FOOD & DRINKMountain Views News Saturday, March 28, 2026 
88 FOOD & DRINKMountain Views News Saturday, March 28, 2026 
88 
Peter A. Dills 

L.A.’s King of Cuisine

https://
podlink/1116885432 


HANDEL’S — THE TAITTINGER 
CHAMPAGNE OF ICE CREAM 

Timing, as they say inboth radio and dining, is 
everything. And with the 
thermometer pushing 
toward 85 degrees in 
Pasadena this weekend, 
there may be no better 
moment to talk about 
ice cream. 

I’ll admit it — for a man 
who has spent decades 
talking about steaks, 
martinis, and white-
tablecloth restaurants, I don’t recall ever writing a 
proper review about an ice cream shop. Sure, I’ve had 
my share of supermarket pints and late-night sweet 
tooth emergencies, but a destination scoop? That’s 

new territory… even for Peter Dills. 


Recently, I found myself at Handel’s in Lower Hastings Ranch, and like many of my food 
discoveries around town, I felt as if I had personally uncovered a gem — even if the rest 
of the country already knows about it. Some call it a national phenomenon. I call it a very 
good reason to take a short Pasadena drive on a warm afternoon. 

Now here’s how I judge ice cream, and this may sound a bit unconventional.
I judge it by how heavy it is. 

On a hot San Gabriel Valley day, lighter ice cream melts like a weak handshake. Heavy ice 
cream — dense, rich, full-bodied — holds its ground. It lasts longer, satisfies more, and in 
my book, delivers real value. To put it in terms my listeners understand, Handel’s is the 
Taittinger Champagne of ice cream. You may pay a little more than you would at Baskin-
Robbins or for a carton at the grocery store, but like a fine bottle of bubbly, the difference 
is immediate and unmistakable. 

To make sure I wasn’t just having a “Rocky Road moment,” I did a little homework. Based 
on customer favorites and the sampler trays flying out the service window, some of Handel’s 
most popular flavors include the rich Buckeye — chocolate and peanut butter in perfect 
harmony — the decadent Graham Central Station, classic Mint Chocolate Chip, creamyBanana Cream Pie, and a bold Coffee Chocolate Chip that could easily double as dessert 
and after-dinner drink. 

True to form, I trusted my instinct — and ordered the Rocky Road. It delivered exactly 
what I was looking for: chocolate depth, real substance, and enough body to make you slow 
down and enjoy the experience rather than chase a melting scoop down your wrist. 

What also impressed me was the efficiency. This is still a service business, and Handel’s 
understands that customers don’t want to stand around watching their dessert turn into 
soup. The line moves briskly, the staff works with confidence, and you’re in and out quickly 

— cone or cup in hand — before the Pasadena sun can do much damage. 
Ice cream may not be fine dining, but the fundamentals never change. 
Quality matters. Value matters. Service always matters. 

And when Peter Dills finds a place that delivers on all three — even if it’s just a cone on an 
85-degree day in Pasadena — it’s worth talking about. 

IN SUMMARY 

Rich, heavy, high-quality ice cream paired with fast, efficient service makes Handel’s a cool 
treat that rises well above the average scoop — and a sweet stop worth the drive across town. 
Writers Note: Dang it, I didn’t mind leaving a tip it was so good! Handel’s Homemade 
3405 E. Foothill Pasadena Pro Tip enter on the side street. 


HAM SALAD 
PERFECT FOR EASTER 
DINNER LEFTOVERS 

Ingredients 

• 2 scallions, finelychopped 
• 4 oz. cream cheese, at 
room temperature 
• 2 Tbsp. finely choppedfresh flat-leaf parsley 
• 1 Tbsp. Creole mustard 
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper 
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper 
• 8 oz. smoked fully cooked ham, finely chopped 
Directions 

1. Combine cheese and seasonings:
2. Stir together cream cheese, scallions, parsley, Creole mustard, cayenne pepper, and black pepper in a medium bowl. 
3. Add ham: 
Fold in 8 ounces of ham. Serve with bread, crackers or celery sticks. 
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