The best vanilla ice cream at Bay Area grocery stores, according to our taste test
By Mario Cortez
September 24, 2025
At almost any Bay Area grocery store, it’s easy to get lost in the freezer aisle. Picking up a simple pint of vanilla ice cream has never been a bigger dilemma, with local and national brands competing for shelf space.
That’s why the San Francisco Chronicle’s Food & Wine team gathered on a warm, sunny afternoon, to sample 13 vanilla ice creams that you can find at your local supermarket. The Chronicle selected vanilla because it’s the best-selling flavor nationwide, according to data from grocery delivery platform Instacart. That’s probably because it’s so versatile: It’s the go-to for affogatos, sundaes or when you need to top a warm slice of pie. And by choosing vanilla, our team was able to make direct comparisons across brands.
Photo: Stephen Lam/S.F. Chronicle
1. Straus Vanilla Bean. Score: 7
Stalwart Northern California dairy Straus Family Farms and its french Vanilla flavor came out on top of the Chronicle’s vanilla ice cream taste test. Simply put, Mobley wrote, there’s a “lotta vanilla” in the blend. I found it to be well balanced and nutty.
Read the full article from the San Francisco Chronicle
