When you are craving ice cream, nothing else will do. Ice cream isn’t something you think of when you need something sweet, or craving something creamy; when the ice cream cravings hit, it’s got to be cold, delicious ice cream and that’s it.

A smoothie is nice when you’re kind of hungry and a yogurt takes the edge off when you want something light and maybe a little sweet but when it’s time for ice cream, look out. Not even Ben and Jerry could come between a craving between me and mocha almond fudge. If the ice cream man shows up on my street and there are kids between me and the parked truck of goodness, all bets are off. I’m faster and they are merely height-challenged obstacles. Fortunately for the neighborhood, I have been off on a mission for ice cream greatness and I come back victorious and needing to perhaps think about jogging more. From the East Bay to San Jose, here are my picks for the best scoop in town.