Strickland’s Ice Cream is celebrating a sweet milestone: one year since opening its Costa Mesa location, bringing nearly nine decades of frozen dessert tradition to the heart of Orange County. Originally founded in Akron, Ohio, in 1936, the brand has become synonymous with a richer, denser style of ice cream—crafted using vintage machinery and a commitment to freshness that hasn’t wavered since its first scoop.
At a glance, the Costa Mesa shop feels like a throwback—simple, charming, and proudly analog in a digital age. But step inside, and the experience is anything but ordinary. Each batch of ice cream is made on-site using replication of the original machines from the 1930s, which churn small volumes with minimal air. The result is a signature texture: ultra-creamy, almost chewy, and unmistakably Strickland’s.
This location was opened by Neil Liu, a devoted Strickland’s fan and longtime customer of the former Irvine store, which served the community for nearly 15 years before closing. Costa Mesa now serves as the brand’s West Coast hub, a space where tradition meets reinvention—and where guests line up for daily flavor rotations, Arctic Twisters, and milkshakes that have been recognized as some of the best in the region.
Flavor is central to the Strickland’s experience, and no visit is ever quite the same. The “Flavor of the Day” calendar keeps things fresh, while perennial favorites like Reese’s Cup, Snickers, and Oreo & Banana return regularly. Ingredients are simple and purposeful—real fruit, high-quality dairy, and nostalgic mix-ins—crafted to highlight taste and texture rather than artificial complexity.
Beyond the ice cream itself, the Costa Mesa location has quickly grown into a local fixture. Families, date-nighters, and longtime fans have embraced the shop’s mix of comfort and quality, often stopping in for Milkshake Mondays, where every shake is upsized from 3–7 p.m. (one per customer per order). The tradition that started nearly 90 years ago with Bill Strickland’s first Ohio stand now lives on in a new neighborhood—without losing its soul.
With recognition from CBS Los Angeles, the LA Times, and Yelp OC—where it was named a Top Five Milkshake Magic Spot—Strickland’s Costa Mesa has earned both regional buzz and lasting affection.
From Akron to Orange County, the legacy of Strickland’s continues—one creamy, handcrafted scoop at a time.
