The Super Bowl of Ice Cream

To continue with the theme of sugar-packed fatty goodness...the Scooper Bowl is finally here.

The Scooper Bowl isn't a health conscious event, but that's why Bostonist will be wearing the big pants to work starting today, June 7th thru the 9th. While it might not help you lose the weight this upcoming summer season, it will help others' health seeing as all the money (7 dollars for adults) goes to The Jimmy Fund and their cancer research. With at least 10 companies providing over 50 different flavors of ice cream, everyone will get to be a Scooper Bowl Champion. The event began in 1983, and since then, the citizens of Boston have consumed more than 200 tons of ice cream. For seven dollars, we sure have gotten our money's worth at this all you can eat event.

In case you want to slip into a complete ice cream coma, this past Saturday the local critic known only as the Phantom Gourmet reviewed New England ice cream stands. While the Phantom is best known for his local restaurant reviews, for those in the mood for ice cream, this show provided a great guide to the best and worst local spots to hit. You can see in-depth reviews of four specific shops as well as a listing of New England's Eight Greatest Ice Cream shops.

When it comes to chain stores in Boston's ice cream scene, the overall fan favorite (based on the lines out the door on certain nights) seems to be Ben and Jerry's and J.P. Licks which both expand the flavors of ice cream to satisfy any taste bud. On the flip side, in one online poll by Citysearch, Christina's Ice Cream in Inman Square won for best individual ice cream store. While Bostonist enjoys Christina's, we would have skewed the polls towards Kimball Farms in Westford. Not only do we think they have the best ice cream in the state, but you can try out one of their two mini golf courses, or ride the bumper boats in their man-made pond. If you really want to get crazy, try out their late-night driving range or their Par 3 Pitch and Putt.

Does anything sound more perfect than a hole in one while polishing off a hot fudge-filled Sunday? How about an all you can eat ice cream during your lunch break?

Contributed by Matthew Nelson