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Salt & Straw Review

Monday, February 10th

2025 Ice Cream Club Reviews

Salt & Straw Review 4.5 Star Rating

Salt & Straw

4.5 Star Rating
  • Selection: 5 pints per month
  • Priced from $229 for a 3-month subscription to $801 for a 12-month subscription
  • Shipping fees of $19 (total) regardless of club length
  • Club can last for 3, 6, or 12 months
  • Can choose 3 flavor profiles: Monthly (seasonal/special flavors), Best Sellers, or Dairy Free (vegan)
  • Melt-Free Guarantee
  • "A+” rated by the BBB

Salt & Straw is an artisanal ice cream company founded in 2011 by cousins Kim and Tyler Malek in Portland, Oregon (and, fun fact: it's partially owned by Dwayne "The Rock” Johnson). The company offers small-batch ice cream, and they frequently change their menu to showcase new flavors inspired by chefs and local ingredients. Salt & Straw has scoop shops across the US and offers online orders for nationwide delivery, known for its ever-changing menu of flavors and commitment to community causes.

3 options - including non-dairy

You've got three flavor profiles to choose from with Salt & Straw - including a Dairy-Free option (for what it's worth, there aren't many ice cream clubs that have a strictly dairy-free plan. Go figure!) The other two choices are Monthly Flavors - the limited-time combinations that are typically seasonal - and Best Sellers from Salt & Straw's everyday favorites. Here are just some of the flavors you might see with each one:

  • Monthly Flavors: Birthday Cakes & Blackberries, Wild-Foraged Berry Slab Pie, Goat Cheese Marionberry Habanero, GoNanas Strawberry Caramel Banana Bread, GoNanas Banana Blueberry Crumble
  • Dairy-Free: Peanut Butter Brittle Caramel Fudge, Roasted Pineapple Coconut Sherbet, Freckled Mint Chocolate Chip, Marionberry Coconut Sherbet, Hibiscus & Coconut Sherbet
  • Best Sellers: Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons, Double Fold Vanilla, Salted Malted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Gooey Brownie

More expensive but worth it

You'll pay a little more for this ice cream club - from $229 for three months to $801 for a year - but that's partly because you get more in each delivery, with five pints instead of the more industry-standard four. We were pleasantly surprised that while shipping fees aren't included in the monthly fee, we were only charged $19 total - whether we chose the 3- or the 12-month plan. Compared with ice cream clubs that charge $25 (or even double that) per delivery, that's a bargain.

You might get a discount

And, look around as you browse the Salt & Straw site for any discounts on offer. At the time of this review, there was a 20% savings pop-up with code PINTSCLUB20, valid on our first subscription order. Not a bad deal.

Best Ice Cream Clubs

No substitutions but skipping is okay

Salt & Straw doesn't offer flavor requests or substitutions: as your mom might say, "You get what you get and you don't have a fit.” Their pint packs might include both dairy-based and vegan options unless you specifically order the dairy-free collection, and across all flavor profiles you may encounter nuts or soy. It's up to you to keep that in mind based on who'll be eating the ice cream in your order. You can always skip an upcoming delivery in your customer dashboard, for allergies or just preferences.

Guaranteed not to arrive melted

Your monthly ice cream shipments are covered by Salt & Straw's Melt-Free Guarantee. If your treats aren't 100% frozen and in perfect shape when you open the box, just reach out via email. The company will send you a fresh batch at no charge.

People love this ice cream

While we'd really love to see some on-site reviews specifically for the ice cream club here, we have no trouble recommending Salt & Straw overall. The company is "A+” rated by the Better Business Bureau, and people from coast to coast rave about the flavors - both the traditional favorites and the always-rotating seasonal selections. That's especially true for the vegan/dairy-free ice cream here: as one customer put it, "I'm definitely not vegan, but this month the vegan flavor is my favorite one”.

Great club, particularly for vegan ice cream fans

Salt & Straw almost takes a first-place finish among ice cream clubs. For customers who need vegan/dairy-free selections every month, this may in fact be the only option on the market. And, for everyone else, if you can afford to pay a little more (and get a little more), this is a subscription you won't want to miss.

Where Can You Find the Best Ice Cream Clubs?

Are you an ice cream enthusiast? Do you enjoy indulging in a variety of delectable flavors, savoring each creamy spoonful? If so, then ice cream club subscriptions might just be your ticket to frozen bliss. These delightful memberships have grown in popularity and offer a convenient and exciting way to sample a wide range of mouthwatering ice cream flavors, delivered right to your doorstep.

So why subscribe to an ice cream club when you can just go to the grocery store? Well, maybe you don't want that hassle every time you need a frosty treat. With a subscription, you don't need to worry about making frequent trips to the store or standing in long lines in the heat of the summer, waiting for your cone to be passed already-dripping through the counter window. Ice cream is delivered directly to your home - well-packaged, of course, to stay nice and cold until you can pop it in your freezer.

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Ice Cream Club FAQ

An ice cream club subscription is a membership service that delivers a curated selection of ice creams to your doorstep on a regular basis. It allows you to explore a variety of flavors and brands without the need to shop for ice cream yourself.
The frequency of deliveries varies among different ice cream clubs. Some may deliver monthly, while others may have bi-monthly or quarterly deliveries. It ultimately depends on the specific club and the subscription plan you choose.
Yes, some ice cream clubs offer customization options. They allow you to personalize your ice cream selection based on your preferences, dietary needs, or flavor exclusions. Just be aware that sometimes this "customization” is really just letting you know in advance what flavors are coming and giving you the option to skip that month's delivery.
Yes, many ice cream clubs feature novel and/or seasonal flavors as part of their offerings. These flavors are often crafted by talented ice cream artisans, providing subscribers with exclusive access to special creations that may not be available in traditional retail stores or even the company's own scoop shops!
Maybe, but they're not so easy to find. Obviously, the hardest allergy or sensitivity to avoid with an ice cream club is... dairy! But if your particular allergens are nuts or other ingredients often found in ice cream, you'll probably need to do a little extra research before signing up for any specific club. You can always reach out to the club's customer service team too.
Absolutely! Ice cream club subscriptions make fantastic gifts. You can surprise a friend, family member, or loved one with a membership and treat them to a delightful assortment of ice creams. It's a thoughtful and unique present that brings joy and indulgence. Look for any extras that the club offers, like personalized gift cards or scheduling an announcement to be emailed on the date of your choice, to make your gift-giving extra-special.
Ice cream clubs take special care in packaging their products to maintain freshness during transit. They generally use insulated containers and dry ice to keep the ice cream frozen throughout the delivery process. This ensures that the ice cream arrives in excellent condition and is ready to be enjoyed right away or popped in your freezer for later.
Most ice cream clubs provide flexibility in managing your subscription. You can usually pause or skip deliveries for a certain period if you're going on vacation or need a break. Canceling the subscription is typically straightforward and can be done online or by contacting customer support, and refunds will usually be prorated for any upcoming months that won't be delivered.
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Continued from above...

And let's not forget about variety. Ice cream club subscriptions provide an unparalleled variety of flavors. These clubs often curate a diverse selection, ranging from classic favorites like vanilla and chocolate to innovative combinations such as salted caramel pretzel or strawberry cheesecake. You'll have the opportunity to sample flavors you may not find elsewhere. It's like having an ice cream expert as your personal guide, introducing you to hidden gems and unique concoctions you might have never tried otherwise.

Subscribing to an ice cream club can be a cost-effective option for ice cream enthusiasts. Many clubs offer subscription packages that provide better value for your money compared to buying individual pints or scoops from a grocery store or ice cream parlor. Additionally, some clubs offer discounts, free shipping, or special promotions to their members, allowing you to enjoy premium ice cream without breaking the bank.

And let's not forget about one of the best aspects of ice cream clubs - they're fun! Each delivery is like a mini celebration, as you eagerly await the arrival of new flavors or favorites that you've selected in advance. This anticipation adds a sense of excitement and joy to your ice cream consumption, turning it into a delightful ritual.

If you want to purchase an ice cream club subscription for yourself, or as a gift for someone else, here are a few things to keep in mind as you choose the perfect one to satisfy your sweet tooth:

  • Quantity. How much ice cream comes in every delivery? Most clubs come standard with four different pints per shipment, but a few include even more.
  • Price. What will you pay for your ice cream club? Is shipping included in the monthly fee? Do you pay upfront for the whole subscription term, or can you pay as each delivery ships?
  • Flavor Selection. Many ice cream clubs ship you a predetermined selection of flavors, but what if you don't like something that's on the schedule? Can you swap a flavor for something else, or skip that month's delivery and tack another one on the end of your plan? Of course, one of the perks of an ice cream club is trying flavors that might not even be available to the public, so don't be afraid to get adventurous.
  • Reputation: Research the ice cream club's reputation, customer reviews, and testimonials to gauge the overall satisfaction of existing subscribers. Look for clubs known for excellent customer service and consistently delivering high-quality ice cream flavors.

Ice cream club subscriptions offer a delightful journey through a myriad of flavors, providing convenience, variety, discovery, and sweet surprises. From classic to gourmet creations, there's an ice cream club for everyone, and Top Consumer Reviews has done the not-so-hard work of ranking today's most popular options. With the perfect ice cream club, you'll be on your way to experiencing frozen joy-in-a-spoonful and savoring the sweetest treats with each delivery.

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