Enjoy Ice Cream Anytime at Black + White Modern Creamery
The new creamery from the owners of Chocollazo delayed its opening due to COVID-19 but its sweet treats were worth the wait
By Katherine Stinson
Published: January/February 2021
Photo Courtesy Black + White Modern Creamery
Mary Collazo specializes in handmade sweet treats but when it came to ice cream at Chocollazo dessert shops, which she owns along with her husband Frank, they were serving Häagen-Dazs.
"It never quite felt right—not only were flavors extremely limited, but it was the only thing in the shop we didn't make by hand," she says. "And who doesn't love ice cream?"
She and Frank, who started their business out of a food truck in 2013, conceived of a creamery that would operate near Chocollazo's Broadway storefront and signed a lease in March with plans to open by summer. "That was about two weeks before the shutdown," Collazo says. "There was no way to move forward opening a new business when our existing businesses were suffering. We made the decision to move forward at a much slower pace (but) to get open, no matter how long it took."
They missed summer but were welcoming dessert fans by October, and Collazo says the reception has been just as warm as they hoped it would be with triple digit temperatures outside.
"The concept was to create a San Antonio-born-and-bred ice cream shop that features really unique flavors, far outside of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry," Collazo says. "There was really nothing like this that existed, and considering we are already in the sweets game, it seemed like a logical next step."
Flavors rotate monthly but favorites have included cereal milk, Big Red, horchata and a honey cornbread, featuring cornbread baked in-house and drizzles of honey. At least five dairy-free and/or vegan options are always available; past flavors have included cookies and cream, cilantro lime and Texas sweet tea. "There's something for everyone to enjoy," Collazo says. "There are so many people that struggle with dairy, and people that eat a vegan diet, that we couldn't leave them out."
The shop itself has a modern, urban aesthetic that Collazo says is complemented by black cones and black vanilla ice cream—novelties that have been frequent stars on patrons' Instagram stories.
Come Valentine's Day, Collazo says to expect some special date-night options, such as a rosé flavor or red cones for the holiday. Can't choose what to get? Consider a flight with five varieties. "They make a perfect post-dinner date treat," Collazo says.
+ 3 Other San Antonio Ice Creams to Try
Boozy's Creamery + Craft
The Southtown ice cream shop offers liqueur-infused ice creams, family-friendly flavors and dairy-free options served in cones, cups and inventive shakes. 711 S. St. Mary's St., facebook.com/boozyscreamery
Rolling Rey's
Select a flavor and watch it rolled out in front of you. The flavor of the month includes a myriad of toppings that never disappoint. 2026 Babcock Road, Ste. 103, rollingreysicecream.com
This shop's natural ice creams and gelatos are made with alkaline water, lactose-free or coconut milk plus fresh fruits and flavors that can be enjoyed by the scoop, in fruit cups or as part of a shake. 8053 Callaghan Road, freshesticecreams.com
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