Worth the brain freeze

I know it sounds counterintuitive — an ice cream recommendation in February.

A coffee joint?

Makes sense.

Soul food or a bowl of chili?

Sure.

But not ice cream.

At least not until your heated seats make way for the A/C.

I get the logic.

But on a mild January afternoon I decided to accept the invitation extended by a Raleigh business’ sign.

Its promise was simple.

“Fresh. Local ice cream.”

And man, this shop delivers.

Forget, for a moment, that the milk used for its signature selection comes from grass-fed cows — that your treat will be free of growth hormones and antibiotics.

I mean, all of that matters — and is certainly en vogue — but once you delve into a cup of Fresh. Local ice cream’s banana pudding ice cream, nothing else will matter.

You will suddenly find yourself reverted to the little boy or girl who used to sneak a handful of vanilla wafers before dinner — the one who ate dessert first at the football tailgate because Mom and Dad weren’t paying attention.

I mean, Raleigh is somewhat cosmopolitan, but this is still North Carolina.

And banana pudding is, you know, kind of a tradition around these parts.

I’m told the other flavors are unbelievable — from butter pecan and cookie dough to old world coffee and strawberry.

They even offer a sundae for your family’s four-legged friend.

But I’m sticking to the banana pudding ice cream.

And no matter the forecast, if I’m on Glenwood Avenue, I’m stopping.

In the meantime, I need to go find a box of vanilla wafers.

Desperately.

FRESH. LOCAL ICE CREAM, 6033 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh, NC