"Nick Charlap's has the best ice cream," said Lynda Brand of Boston while eating a cone.

Organizers at the Taste of Buffalo agree.

"We jumped in when it first started, which I believe was 1982,” Nick Charlap, owner of Nick Charlap’s Ice Cream.

  • Nick Charlap’s has been at the Taste of Buffalo for 35 years
  • Charlap’s will be located in front of New Era Cap
  • Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and raspberry custard are just a few options

Actually it was 1984, but he gets a pass. He's got brain freeze planning for the big weekend ahead.

"We used to take a big truck down there with a dipping cabinet and we only had eight flavors back in the day," Charlap recalled.

Times, like flavors, have changed, including the flavors up for grabs at Charlap's counters. Now they swirl up custard instead scoops of hard ice cream for their busiest weekend.

"We don't even listen for flavors anymore," Charlap smiled. "We just draw them and hand them over our back. We know someone will take them."

Speaking of flavors, what's going to satisfy those sweet tooths this year at the Taste of Buffalo?

"Vanilla, chocolate, or you can twist that," Charlap listed.

There will also be black raspberry and strawberry.

"You can twist that, which doesn't sound good, but it comes out as a wonderful flavor," Charlap said.

And for those who can't indulge in dairy, there’s an option for you.

"We'll have pineapple Dole whip and lemon Dole whip," Charlap said.

Then there’s the specialty sundae, the all-American favorite: Hot fudge.

"If it isn't broke, don't fix it," Charlap laughed.

Don't worry; there will be plenty of spoonfuls and lots of ice cream cones to go around.

"About 300 gallons of mix in two days," Charlap said.

That doesn't include the Dole whip or the sundaes.

"Last year we did about 1,400," Charlap said.

As for prep, it's all about ordering and setting up each morning, while hoping it’s warm enough for everyone to want a treat to cool down.

"That the product is looking good, and that the chocolate is the chocolate and the vanilla is the vanilla," he smiled.

And if that doesn’t happen or people aren’t lapping up their cone – can they be returned?

"Oh yes, absolutely," Charlap said.

Just don’t return half-eaten cones.