G&D's Ice Cream Cafe
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George and Davis' and George and Danver's, collectively known as G & D's, are two ice cream shops in Oxford, England. G&D's home made ice cream is popular with University of Oxford scholars, tourists, and Oxford locals. Its popularity has led some to deem it an Oxford institution, which is a phrase that has even been adopted by media organizations.
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[edit] History
George and Davis', the original shop, was founded in 1992 by George Stroup, an American Oxford University student. The shop was named after the proprietor (George) and his dog (Davis). Stroup received help of an assortment of his friends, fellow students and staff from the University, as well as teammates from the University's ice hockey team. The shop in Little Clarendon Street soon flourished, selling ice cream, brownies, chocolate cake, bagels and other items.[citation needed]
In 2001 Stroup and his team opened George and Danver's, a second shop on the corner of Pembroke Street and St Aldates (opposite Christ Church). This shop complements the original and has more space, a larger service area, and a more accessible location for many, especially tourists and those that live in south Oxford.
Baked goods are now made in the St Aldates building, while ice cream continues to be made on the premises in the Little Clarendon Street shop.
[edit] Atmosphere
Both of the shops have their own 'quirky' atmosphere, and fun and games are an integral part of shop life. Contests to win half litres of ice cream are held every week, with challenges such as throwing a cow through a basketball hoop, and mooing competitions. In accordance with the shops' theme of cows, which cover every available surface, on Tuesday nights patrons receive a twenty percent discount for bringing in anything with a cow on it,
Of particular note is the closing time: Both shops remain open until midnight, every day.
Customers are also invited to fill out a 'flavour petition' to request that the shop create a flavour. If the petition gains thirty signatures then G&D's will consider producing the flavour. The shop can be quite busy with queues extending out the door, particularly late at night. Many students and some prominent scholars and authors credit G&D's with helping them persevere in their endeavours. The shops are popular meeting places, including for informal tutorials and seminars.
[edit] Competition
The only other ice cream-themed shops in Oxford in recent years have been two outlets of the multi-national Häagen-Dazs chain: one opened in Cornmarket Street (c.a. 1993), the other opened in George Street (c.a. 1998); both shops closed within a few years of opening. Oxford's town and gown feel a strong loyalty towards G&D's (as the company is affectionately known), which they view as Oxford's Own; this phrase is now incorporated in the company's logo. The flow of scholars and tourists from all nations through Oxford has given G&D's a worldwide reputation.
[edit] Flavours
The shops are known for their wide variety of ice cream flavours, including:
- Lover's Tiff (Rose water & chocolate chip)
- Bananarama
- Hamlet (white chocolate & raspberry)
- Purity and Danger (vanilla & chocolate brownie pieces)
- Blueberry ('Oxford Blue')
- Mars Bar
- Double Decker
- Mango Sorbet (also known as 'Cory's Fix'; this apparently refers to former G&D's volunteer and now Mayor of Newark, NJ Cory Booker)
- White chocolate
- Green tea
- Passion fruit sorbet
- After Eight mint
- Mint Aero
- Crunchie Bar ('Golden Secret')
- Dime bar crunch
- Belgian Chocolate
- Gin and Tonic Sorbet
- Baileys Irish Cream
- Grand Marnier
- Turkish Delight
- Kenyan Coffee ('Kenya AA')
- Pistachio
- Strawberry
- Raspberry
- Greek Yoghurt and Honey
- Lavender and Honey ('Smelly Bee')
- Blackberry and Blueberry ('Black and Blue')
- Creamy Coconut
- Malibu and Pineapple Pieces ('Carribean Dream')
G&Ds has also produced experimental flavors such as:
