The top 10 ice cream shops in North Jersey, ranked

I'm going to do something that's going to have me on the chopping block.

By noon, I'm going to have a slew of emails proclaiming me a "stupid writer," a flood of Instagram messages accusing me of being "paid off," a handful of passive aggressive side-eyes on the sidewalks of Verona.

But, if teetering on the precipice of getting canceled for one edgy opinion isn't the sign of a good journalist, I don't know what is.

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(Because I'd rather toe the line of being too risky then, God forbid, boring.)

In a recent study by Innerbody Research, New Jersey was named America's most "ice cream obsessed state." A past March Madness bracket I did to determine your favorite scoop shop in the region supported that find, as the elimination of certain hometown heroes resulted in internet uproar — and the behaviors I described above.

This summer, however, I'm older, wiser, bolder and more equipped to handle an avalanche of disproportionate backlash; so let's have some fun.

In my professional (yet subjective) food writer's opinion, these are the top 10 ice cream shops in North Jersey, ranked.

10. Beenie's Ice Cream, Morristown

Unique, sometimes outlandish, ice cream flavors have entertained guests at Beenie's Ice Cream since the Morristown shop opened nearly a decade ago. In certain scoops, ribbons of breakfast cereal nodded to childhood mornings, while other creations were loaded with as many different snack cookies as a shopper could find in Wawa.

No one was surprised, then, when the team dropped a sparkling gold Taylor Swift scoop, a buttercream-swirled (green) Minecraft tub, or — for the eclipse — dark, black desserts in even darker cones.

Unconventionality aside, though, Beenie's treats are delicious. My personal go-to is the Reese's With-a-Spoon (Reese's Pieces, Reese's Cups, peanut butter), topped with extra peanut butter sauce and crushed Oreos.

Go: 38 Morris St., Morristown; 862-260-9221, beeniesicecream.com.

9. True Vine Ice Cream Shoppe, Hopatcong

At just over two years-old, True Vine Ice Cream Shoppe is one of the newest creameries to join the North Jersey scoop scene, but, with ice cream aficionados Ken and Cecilia Steup at the helm, the charming mom-and-pop has served nothing less than perfection since the day it cut the ribbon.

Whereas competing shops offer old-world taste or new-world inventiveness, True Vine whips up one-of-a-kind tubs that do both; as each flavor is delightfully churned, yet infused with 21st century tastes. By the time they hit the case, all varieties have received the most meticulous care.

As the Steups are stellar examples of Jersey's "ice cream obsessed," their flavor selection is constantly rotating (so I can't tell you what to order today). I will say, though, that past varieties have ranged from Salted Caramel Churro to Oatmeal Raisin Cookie, with Cookie Butter being particularly impressive.

Go: 446 River Styx Road, Hopatcong; 973-234-5266, truevineicecream.com.

8. Dover Dairy Maid, Dover

A trip to Dover Dairy Maid is like stepping into a Morris County time machine, as the cash-only shop has been serving the region since the mid-70s. Swing by on a Saturday night, and spy the inner light illuminating the lot outside; the way a ceramic Christmas village piece does the patch of white felt "snow" beneath it. Order a soft-serve swirl, and be connected to five decades of locals who've done so before.

The retro vibes of the place — in conjunction with the quality of its scoops — have kept regulars returning; first with their dates, next with their kids and, recently, with grandchildren.

Should you be unfamiliar with the spot, then, I'd recommend visiting soon; starting with a chili dog at the equally-famed Dover Grill (next door), and finishing the night with a wafer cone of Blueberry Cheesecake.

Go: 240 Route 46, Dover; 973-366-1650, doverdairymaid.com.

7. Guernsey Crest Ice Cream Co., Paterson

The ultra-smooth texture of Guernsey Crest's premium ice cream makes every cone a true North Jersey delicacy. Order the Chocolate Fudge Crunch, and note the way the crumbles punctuate the silky scoops, or spring for Cookies and Cream, and let the Oreos get soft in the slowly-melting cream.

From Strawberry Cheesecake to Banana Pudding, there isn't a bad flavor on the menu. The limited-edition Peanut Butter and Jelly, though, is a must-try (when available), and the holiday season's Graham Fudgekin (pumpkin pie ice cream with fudge swirls) is another to watch for.

Go: 134 19th Ave., Paterson; 973-742-4620, instagram.com/guernseycrest.

6. Diane's Dairy, Towaco

Diane's Dairy is tucked in a strip mall in a residential neighborhood; if you're not looking for it, you'll miss it. Be in the know, however, and spend your evenings indulging in some of the thickest scoops the state has to offer.

The first time I went to Diane's, I snapped my plastic spoon on a hefty serving of Nutella Cheesecake. Today, I've learned to let the decadent flavors thaw, but exercising restraint when staring at a serving of Milk & Cookies is never easy.

Go: 446 Main Road, Towaco; 973-265-4620, instagram.com/dianesdairy.

5. Curly's, Riverdale

There's something about those old-school, roadside ice cream joints that seem to make generously-portioned cones taste better. For whatever reason, braving the heat in the summer (or shivering at the window in the winter) is never a question; if the scoop shop looks like a hut off the shoulder of a country route, you know it's going to be good.

At Curly's Ice Cream, that psychology could easily be at play — its striped blue awning, neon open sign and sliding glass come straight from a 50s postcard.

Eat blindfolded, though, and the spot's frozen desserts are just as noteworthy as its magnetic vibes.

Go: 30 Route 23, Riverdale; 973-839-0198, curlysicecream.com.

4. Denville Dairy, Denville

Vanilla Crunch Swirl, Graham Slam and Obi Wan Cannoli are phrases lodged in core of every Denville kid's being. Iconic flavors coming from an even more iconic shop, the frosty scoops are as common in a local's diet as vegetables, pasta and a daily multivitamin. Following any success, or curing any need for a pick-me-up, a Denville Dairy scoop or two is the name of the game.

When I go to the 60 year-old shop, I order the Oreo Cream, which, with two tubs always on rotation, is the most popular flavor in the case.

Another standout is the Taste of Autumn, which wows the fall crowd with pumpkin, caramel and praline crunch.

Go: 34 Broadway, Denville; 973-627-4214, denvilledairy.com.

3. Van Dyk's, Ridgewood

Cash-only requirements, an ATM with a fee, and lines out the door has never dissuaded me from visiting Ridgewood landmark Van Dyk's. What waiting takes out of me, the reward of Graham Cracker Cheesecake, Salted Caramel Truffle and Peanut Butter Cookies and Cream returns tenfold.

For first time visitors, I will warn you; there's no place to eat on site, barely any space to wait in the building and service occasionally leaves much to be desired (but, hey, shifts that busy can frustrate anyone).

Don't leave.

In Bergen County, or the near radius, you won't find ice cream remotely as good — or affordable, for the serving.

Go: 145 Ackerman Ave., Ridgewood; 201-444-1429, vandyksicecream.com.

2. Cliff's Homemade Ice Cream, Ledgewood

I like chunky ice cream.

A Ben & Jerry's girl, I love it when my scoops are 50% cream, 50% mix-ins, with a high "stuff" ratio making my pints almost chewable. DIY frozen yogurt spots were my childhood playground, while a Toasted Almond Bar (or Candy Center Crunch) was my ice cream truck treat-of-choice.

And, as such, I love Cliff's of Ledgewood.

Offering classic flavors and "Fantasty Flavors" side by side, the 50 year-old must-visit has loaded and extra-loaded scoops on the menu, and its fudge, peanut butter sauce and house special sundaes are second-to-none.

It also boasts a wooded seating area with picnic tables, which — as you savor Huckleberry Buckle and Maple Bourbon Chocolate — will send you straight back to summer camp.

Go: 1475 Route 46, Ledgewood; 973-584-9721, cliffsicecream.com.

1. Holsten's Ice Cream, Bloomfield

Some people visit Holsten's for its connection to "The Sopranos" (the finale was filmed in one of its vintage booths), others for its 1930s soda fountain vibes.

For many, the confectionary/grill is an easy place to grab dinner and dessert at once, while history buffs find it a Jersey timepiece. Some visitors just stop in for the hype.

Strip away the retro atmosphere, pop culture photo-ops, and — heck — even take the mix-ins out of the thick, luxurious scoops.

Give me one simple spoon of vanilla (in the dark, against all competitors in the region) and the acclaimed Essex County powerhouse has the best ice cream in the top half of the state.

Go: 1063 Broad St., Bloomfield; 973-338-7091, holstens.com.

Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: The top 10 ice cream shops in North Jersey, ranked