Haven’t heard of Big Gay Ice Cream Truck or Shop? Well that stops now. For the past few years the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck has been driving around town with its creamy soft serve made into whimsical and creative ice cream cones and sundaes like The Salty Pimp (vanilla ice cream injected with dulce de leche and covered in chocolate and sea salt) or the Mermaid (vanilla ice cream with key lime curd, graham crackers and whipped cream).
Word of their greatness spread fast and pretty soon the boys at BGIC were setting up permanent shop in where else but the East Village! On what might be my favorite food and drink blocks in the city (7th Street where Porsena, Jimmy’s No. 43, Caracas, Lukes Lobster, and others are), Big Gay Ice Cream makes it presence known with not just its name but also the giant pink unicorn splashed across the front wall and its colorful front awning and window where some days you may find a drag queen hanging outside to lure you in!
With a few minutes to spare before a meeting down the street last week I stopped by for a sweet treat on one of those hot days where we thought fall was here but global warming sneaked in. If there was any day to enjoy BGIC, this was it! So I strolled to the store and was surprised to not see a line! Usually the place is packed but this time I only had to wait patiently for three kids just out of school to order and then BGIC was all mine!
I’ve tried everything on the menu (the Bea Arthur with vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche and crushed nilla wafers is my go to) but the CocoCone for some weird reason. This seemed like a simple cone (vanilla ice cream dipped in toasted curry coconut) but it turned out to be so much more.
First off the ice cream’s texture (that they use for every cone and sundae) is right on and very easy to eat. It melts kinda fast so you can’t really take this on the go for too long but trust me, it won’t take more than few seconds to realize you’ll be scarfing this down in no time. The addition of the curried coconut is genius, pure genius. Now I love me some curry but I know others aren’t too keen on the stuff but don’t let that deter you….it’s subtle enough that you won’t think you’re taking in the scent of an outdoor Indian curry market and sweet enough to complement the ice cream wonderfully. Like I said it’s sweetly spiced and has a faint smokiness. It’s not too indulgent (if you want that go for the Salty Pimp) and it’s a light (yes light) treat compared to the other stuff they serve (in addition to the above they also serve Melt Bakery ice cream sandwiches and milkshakes).
Simply put, Big Gay Ice Cream is my Big Gay Delicious Obsession! Check it out for yourself….. the unicorn and drag queen await your arrival 
125 East 7th Street (between 1st & Avenue A)
I think the thing I miss the most about NYC is Big Gay! I suggest trying to coccone with the addition of their ginger syrup. It’s to die for!