Fat Daddy's Ice Cream

This article is from our print magazine issued April 1st 2022. To order a copy of the magazine please do so here.

Upon entering the Fat Daddy's on 888 N 1st Ave in Downtown Phoenix, you see a big brick and metal building with tall old glass windows. Above the store are apartments which make it a cool place to have a cute ice cream shop. The atmosphere in the shop is relaxing and refreshing, almost like being in a coffee shop. The floors are industrial with a shinny light gray color. The decor is an industrial chic look. The sofa to the left, of you walking in, creates the vintage cozy industrial vibe.

It is quiet and you hear the jazz playing on the radio, yet customers come in and out getting quality ice cream selections. The chalkboard menu is creative and colorful. Grabbing your attention as soon as you walk in the door. The prices are affordable, and the ice cream selection ranges from cotton candy and cookie dough to birthday cake and coconut. They don't just serve ice cream they also have tea smoothies and coffee. You gather the main colors are pink and white from the logo outdoors and the big pink wall behind the chalk board.

From the sofa you see through the big glass windows the cars going back and forth on Roosevelt street, a historic area where elite residents use to live, allows you to see the large Trinity Cathedral Church, luxury condos and beautiful trees dropping the winter leaves. Due to Covid the staff is currently required to wear mask and disinfect surface areas regularly.

Angel Santiago, an employee of Fat Daddy’s, is helping customers quickly as they come in and seem very familiar with the options. When asked what his favorite item on the menu is he states, "All the ice cream is my favorite here because we make it from scratch," Angel Santiago.

As I sit down with Lana Zhou, the owner of Fat Daddy’s, she is asked the same questions and responds, “The cookie cup is my favorite.” Simply because it is different and delicious.

Currently they have two locations, on in Downtown Phoenix and one in Scottsdale. They have no intention on opening another location at the moment because they want to still have quality time for family.

"First Fridays are really busy for us, since we are the only ice cream shop in our location, Angel Santiago.”

First Fridays in Downtown Phoenix is like a monthly celebration with shops staying open later and hundreds of Arizonans flocking together to appreciate the beauty of downtown and the hundreds of businesses there.

“This place is like a hidden gem,” Angel Santiago.

When asked about the concept of Fat Daddy’s, Lana stated she purchased the business from three owners who didn’t do much with the business in Scottsdale. Then someone told her about a nice space downtown, she saw it and thought it would be great for the second location.

"I love the energy here,” Lana Zhou.

They opened in 2019 just two weeks before the national Covid shut down. They were open two weeks, then closed for six months.

"If we can make it through the quarantine, hopefully we can make it through anything," Angel Santiago.

So what makes this ice cream shop different from other ice cream shops? First the ice cream and macarons are made in house. Second, they have an old school milk man that comes every Friday to deliver. Third, the decor makes you feel at home and lastly, Lana thinks of it as a family business. This isn’t a big chain store, they want the relationship with customers to feel like family.

That is what inspired the decor.

“I like to be simple and open,” says Lana. I want people to feel comfortable and at home.

Fat Daddy’s is maintaining during the current Covid scare and has been an ice cream “home” for the last two years too many downtown residents. This small owned business is making a big name for itself. We are sure it will be around for years to come. Another fabulous meal to share with you wonderful people. Happy Eating.