In the 1930s and ’40s, it wasn’t uncommon to find an ice cream fountain tucked away in a neighborhood pharmacy. By the ’50s, local entrepreneurs were pioneering standalone ice cream fountains. One of the earliest in San Francisco was Cooper’s Corner Confections and Fountain Shoppe, founded by J.B. Cooper. The owners of San Francisco Creamery Co. were so inspired by Mr. Cooper and other early ice cream fountain founders that they pay homage to them in their modern shop.

This means they do things the old-fashioned way, not only crafting their own ice cream in-house, but also whipping up homemade batches of caramel, chocolate syrup, and butterscotch. You’ll notice the extra care when you dig into a sundae or slurp down a milkshake at San Francisco Creamery Co. The eatery also dishes out savory American bites like burgers, grilled sandwiches, and pasta if you’re craving more than ice cream.