Cold Front, St. Paul, Minnesota

Affogato Adventures with Dr. James and Dr. Pamela

Hello, fellow Affogato Adventurers!

Sometimes one dessert stop leads to another.

Affogato Adventures at Cold Front

Dr. James and I were in St. Paul with Bella and Jayson. Bella suggested stopping for a cookie at Insomnia Cookies. We went, but I was hoping, of course, they might have affogatos.

They did not. 🙁

But that didn't stop Dr. James from enjoying himself. A regular cookie simply would not do. In true Funologist fashion, he went for a giant Cookie'wich filled with ice cream.

Meanwhile, I was holding out.

I wanted an affogato.

The Search Was On

So while James was enjoying his giant cookie-and-ice-cream creation, I started searching for an affogato nearby.

That is when I found, Cold Front.

The menu said they had affogatos. My only thought was, Please let this menu be accurate.

A few minutes later, we walked in and knew we had found something special.

Affogato Adventures at Cold Front

Cold Front

Cold Front is a full-fledged ice cream, coffee, and soda shop with an extensive menu and a wonderful old-fashioned fountain feel.

There is a large counter where you can sit, simple décor, and just enough playful “brrr, it’s cold” personality to fit the name. One of my favorite touches is the bicycle mounted above the doorway, decorated with bright lights.

The whole shop feels cheerful, nostalgic, and easy to enjoy.

Affogato Adventures at Cold Front

And Then Came the Affogato

James ordered my affogato for me.

Then he ordered one for himself.

Yes, even after the giant Cookie'wich.

His explanation?

“There is always room for an affogato.”

That may officially be one of our Affogato Adventures rules now.

Affogato Adventures at Cold Front

And let me tell you—the affogatos at Cold Front are delicious.

They are generous, beautifully balanced, and easily among the best-tasting affogatos we have had. Both the ice cream and the espresso stand on their own, which makes the combination even better. Cold Front serves Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream and coffee from Backstory Coffee Roasters, and the pairing works.

Affogato Adventures at Cold Front

When we first visited, we also noticed something that made us smile: the affogato was priced about the same as a scoop of ice cream. Add espresso to the experience? Yes, please.

We Loved It Enough to Go Back

And back.

And back again.

Cold Front quickly became one of those places we do not just recommend we actually return to regularly.

Of course, by our second trip, Dr. James had already sniffed out another nearby stop.

Pizza Entered the Adventure

That is how The Italian Pie Shoppe became part of our St. Paul affogato routine.

The slices were HUGE, and when we went, they were around $6. While you wait, old cartoons play—think Betty Boop and Tom and Jerry which somehow makes the whole stop even more fun.

So now a “quick trip to St. Paul for an affogato” has a funny way of becoming:

Pizza.

A cookie.

And an affogato.

Because apparently we have no interest in doing dessert adventures halfway. LOL.

Then the Affogato Went Turtle

On one recent visit to Cold Front, the ice cream barista suggested that we try one of Cold Front’s Ice Cream’s unforgettable flavors: “This $@&! Just Got Serious®.”

It is salted caramel ice cream loaded with chocolate sea-salt fudge and salted cashews.

Put that under hot espresso and—oh my goodness.

The affogato went turtle.

Chocolate. Caramel. Coffee. Creamy ice cream.

So incredibly good! YUMMY!!!!

Would We Go Back?

Absolutely.

Cold Front has become one of our favorite St. Paul affogato stops. The shop is charming, the menu gives you plenty to explore, and the affogatos have never disappointed us.

If you are going to be anywhere near St. Paul, we encourage you to check it out.

And while you are there…what the heck?

Grab a cookie at Insomnia Cookies.

Find yourself a giant slice at The Italian Pie Shoppe.

Then finish the adventure with an affogato at Cold Front.

We certainly would.