Grand opening is tomorrow, September 24, 2026, and the first 100 people in line when they open at 11 AM will get free Handel’s ice cream for a year. Even if you miss the first 100, they’ll have prizes going all weekend.
Eagle officially has a new ice cream spot! Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is now open at 1581 E State St., and I got to stop by for a VIP preview to try a few flavors and get a little behind-the-scenes look before opening.
If you’ve never been to a Handel’s before, this isn’t the kind of place where the ice cream shows up already made and gets scooped out of the freezer. They’ve been making ice cream since 1945, and each batch is still made fresh in the store. They’re also known for very generous scoops, lots of mix-ins and a flavor board that makes choosing just one almost impossible. I had heard about Handel’s before, but this was my first time really getting to try it, and I completely understand why people get excited when one opens nearby.
What Makes Handel’s Different
One of the biggest things that stood out to me is just how many options there are. The Eagle shop has around 48 flavors on the board at a time, with flavors rotating throughout the year, so this is definitely not a “vanilla, chocolate or strawberry” situation.
They’re also not shy with the mix-ins or the portion sizes. The scoops are BIG, and a lot of the flavors are loaded with actual pieces of whatever is supposed to be in them instead of just having a hint of flavor.
Beyond a regular cone or cup, you can also get waffle bowls, sundaes, shakes and vegan sorbets. And maybe most importantly for those nights when you want ice cream without actually getting out of the car, the Eagle location has a drive-thru. Handel’s also says its ice cream has been made fresh in each store since 1945 and has received national recognition, including being named the No. 1 ice cream by National Geographic Magazine. So while the Eagle shop is brand new, the brand itself definitely isn’t.
The Flavors I Loved
Obviously I had to try a few.
My two favorites were Pistachio and Cotton Candy, which are very different choices but both so good. The Cotton Candy is the fun one and exactly the kind of flavor I would have picked as a kid, except now I can justify ordering three giant scoops of it as “research.”
The Pistachio was probably my favorite of everything I tried. That’s the one I already know I’ll be ordering again. And this is where having 48 flavors becomes slightly dangerous because there were so many others I wanted to try. I feel like Handel’s is going to be one of those places where I go in fully intending to order the same thing again and then completely change my mind after staring at the menu for five minutes.
If you’re someone who likes a lot of texture and mix-ins in your ice cream, there are plenty of options here that go way beyond a basic scoop.
A Little Behind the Scenes
One of the coolest parts of the VIP event was getting to see a little bit of what goes into making everything.
I got to watch them dip the waffle bowls in chocolate and then coat them in toppings, which is one of those little details you probably wouldn’t think much about when you’re just ordering at the counter. Seeing it happen right there definitely made me want one.
That fresh-made element is really the thing Handel’s seems to build everything around. Between the ice cream itself, the waffle bowls and all the different mix-ins, there are a lot of ways to make your order completely different every time you go. And considering the size of the scoops, I would probably recommend going hungry.
Where to Find Handel’s in Eagle
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is now open at 1581 E State St. in Eagle, Idaho.
With the huge flavor selection, generous scoops, waffle bowls, shakes, sundaes, vegan sorbets and a drive-thru, I have a feeling this is going to become a pretty popular stop in Eagle.
I’m already planning my next Pistachio cone, although with 48 flavors staring at me, we’ll see if I actually stick with it. If you’re looking for a new sweet treat around the Treasure Valley, add this one to your list.
XOXO,
Hi, I’m Cait, the Boise content creator behind Boise Socialite. I love sharing hidden gems, local eats, and fun things to do around Boise. From cocktails and brunch to events and weekend adventures, Boise Socialite is your guide to discovering what makes this city so special.
