and was firm enough not to buckle under the heat which any parent could appreciate were we children reentering the car. 16
U P G R A D E D L I V I N G M AG A Z I N E AU G U S T 2 0 2 1
The Extra: The setting of Big Al’s, whether at the window or above the tile floors inside, was the perfect setting for the meal. The cone was the perfect vessel to hold the treat through its entirety while still buckling under your tongue at the last bite. If you like the feeling of a great day at the end of fair season, this is childhood personified.
