In July 1984, man of my heart (and stomach)—President Ronald Reagan—declared the month of July as National Ice Cream Month. That’s right, an entire month dedicated to that creamy, dairy delight. Thanks, Mr. President! And although July has come and gone with it’s best excuse to eat ice cream everyday with it, we still have today: National Ice Cream Sandwich Day. Celebrate this frozen treat day with one, two or even three of the six sweet sandwiches in the Mile High City.

Little Man Ice Cream – Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Ice Cream

Little Man's Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Ice Cream.

Little Man’s Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Ice Cream.

It’s hard to have an ice cream list without one of Denver’s staple hand-dipped shops, like Little Man, popping up at least once. Their Red Velvet Ice Cream Sandwich is hands down one treat that is better than the cupcake version. Silky cream cheese ice cream made with buttermilk, cream, sugar and a little bit of cream cheese is sandwiched between two extra soft and chewy house-made, red velvet cookie rounds. 

Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs – Chipotle Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich

Chipotle Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich.

Chipotle Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich.

Jim Pittenger, owner of Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs and Pop’s Place, is no stranger to finding creative takes on classics. Not only does his “dog” spot offer a unique take on proteins, but their ice cream sandwich has a special twist, as well. The chipotle brownie ice cream sandwich is a rich, house-made chipotle-spiced brownie filled with a sweet cinnamon ice cream that’s then topped with a generous drizzle of chocolate sauce. Grab two spoons and your best friend—this one is meant to be happily shared.

Ice Cream Riot – Make Your Own Pop-tart Ice Cream Sandwich

Ice Cream Riot Pop-Tart Sandwich.

Ice Cream Riot Pop-Tart Sandwich.

When tasting potential list-worthy sandwiches, I was especially intrigued by Ice Cream Riot’s Pop-Tarts sandwiches. Jim McNutt, proud Philly-transplant and owner of Ice Cream Riot, is on to something with his wacky, colorful flavors and the addition of Pop-Tarts as the “bread.” When the option to build-your-own ice cream sandwich is there, you take it and run wild. I had to go for the brightly frosted Wild Cherry Pop-Tarts and a surprisingly delicious Fruity Pebble ice cream squeezed between the pastries. If you’re looking for an unexpected twist on the classic ice cream sandwich, this is the scoop for you.

D Bar – Seasonal Cherry Waffle Sammie

D Bar's Seasonal Cherry Waffle Sammie.

D Bar’s Seasonal Cherry Waffle Sammie.

If you could ever take three of my favorite things and put them on a plate, it would look something like this. Summer is here and cherries are tart and plentiful. D Bar’s cherry waffle sammie is two fluffy waffles, rich and creamy vanilla bean ice cream and fresh, not-too-sweet, in-season cherries. If I thought it would go unnoticed, I would’ve licked this platter clean. While this seasonal dessert rotates out when the cherries are gone, you’ll find an equally crave-worthy bananas Foster waffle sammie in its place.

Bones – Omar’s Churro Ice Cream Sandwich

Omar's Churro Ice Cream Sandwich at Bones.

Omar’s Churro Ice Cream Sandwich at Bones.

Chef Omar, the churro ice cream sandwich’s namesake, carefully makes this decadent treat a must-try. A crisp, buttery churro is sprinkled with a generous hand of cinnamon and sugar—still warm and sliced in half—then filled with cool, creamy vanilla ice cream and drizzled with a sweet caramel sugar sauce. There’s really nothing quite like a warm pastry and a scoop of cold ice cream on a hot summer night.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot – Ice Cream Sammy

WTF's Ice Cream Sammy.

WTF’s Ice Cream Sammy.

If you’ve ever gone to the freezer for that personal stash of cookie dough ice cream only to be disappointed by the amount of “dough” there actually is your pint, then I can assure you that Whiskey Tango Foxtrot’s ice cream sammy is all your doughy-pint dreams come true. Cool and creamy vanilla ice cream is tightly hugged between two sheets of ooey cookie dough nostalgia.

All photography by Lucy Beaugard.