Once again, hard to celebrate Independence Day when America is so unhinged and being run into the ground. No cookouts or fireworks for us (I literally don’t know anyone who even has cookouts for us to be invited to anyway) but there was one thing I wanted to do, no exceptions: I wanted to get some motherfucking ice cream because it was 95 degrees out.

I had recently watched some Pittsburgh ice cream video on WQED’s YouTube channel and one of the places I had never heard of: Cookie Cookie in McKees Rocks. I really liked the interview they did with the owner and the fact that they make their own cookies as well so you can make your own ice cream sandwich. Then I went to their Instagram and saw this:

!!! This is a safe space.

And then the owner immediately began chatting with me about my cat tattoos and told me that she was watching some video recently about people who had near death experiences and how they all said that they saw their pets when they crossed over and that she fully believes we’ll all be reunited with our pets when our day comes and I realized that my eyes were welling up hardcore, especially when I was showing her my Bambi tattoo, how her name was really Drew but then Chooch started calling her Bambi and it just stuck, and then yep, there’s that familiar stinging sensation on the ol’ eyeballs.

Oof.

This woman, though — you know how sometimes you meet someone and it just feels very comfortable and natural, like you can talk about anything and it just feels so warm and safe? That’s how I felt there. And for the rest of the day, I kept talking about how much I loved it there.

Anyway! We got the immigrant taco and an ice cream sandwich made with Snickerdoodles and stracciatella ice cream. YEAH BOI, this was exactly what I needed after being beaten down all week by 90+ degree weather and stifling wet humidity. Goddammit, it was so satisfying. The ice cream sandwich only got more delicious as the ice cream soaked into the cookies (this was actually one of the shop’s suggested pairings called Afternoon in Naples, BTW – they have a bunch of ice cream sandwich flavors that you can choose from in case you’re too overwhelmed to concoct your own). If we hadn’t also gotten that taco, I really feel like I could have beasted this entire sandwich on my own, no contest.

They also have non-dairy and GF options, btw!

That sandwich was so fucking good that I actually thought there was no way the taco could top it. Taco was like hold my marg.

I can’t explain it, but this was so decadent and refreshing at the same time. The coconut mango ice cream was tangy and bright, but then the ube whipped topping was super rich and creamy, and then the spices kick in and almost cleanse your palate in a way that you are desperate to take another bite. The combination was perfect, and what a great tribute to the immigrants and the flavors they brought to America. Imagine how bland it would be here without them, and this is all stuff that MAGA feels entitled to enjoy while simultaneously demanding the deportation of the people behind these ethnic flavors. I honestly can’t stand it.

So yeah, while some of the country was out there being blatant white supremacists and worshipping their Dear Leader, we opted to not partake in any 250 birthday celebrations. The only thing I was ready to celebrate yesterday was HIS DEATH but that motherfucker JUST WON’T DIE, WHY WON’T HE DIE.

Anyway, if you live in Pgh, go to Cookie Cookie for amazing ice cream and cookies and chats with good people. This is a safe space. I mean, please just read their mission statement!

Cookie Cookie Ice Cream isn’t just an ice cream store – it’s the answer to a question over five years in the asking. When Connie’s daughter Hannah was in high school, she wanted to work in food service, but there was no restaurant anywhere near her high school that would work with special needs transition students. Now, two years after her graduation, she created Cookie Cookie Ice Cream to be what they couldn’t find before. Cookie Cookie Ice Cream works with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to train students from area schools to make and sell cookies, coffee, and ice cream.

Cookie Cookie Ice Cream is dedicated to providing the community with satisfyingly sweet treats while creating fulfilling, meaningful work to teens and adults with disabilities. 70% of our supported staff is neuro-diverse. Our store promotes self-advocacy, community, and dignity for a population that is frequently denied these opportunities. Everyone who enters our shop leaves with a sense of comfort, inclusion, and usually a cookie or six.