G&D's

Little Clarendon Street, looking west. G&D's is just on the left.

George and Davis' Ice Cream Cafe (and its sister shop 'George & Danver') has been referred to by the local and national press, BBC television, international travel guides and 'town' (local residents) and 'gown' (students) as an 'Oxford tradition'. This is, of course, a bit of a tongue-in-cheek reference given that Oxford is an ancient town steeped in traditions, particularly those associated with Oxford University which was founded in the 1200s; however, this reference reflects the esteem in which this small, eccentric and friendly business is held. The shop was founded in 1992 by George Stroup, an American Oxford University student with the active help of an assortment of his friends including fellow students (not least team mates from the University's ice hockey team) and staff from the University. The shop in Little Clarendon Street soon flourished, selling not only ice cream, but also other items on George's list of favourites including brownies, chocolate cake, and bagels. The shops prides themselves on being inviting to everyone but most of their customers are students. The shops have a 'quirky' atmosphere, and fun and games are an integral part of shop life. Contests to win half litres of ice cream feature every week, with challenges such as throwing a cow through a basketball hoop, and mooing competitions. On Tuesday nights, patrons receive a twenty percent discount for bringing anything with a cow on it, in accordance with the shops theme of cows, which cover every available surface. Customers are also invited to fill out a 'flavour petition' in which they can create a flavour, which, if thirty people sign it, will get made. The shop can be quite busy with cues (lines) of people extending out the door (especially at night) and becomes a bit of 'scene' in nicest sense, with lively conversations and good humour abounding. Many students and some prominent scholars and authors credit G&Ds with helping them persevere. It is a popular meeting place, including for informal tutorials and seminars. In 2003, a second shop was opened to compliment the first, on St. Aldates, with more space, a larger service area, and a more accessible location to the mainstream public. All the ice cream is still made on the premises in the Little Clarendon Street shop. In terms of competition, the only other ice cream-themed shops that have appeared in Oxford have been of the multi-national Häagen-Dazs chain; one shop openned in Cornmarket St. (c.a 1993) but closed within a few years; another shop openned in George Street (c.a 1998) and suffered the same fate. Oxford's 'town and gown' feel a strong loyalty towards G&D's, not least because they view it as 'Oxford's Own'. The flow of people from all nations through Oxford (especially students and tourists) has given G&D's a worldwide reputation.

Flavours

The shops are, of course, best known for their wide variety of ice cream flavours, including:

Blueberry (Oxford Blue), Mars Bar, Double Decker, Mango sorbet, White Chocolate, Green Tea, Passion fruit sorbet, After Eight mint, Mint Aero, Crunchie Bar, Belgian Chocolate, Gin and Tonic Sorbet, Turkish Delight, Kenyan Coffee, Pistachio, Strawberry and Rasberry, to name a but a few.

They have produced some more experimental flavours, such as Port and Blue Cheese, and Chocolate and Chilli.

Links

gdcafe.com George and Davis' official site