Softcream Brings Next-Level Ice Cream Bling to Northridge

Softcream may be a bit off the beaten path, but the soft serve ice cream shop—if you have kids—is a don’t-miss destination this summer. Toppings here go way beyond normal. They are more like artistic adornments, ranging from crushed Cheetos to cookies in the shape of maple leafs and stars … and pretty much anything else you can imagine.

Astrid Chandra and husband Dino opened Softcream in Northridge last year, combining their culinary and business degrees. Let’s just say that the savvy duo has mastered the art of the upsell. Plain waffle cones are free, and the already decorated ice cream cones cost an extra $1.65. Cookies are add-ons, ranging from $1.50 to $3.50 depending on the size.

Softcream decorates cones with colorful glazes and studs them with sweet 3-D icons like bulldogs and diamond rings. Cookies depict cartoon penguins and frogs, characters like Scooby Doo and Snoopy, and items found in nature like seashells and pineapples. To really take your cone over the top, toppings include crushed peanuts and Fruity Pebbles.

Soft serve flavors are available solo, in swirls or stacked if flavors don’t share a machine. The roster includes Dutch chocolate, matcha and mango—all luscious and distinctly flavored. I opted for a purple rainbow cone with a swirl of taro and Thai tea ice creams and a blue cookie formed with Dodgers-style “LA” letters.

Customers can also get churros coated with gold or pink sugar or crushed Oreos as well as smoothies, frozen hot chocolate and Dole Whip floats. The shop sports pink walls, white furniture and a neon sign declaring “Happiness Is Softcream.” So true.

9717 Reseda Blvd., Northridge, 747-202-0551