Gifford's Famous Ice Cream
Bangor, ME • ★ 4.7 (801 Google reviews)
The Story
That sweet, familiar scent of sugar and cream welcomes you right off Broadway, promising a little slice of Americana inside. Stepping into the parlor feels like a happy trip back in time, where families gather for smiles and spoonfuls of famously rich, homemade ice cream. With every scoop, you taste the heart of Maine in those beloved flavors, a perfect treat enjoyed in such a charming old-fashioned spot.
From the Counter
Recent Google reviews
Hani Batla
★ 4 • a month ago
Great local ice cream we found going thru Bangor. Smooth delicious ice cream with lots of flavors. Good service.
Ethan Blodgett
★ 1 • 2 months ago
So, I have always loved Giffords Ice Cream. What Giffords has made...here in Maine. But when I witness, staff members actively refusing customers...I overheard him stating "Im using my right to refuse service" so he could serve his posse of teens/high schoolers. It appears its always a fun time at Giffords here in Bangor. I have no problems with local teens using it as a fun local spot to hang out. But they up-charge different prices too. Or perhaps the Waterville one did it wrong. I dont know. We asked for a 2 scoop Blueberry with extra peanut butter sauce on top. I was informed "We need to upcharge this due to the sauce and charge it out as a Sundae. Would you like whip cream, nuts, or a cherry?" I also receive a regular amount of peanut butter sauce, and went back to ask for the "extra peanut butter sauce" Id asked for. I saw the young male once again chatting up his posse, actively ignoring oring a growing line of customers around 7:40pm on May 31st, 2026. I raised my hand to ask him, and while I mentioned "could I have more peanut butter sauce", he replied "What did you get charged for" Not....Im sorry, or how can I help, or the friendly atiltituse Ive seen for 30+ years here. He instantly stood straight up, appeared confrontational and pushed me back to the coworker who had served me before. She had already forgotten about my order, minutes going by, and I was already too far beyond the point of caring. Im just saddened by this change. The ice cream rocks. The friendliness is gone. The professionalism is gone. Ive lost faith in the Bangor location. When I see staff members doing hand signals while waving arms at each other like they cant believe I'd ask for more peanut butter sauce....Im appalled. Im sad for this location & hope that things can change for the better. We still didnt get much of the 'extra peanut butter sauce', I felt being passed around by a person who works customer service, (10 years in customer service experience) was very disappointing. Id like to see this place get better as its one of the few things I look forward to here in Bangor.
PhillyFrank
★ 5 • 2 months ago
Wow! Gifford’s definitely lives up to the hype. The hardest part was deciding what to order because there were so many flavors and options. We especially appreciated the number of gluten-free choices, which is important for our family since we have a member with Celiac disease. The location is convenient, ordering was easy, and there was plenty of space to enjoy your ice cream either at the outdoor benches or in your car. I went with the coffee ice cream and the Cold Brew Peanut Butter Chocolate, and it was absolutely decadent. The staff was very friendly, and the whole experience was excellent. If you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth a stop.
William Kaye IV
★ 3 • 3 weeks ago
Ice cream was amazing, location is terrible due to the traffic. People coming out from gas station across the street seem to think revving up to top speed in under a second is a requirement and truly ruins the atmosphere.
