Imagine a place where ice cream is not just a treat, but a way of life.
Where the scoop is mightier than the sword, and brain freeze is a badge of honor.
Welcome to Gordy’s Warming House in Cloquet, Minnesota.
Nestled in the heart of Cloquet, a small city that’s big on charm, Gordy’s Warming House stands as a beacon of sweetness in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
This is not just any old ice cream parlor, folks.
It’s a bona fide Minnesota institution, serving up scoops of joy faster than you can say “You betcha!”
As you approach Gordy’s, you can’t miss the giant ice cream cone perched atop the building like a sugary sentinel.
It’s as if the ice cream gods themselves descended upon Cloquet and declared, “Let there be dessert!”
Step inside, and you’re transported to a world where calories don’t count and happiness is measured in sprinkles.
The warm wood interior feels like a cozy cabin, if cabins were designed by Willy Wonka with a Minnesotan twist.
The air is thick with the sweet aroma of waffle cones and freshly brewed coffee, a combination that should be bottled and sold as “Essence of Pure Joy.”
Now, let’s talk about the star of the show: the ice cream.
Gordy’s doesn’t just serve ice cream; they serve up scoops of frozen happiness that would make even the most stoic Minnesotan crack a smile.
Their flavors range from classic vanilla (which is anything but “vanilla” in taste) to creative concoctions that would make Ben and Jerry jealous.
Ever had a scoop of “Pumpkin Delight”?
It’s like autumn decided to take a vacation in your mouth.
And don’t get me started on their shakes and malts.
They’re thicker than a Minnesotan accent and smoother than a freshly zambonied ice rink.
The menu board at Gordy’s is like a treasure map, with X marking the spot for deliciousness.
You’ve got your “Classic Softserve” for the traditionalists, your “Hard Ice Cream” for the adventurous souls, and even “Dairy Free Ice Cream” for those who like to live on the wild side.
And let’s not forget the “Mango Sorbet” – because sometimes you need a tropical vacation in your mouth, even when you’re in Minnesota.
But Gordy’s is not just about the ice cream.
Oh no, my friends.
They’ve got a whole “Coffee & Creams” situation going on that would make Seattle green with envy.
Their coffee is so good, it might just convince you that you don’t need sleep.
Who needs sleep when you have caffeine and sugar, am I right?
Now, I know what you’re thinking.
“But what about the winter? Surely an ice cream shop in Minnesota can’t survive the cold months?”
Oh, ye of little faith!
Gordy’s Warming House lives up to its name when the temperature drops.
They serve up hot cocoa that’s so rich and creamy, it could probably run for office.
And their seasonal specials?
Let’s just say their “Peppermint Mocha” has been known to cure cases of winter blues faster than you can say “uff da.”
But what really sets Gordy’s apart is not just the food and drinks.
It’s the atmosphere.
It’s the kind of place where the staff knows your name, your order, and probably your life story by your third visit.
They’ve mastered the art of “Minnesota Nice” to such a degree that you half expect them to offer you a casserole and invite you to their next potluck.
The decor is a delightful mix of retro charm and modern comfort.
The walls are adorned with local art and vintage ice cream ads that’ll have you feeling nostalgic for a time you probably never even lived through.
And don’t even get me started on the seating.
Those wooden chairs are so comfortable, you might forget you came for ice cream and accidentally spend the whole day there.
Not that anyone would blame you, of course.
Now, let’s talk about the clientele.
Gordy’s is the kind of place that brings people together faster than a Vikings touchdown.
You’ll see families celebrating little league victories, couples on first dates (because nothing says romance like sharing a banana split), and groups of friends solving the world’s problems over cups of coffee.
It’s like a Norman Rockwell painting, if Norman Rockwell had a serious sweet tooth and a penchant for flannel.
And the best part?
Gordy’s is open year-round.
That’s right, folks.
They’re serving up scoops of happiness whether it’s 90 degrees or 9 degrees outside.
Because in Minnesota, we don’t let a little thing like sub-zero temperatures stop us from enjoying the finer things in life.
In fact, I’m pretty sure eating ice cream in the dead of winter is some sort of unofficial state sport.
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But Gordy’s is not just about indulgence.
Oh no, they’re all about balance.
That’s why they offer fruit toppings.
Because nothing says “health food” like a banana sliced over three scoops of chocolate fudge ripple, right?
It’s practically a salad at that point.
At least, that’s what I tell myself.
And for those of you watching your waistlines, fear not!
Gordy’s has mastered the art of portion control.
Their “one scoop” is roughly the size of your head.
See? Totally reasonable.
Now, I know what you’re thinking.
“This place sounds too good to be true. What’s the catch?”
Well, my friends, the only catch is that once you’ve experienced Gordy’s, no other ice cream will ever measure up.
You’ll find yourself making excuses to drive to Cloquet.
“Oh, I just need to check on the… trees. Yeah, the trees. They have great trees in Cloquet.”
But let’s be honest, we all know you’re going for the ice cream.
And that’s okay.
We don’t judge here.
In fact, we encourage it.
Because life’s too short for bad ice cream.
And speaking of life being too short, let’s talk about Gordy’s sundaes.
These aren’t your average, run-of-the-mill sundaes.
Oh no.
These are works of art.
Masterpieces of dairy.
The Sistine Chapel of sweetness.
Their “Caramel Cashew Turtle Sundae” is so good, it should come with a warning label: “May cause spontaneous outbursts of joy and uncontrollable happy dances.”
But Gordy’s is not just about the classics.
They’re constantly innovating, coming up with new flavors and combinations that’ll knock your wool socks off.
Ever had a “Maple Bacon” ice cream?
No?
Well, prepare to have your mind blown and your taste buds sent to flavor heaven.
It’s like breakfast and dessert had a baby, and that baby was delicious.
And let’s not forget about their seasonal specials.
When fall rolls around, their “Pumpkin Spice” offerings make those fancy coffee chains look like amateurs.
It’s like they distilled the essence of autumn and turned it into ice cream.
If leaves could change flavor instead of color, this is what they’d taste like.
But Gordy’s is not just about the food.
It’s about the experience.
It’s about the way the sunlight streams through the windows, making the ice cream sparkle like diamonds.
It’s about the sound of laughter mixing with the clinking of spoons against glass bowls.
It’s about the feeling of pure, unadulterated happiness that comes from that first bite of your favorite flavor.
In a world that can sometimes feel a little too serious, a little too grown-up, Gordy’s Warming House is a reminder that it’s okay to indulge in a little childlike wonder now and then.
It’s a place where you can forget about your troubles, if only for the time it takes to finish a cone (which, let’s be honest, is not very long because their ice cream is just that good).
And let’s not forget about the people behind the counter.
The unsung heroes of happiness.
The ice cream artisans who scoop with precision, top with flair, and serve with a smile that could melt even the coldest Minnesota winter.
They’re not just employees, they’re memory makers.
Joy spreaders.
Happiness engineers.
They’re the ones who remember that you like extra sprinkles on your vanilla cone, or that you always get a small coffee with your large sundae (because balance, right?).
They’re the ones who make Gordy’s more than just an ice cream shop.
They make it a community.
A sweet, creamy, delicious community.
So, the next time you find yourself in Cloquet, or heck, anywhere within a 100-mile radius, do yourself a favor and stop by Gordy’s Warming House.
Your taste buds will thank you.
Your Instagram feed will thank you.
And your inner child?
Well, they’ll be doing a happy dance that would put any TikTok trend to shame.
Because at Gordy’s, every day is a celebration of sweetness, of community, and of the simple joy that comes from a really good scoop of ice cream.
It’s more than just a dessert spot.
It’s a Minnesota treasure.
A landmark of lactose.
A beacon of bliss in a world that could always use a little more sweetness.
So go on, treat yourself.
After all, you’re in Minnesota.
You’ve probably burned enough calories just shoveling snow to justify a triple scoop sundae with extra hot fudge.
And remember, calories don’t count when you’re making memories.
At least, that’s what I tell myself every time I visit Gordy’s.
Which, between you and me, is probably more often than my doctor would recommend.
But hey, life’s short.
Eat dessert first.
For more information about this ice cream paradise, be sure to check out Gordy’s Warming House’s website.
And when you’re ready to embark on your own sweet adventure, use this map to guide you to frozen nirvana.
Where: 411 Sunnyside Dr, Cloquet, MN 55720
Trust me, your taste buds will write you a thank-you note.