Come to this country dairy farm in Chesapeake for a tasty frozen treat from a bygone era.
No cake or pie could possibly top the simple perfection of a midsummer’s day ice-cream cone from Bergey’s Dairy Farm in Chesapeake, Virginia. The soft, rich, frozen treat tastes unbelievably fresh and clean, as if the milk that made it just came out of the cow. At this dairy, there’s a strong chance it did.
For 65 years, this tiny operation has been producing some of the highest quality milk in Virginia. Three generations of Bergeys continue an enterprise almost unheard of in the dairy industry: They actually milk their cows, process their own milk, and deliver it straight to the customer. That’s why a single scoop of their ice cream on a sugar cone tastes so good.
“The ice cream at Bergey’s is a taste of home, of America,” says Bill Church, a 40-year resident of the Chesapeake area. Bill has been bringing his son and daughter to the original store for 20 years, and he still hasn’t found a flavor he doesn’t like. “You can just close your eyes and pick. It’s all good.” Many of the varieties are old-fashioned too. Colonial Custard’s flavor resembles frozen eggnog. Fudge Ripple keeps a white appearance but hides a deep chocolate soul. No wonder older generations love them so much-their fresh ingredients make modern marshmallow- and candy-filled varieties taste like trash.
The true secret behind Bergey’s success is the quality of the milk. The cows are happy here. Guests can see that for themselves by wandering the farm. Tots love to pet the cows and can even feed the calves by bottle at 4 p.m. Milkings, open to the public, take place at 4:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and there’s where the udder hits the road. “What makes our ice cream taste better is that our milk has more food solids, proteins, and minerals,” says Leonard Bergey. Not content with a herd of Holsteins, the most common milk producers, Bergey’s also owns Jerseys, Ayrshires, and Guernseys. These bovines account for that extra something special in the ice cream.
Don’t miss seeing the old bottling equipment, still in use. Glass bottles full of cream line milk clink on 1,500 front porches in these parts. A half-gallon, delivered, costs just $2.91. And Bergey’s also delivers whole milk, reduced-fat milk, skim milk, butter-milk, chocolate milk, strawberry milk, whipping cream, eggnog, Colonial Custard drink, fresh butter, and eggs.
But our favorite remains that fantastic Fudge Ripple.
Bergey’s Dairy Farm: 2221 Mount Pleasant Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322; (757) 482-4711.