You’ve seen the photos. You know the ones. There’s the aviators, the grin, and that ubiquitous waffle cone. Honestly, the image of Joe Biden eating ice cream has become such a permanent fixture in the American zeitgeist that it’s almost a caricature at this point.
People love it. Or they hate it. It depends on which side of the political fence you're sitting on. But why? How did a dairy-based snack become a central pillar of a modern political identity?
More Than Just a Snack
Let's get one thing straight: Joe Biden really, really loves ice cream. This isn't some focus-grouped marketing ploy. He’s famously stated, "I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. But I eat a lot of ice cream."
In 2017, while speaking at Cornell University, he joked that he was the only Irishman people knew who didn't drink but was essentially addicted to the cold stuff. It's his thing.
The Favorite Flavor Debate
If you ask the former President what his favorite is, the answer is usually chocolate chip. Not mint chip. Not rocky road. Just classic, old-school chocolate chip.
But it’s not always that simple. Take his 2024 visit to Van Leeuwen’s in New York with Seth Meyers. On that specific Monday, he was spotted with mint chip. That caused a minor stir among the "purists" who track his orders.
Then there’s the Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams connection. Jeni Britton Bauer, the founder, is actually on a first-name basis with him. She even created a "White House Chocolate Chip" flavor in his honor—a vanilla base with chocolate flakes and chocolate-covered waffle cone bits.
He once called a pint of Jeni’s his "performance enhancer" before a big debate.
The Political Optics of a Waffle Cone
When we talk about Joe Biden eating ice cream, we’re rarely just talking about calories. It’s about "the brand."
For his supporters, the ice cream stops are moments of "Joe being Joe." It’s relatable. It’s the "average guy" who wants a treat after a long day of work. It’s a way to humanize a career politician who has spent over half a century in the public eye.
However, the optics aren't always great.
When Timing Matters
Think back to February 2024. Biden was at that Van Leeuwen shop in NYC. While he was holding a cone, a reporter asked him about a potential ceasefire in Gaza.
He answered. He said he hoped for one by the following Monday.
But the image of the President of the United States discussing a devastating international conflict while licking an ice cream cone didn't sit well with everyone. Critics called it "tone-deaf" and "tactless." Journalists like Mairav Zonszein and Gregg Carlstrom pointed out that the casual nature of the setting clashed harshly with the gravity of the subject matter.
It was a classic example of how a "relatable" habit can suddenly look like a liability in the wrong context.
A Presidential Tradition?
Believe it or not, Biden isn't the first Commander-in-Chief to have a dairy obsession.
- George Washington reportedly spent over $200 on ice cream in a single summer back in 1790. That's thousands in today's money.
- Thomas Jefferson brought back a vanilla custard recipe from France that is still in the Library of Congress.
- Ronald Reagan actually made July "National Ice Cream Month" in 1984.
So, in a way, Biden is just leaning into a very old-school American tradition.
The Logistics of a High-Stakes Scoop
What’s it actually like when he visits a shop? It’s not exactly a "pop in and out" situation.
When he visited a Baskin-Robbins in Kensington, Maryland, in July 2025, the Secret Service had to sweep the shop first. You've got guys with earpieces standing next to the sprinkles.
The shop owners usually love it, though. VJ, who has run that Kensington shop for over thirty years, was still buzzing about the visit days later. He mentioned that Biden took a selfie with his phone.
It’s a big deal for a small business. A "Biden visit" is basically a permanent stamp of approval that lives on their Yelp page forever.
Why We Can't Stop Talking About It
It’s weirdly polarizing.
Some see the ice cream as a symbol of a simpler America—a nostalgic, post-war vibe that fits his "Middle-Class Joe" persona. Others see it as a distraction or a sign of being out of touch with the "seriousness" required of the office.
But at the end of the day, it's just ice cream.
Whether it's a double scoop of salted peanut butter with chocolate flecks from Jeni’s or a simple chocolate-vanilla swirl from a Dairy Queen in Ohio, the habit is likely here to stay as long as he’s in the public eye.
Actionable Takeaways for the Curious
If you want to eat like the 46th President, here is how you do it:
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- Go for the Crunch: Biden is a fan of texture. Look for flavors with chocolate flakes or "flecks" rather than large chunks.
- The Waffle Cone is Mandatory: He rarely goes for a cup. It’s almost always a cone, usually a waffle one.
- Check Out the Shops: If you’re in DC or traveling through the Midwest, these are his verified stops:
- Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (Multiple locations, but the Capitol Hill one is a favorite).
- Graeter’s (A Cincinnati staple; he loves their chocolate chip).
- Salt & Straw (He’s been spotted at the Portland location).
- Franklin Fountain in Philadelphia (He’s a fan of their old-school vibe).
If you’re looking to replicate the "White House" experience at home, grab a pint of high-quality Madagascar vanilla and stir in some fine dark chocolate shavings. It’s simple, classic, and—honestly—pretty hard to argue with.