Max & Mina's Ice Cream

- 71-26 Main St, Flushing, NY 11367

Introduction / Overview

For New Yorkers seeking an ice cream experience that is far from ordinary, Max & Mina's Ice Cream in Flushing, Queens, is a certified destination. Since opening its doors in 1997, this family-owned shop, named after the owners’ grandparents, Max and Mina Sockloff, has become legendary for its dedication to creating an astonishing, and seemingly infinite, repertoire of flavors. It’s not just a place for a cold treat; it's a unique cultural landmark where ice cream art is taken to a whole new, eccentric level.

Brothers Bruce and Mark Becker continue the legacy of their grandfather, a chemist who made homemade ice cream, by constantly experimenting. They have created close to 16,000 flavors over the years, though only a rotating selection of around 30 are available on any given day. This constant innovation is what draws customers from across the city and beyond, eager to try the latest inventive creation. While you will always find classic flavors, Max & Mina's is best known for its daring, often nostalgic, and sometimes savory inventions. Favorite in-house creations often draw inspiration from childhood breakfast cereals and pop culture, such as the vibrant blue Cookie Monster and the cake-batter-based Spongebob flavor.

The interior of the shop is as much a part of the experience as the ice cream itself. It’s an immersion into nostalgia, with the walls and ceilings covered in a wildly diverse, visually overwhelming display of cereal boxes, bumper stickers, decals, and more—a reflection of the fun and uniqueness of the flavors they churn out. The welcoming atmosphere, combined with the staff’s renowned patience and willingness to offer samples, makes every visit a delightful escape from the hustle of New York life.

Location and Accessibility

Max & Mina's Ice Cream is conveniently situated in the heart of Queens, specifically at:

Address:

71-26 Main St, Flushing, NY 11367, USA

This Main Street address places the shop in the vibrant Kew Gardens Hills area, easily accessible to residents of Flushing and surrounding Queens neighborhoods. For those arriving by car, the shop is accessible from major roadways, and provides various parking options, a considerable benefit in a busy borough like Queens. Patrons have access to both Free street parking and Paid street parking, along with On-site parking.

Accessibility is a priority at Max & Mina's, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their unique desserts. The location features a Wheelchair accessible entrance and a Wheelchair accessible parking lot. For customers who prefer to relax and enjoy their treats immediately, Seating is available within the casual, family-friendly atmosphere. The shop is also remarkably accommodating for pet owners, noting that Dogs are allowed inside and Dogs are allowed outside, making it a perfect stop for a quick family outing with four-legged friends.

Services Offered

Max & Mina's Ice Cream offers a range of services designed for flexibility, whether you are planning a special event or simply stopping by for a quick treat.

• In-Store Sampling and Purchase: Visitors are encouraged to engage in In-store shopping and take advantage of the generous policy that allows for trying numerous flavors before making a final decision. The friendly staff are known for their helpfulness and patience, ensuring a satisfying selection.
• Takeout Service: Quick and easy Takeout options are available for customers who want to grab their scoops and go, perfect for a spontaneous treat or a quick stop.
• Delivery: For days when leaving the house is not an option, the shop offers Delivery service, bringing pints, quarts, and various pre-packaged options right to your New York doorstep.
• Onsite Services for Events: Max & Mina's can elevate specialty events by providing Onsite services featuring their rare and luxurious gourmet ice creams, adding a flair of charm and the taste of the avant-garde to any gathering.
• Retail Ice Cream Offerings: The shop carries a wide selection of pints and bars from premium brands, in addition to their homemade scoops, including:
• Ben & Jerry's (e.g., Half Baked, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Tonight Dough)
• Breyers (e.g., Natural Vanilla, Oreo)
• Magnum (e.g., Double Sea Salt Caramel, Mini Ruby Ice Cream Bars)
• Talenti (e.g., Caramel Cookie Crunch, Salted Caramel Truffle Layers)
• Ice Cream Bundles: Convenient, pre-selected bundles of premium brand ice cream are available, such as Ben & Jerry's "The Hits" ($23.97) and "All About the Dough" ($23.97), ideal for stocking the freezer.
• Payment Flexibility: The shop accepts modern payment methods, including Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

Features / Highlights

The features of Max & Mina's Ice Cream are centered on innovation, quality, and a deeply nostalgic customer experience, making it a standout ice cream destination in NYC.

• Thousands of Unique Flavors: Max & Mina's is famous for its massive flavor repertoire of over 16,000 creations. While only about 30 are available daily, these flavors are constantly rotating and often include unconventional options like Lox, Pickle, Horseradish, Beer, Babka, Cholent (a Sabbath stew), and various experimental combinations.
• Nostalgic Cereal-Themed Creations: A popular specialty is the cereal-inspired line, which has featured flavors like Captain Crunch Cookies and Cream, Fruity Pebbles, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Rice Krispies, appealing to childhood memories.
• Iconic House Flavors: Must-try, regularly featured homemade creations include Cookie Monster (blue vanilla base with multiple cookies mixed in) and Spongebob (cake batter base with birthday cake pieces, sprinkles, and chocolate sandwich cookies).
• Exceptional Customer Service and Sampling: The staff is highly praised for being friendly and very helpful. They offer generous, even unlimited, sampling to ensure every customer, even the most indecisive, finds a flavor they love, enhancing the casual and family-friendly experience.
• Unique, Nostalgic Ambiance: The shop’s interior is a spectacle in itself, plastered with a wild collection of cereal boxes and pop culture memorabilia that creates a fun, immersive, and nostalgic atmosphere for a great dessert experience.
• Commitment to Quality: Despite the eccentric flavors, the homemade ice creams are known for their rich, creamy texture and quality ingredients.
• Kosher Status: The shop’s adherence to kosher practices, including closing for the Sabbath, is a key feature, especially for the local community, demonstrating a commitment to tradition alongside innovation.

Contact Information

New Yorkers wishing to visit or contact Max & Mina's Ice Cream can use the following details:

Address:

71-26 Main St, Flushing, NY 11367, USA

Phone:

(718) 793-8629

Mobile Phone:

+1 718-793-8629

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing Max & Mina's Ice Cream is choosing to step out of the conventional New York dessert rut and into a realm of pure, culinary creativity. The primary reason to visit is to participate in the legendary flavor experience.

Instead of settling for a mundane scoop, you have the opportunity to taste something truly unique. For the adventurous foodie, sampling one of the daring, savory-leaning flavors, such as a pickle or horseradish ice cream, is a rite of passage. These are the flavors that have earned the shop its national fame, proving that ice cream can truly be an art form.

For those who prefer a safer, yet still highly creative option, the cereal-based flavors are an absolute must-try. Go for the Cookie Monster or the Captain Crunch Cookies and Cream—these are the flavors that flawlessly blend high-quality, creamy homemade ice cream with a powerful hit of childhood nostalgia. As one customer noted, the combination of Cookie Monster with Peanut Butter Pudding or Cotton Candy is a satisfying blend of popular house flavors that shows the fun of mixing and matching. The staff’s friendliness and encouragement to sample flavors mean that you are guaranteed to find a perfect match, no matter how long the process takes.

Ultimately, Max & Mina's is more than an ice cream shop; it is a nostalgic escape and a testament to the fact that, in Queens, innovation and tradition can be served up perfectly in the same frozen scoop. It is well worth the trip—even the two-mile walk mentioned by one satisfied customer—to experience one of the city's most delightful and delicious institutions.

Max & Mina's Ice Cream

71-26 Main St, Flushing, NY 11367, USA